Jake Burns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jake Burns
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Burns, performing with Stiff Little Fingers in 2019
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Burns |
| Born | 21 February 1958 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Chrysalis, Rough Trade, Rigid Digits |
| Associated acts | Stiff Little Fingers (1977–1982, 1987–present) Jake Burns and the Big Wheel (1982–1987) |
John "Jake" Burns (born February 21, 1958) is a talented singer and guitarist. He is most famous for being the lead singer of the band Stiff Little Fingers. He has also worked on other music projects and released his own songs.
Contents
Early Life and Music
Jake Burns was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He grew up in an area called Ballysillan.
His mother worked as a tailor, making clothes. His father was a factory worker who made parts for machines. His dad also helped other workers by representing them, which taught Jake about fairness.
Before he discovered punk music, Jake enjoyed listening to artists like Rory Gallagher, Dr. Feelgood, Graham Parker, and Bob Marley.
Jake Burns' Music Career
Jake Burns started his music journey at Belfast Boys' Model School. He was part of a rock cover band called Highway Star. The band included Jake, Gordon Blair, Henry Cluney, and Brian Faloon.
Gordon Blair later left the group. Ali McMordie then joined the band. Around this time, the band discovered punk music.
Stiff Little Fingers
For a short time, the band was called The Fast. However, there was already a band with that name. So, they changed their name to Stiff Little Fingers. This name came from a song by the band the Vibrators.
Stiff Little Fingers has been making music since 1977. They took a break from 1983 to 1987. Since then, they have released ten studio albums and continue to perform.
Solo Work and Other Bands
In 1981, Jake Burns tried acting. He appeared in a BBC show called Iris in the Traffic, Ruby in the Rain. The rest of Stiff Little Fingers also appeared in the show, playing themselves.
After Stiff Little Fingers broke up in 1983, Jake formed a new band. It was called Jake Burns and the Big Wheel. The band included Jake on vocals and guitar, Steve Grantley on drums, Sean Martin on bass, and Pete Saunders on keyboards.
Big Wheel released three singles: "On Fortune Street", "She Grew Up", and "Breathless". A collection of their songs, also called On Fortune Street, came out in 2002.
In 1987, Jake ended Big Wheel. Stiff Little Fingers then got back together. Jake said they reformed because they needed money to go home to Ireland for Christmas.
From 2001 to 2005, Jake worked on a project called 3 Men + Black. He teamed up with Pauline Black from the Selecter. They toured with three male artists from the 1970s and 1980s. They played acoustic versions of their famous songs and shared stories about how they wrote them.
On March 27, 2006, Jake Burns released his first solo album. It was titled Drinkin' Again.
In 2009, Jake started a new group in Chicago called the Nefarious Fat Cats. This group was formed to raise money for local charities. Many well-known punk rock musicians joined this group.
Jake also played guitar and sang on a song for The Black Sheep Band's charity album. This album, A Chicago Punk Rock Collaboration for the Kids, Vol 1, raised money for Children's Memorial Hospital.
In 2016, Jake joined an acoustic group called Dead Men Walking. This group was started by Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny. It also included David Ruffy and John "Segs" Jennings from Ruts DC.
Personal Life
Jake Burns lived in London for over ten years, starting in 1978. His first wife lived in Newcastle upon Tyne. After they married, he moved to Newcastle. He lived there for 16 years and became a fan of the Newcastle United F.C. football team. He also strongly supports the Northern Ireland national football team.
Jake's second wife, Shirley, is American. They have lived in Chicago since 2004. Jake later became a US citizen. He wanted to be able to vote and participate in his new country's elections.
Discography
With Stiff Little Fingers
see Stiff Little Fingers#Discography
Jake Burns and the Big Wheel
- Albums
- On Fortune Street (2002), EMI
- Singles
- "She Grew Up" (1984), Rigid Digits – UK Independent no. 36
- "On Fortune Street" (1985), Rigid Digits
- "Breathless" (1987), Jive – UK no. 99
With 3 Men + Black
- Acoustic (2005), A2E
With Dead Men Walking
- Unofficially Official: Live In Bristol 2016 (2016)
With Ruts DC and Kirk Brandon
- "Kill the Pain" (2017), Westworld Recordings
Solo
- Albums
- Drinkin' Again (2006), EMI
- Compilation appearances
- Poxmen of the Horslypse: A Tribute to Horslips (2017), Shite'n'Onions: "Warm Sweet Breath of Love"
