Hometown: Cork, IE
Website: www.alexanderjohn.me.uk
Sounds Like: Ry Cooder, Ray Lamontagne, Bukka White, Gillian Welch, John Fogerty
Genre: Blues
“My Father raised me on a pedigree of Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater revival, the O’kanes and the great Rolling stones. It was only when i picked up a guitar some 10 to 15 years later that i appreciated just how great these guys really were and how right he was...”
Alex didn’t pick a note until he left school, a late developer but a fast learner. Mr. Robbie Fischer, a writer for Johnny Winter handed his first guitar to him and he went through a music college to broaden the knowledge and it wasn’t until he got a job whilst studying at the “Running Horse” Blues bar in Nottingham, England then he really began the “studying”.
“Some of the greatest blues artists and session players from all over the world passed through that pub. Working in that bar developed my ear for music and taught me about the blues. By the time i was done in Nottingham I was listening to the likes of Bukka White, Otis Redding, The Faces, Free, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters...”
A band finished up in the bar one night and were looking for a guitarist, so sure enough Alex made the journey south and ended up in Cornwall gigging some up tempo Rhythm and Blues around England. It was down there next to the sea that Alex started writing his own and developing his voice.
“I was listening to the likes of the grease band, the band and little feat during this time and kinda gave a countrified layer to the original blues foundation I had laid...”
It wasn’t until he moved back to his hometown of Gloucester having played the annual Blues festival that he was noticed by his first manager and made contact with promoters and agents in the south west, gigging around the south of England and making a name for himself.
“It’s a gift to be able to go through life’s ups and downs and turn these into songs that people enjoy...”
“Gloucestershire-based blues slide guitarist, singer and songwriter Alexander John is through to the regional finals of Live and Unsigned, a UK-wide competition for original and unsigned bands – ...Don’t miss the chance to support local talent...”
So Glos.magazine
"......Not sure if Alexander John has a day job but if he does it surely won't be for too much longer as he has bags of talent, with a smoky voice that should belong to a man 50 years his senior and some fabulous blues guitar playing......" - Paul Dallison "Crackerjack" review.
Paul Dallison - Crackerjack
"....Alex can really pick and is blessed with great vocal chops. His songs seem to pour out naturally and effortlessly and THAT's a real cute trick......" - Robbie Fischer - (Fischer wrote, "medicine man" for Johnny Winters Grammy nominated album, "let me in".)
Alexander John Website