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 21 February 1958) is a talented singer and guitarist. He is most famous for being the lead singer of the band Stiff Little Fingers. Jake has also played with other groups like Jake Burns and the Big Wheel, 3 Men + Black, and as a solo artist.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jake Burns was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on February 21, 1958. He grew up in an area called Joanmount in Ballysillan. His mother worked as a seamstress, making clothes. His father was a machinist in a factory that made textile machinery. Jake's father also held socialist views, which means he believed in fairness and equality for everyone. These ideas influenced Jake as he grew up.
Before he discovered punk music, Jake enjoyed listening to artists like Rory Gallagher, Dr. Feelgood, Graham Parker, and Bob Marley. These musicians helped shape his early interest in music.
Jake Burns's Music Career
Starting with Stiff Little Fingers
Jake Burns began 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. Later, Gordon Blair left to join another band called Rudi. That's when Ali McMordie joined Highway Star. Around this time, the band discovered punk music, which changed their style.
For a short time, they called themselves the Fast. However, they found out another band already had 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 active since 1977. They took a break from 1983 to 1987, but then got back together. Since then, they have released ten studio albums.
Solo Projects and Other Bands
In 1981, Jake Burns tried acting in a TV show called Iris in the Traffic, Ruby in the Rain. The show was part of the BBC's Play For Today series. 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 called Jake Burns and the Big Wheel. Jake was the singer and guitarist. The band also had Steve Grantley on drums, Sean Martin on bass guitar, and Pete Saunders on keyboards. Big Wheel released three singles: "On Fortune Street," "She Grew Up," and "Breathless." Years later, in 2002, a collection of their songs called On Fortune Street was released.
In 1987, Jake decided to end Big Wheel. Stiff Little Fingers then reformed. Jake mentioned they needed money to travel back to Ireland for Christmas.
From about 2001 to 2005, Jake worked on a special project called 3 Men + Black. He teamed up with Pauline Black from the band the Selecter. This project involved touring with three male artists from the late 1970s and early 1980s. They would play acoustic versions of their famous songs and share stories about how they wrote them. Many different musicians joined these concerts over time, including Bruce Foxton and Eric Faulkner.
On March 27, 2006, Jake Burns released his first solo album. It was called ... Again.
In 2009, Jake started a Chicago punk rock supergroup called the Nefarious Fat Cats. A supergroup is a band made up of famous musicians from other bands. This group played music to raise money for local charities. Some notable members included John Haggerty and Joe Principe. Jake also contributed guitar and vocals to a song on the Black Sheep Band's charity record. This record helped raise money for Children's Memorial Hospital.
In 2016, Jake joined another acoustic supergroup called Dead Men Walking. This group was formed 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. This was after Stiff Little Fingers moved there. His first wife lived in Newcastle upon Tyne, so after they got married, Jake moved there. He lived in Newcastle for 16 years and became a big fan of the local football team, Newcastle United F.C.. 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 became a US citizen. He did this partly so he could vote in elections.
Music Releases
With Stiff Little Fingers
See Stiff Little Fingers#Discography for a full list.
With Jake Burns and the Big Wheel
- Albums
- On Fortune Street (2002), EMI
- Singles
- "She Grew Up" (1984)
- "On Fortune Street" (1985)
- "Breathless" (1987)
With 3 Men + Black
- Acoustic (2005)
With Dead Men Walking
- Unofficially Official: Live In Bristol 2016 (2016)
With Ruts DC and Kirk Brandon
- "Kill the Pain" (2017)
Solo Music
- Albums
- ... Again (2006), EMI
- Songs on other albums
- Poxmen of the Horslypse: A Tribute to Horslips (2017): "Warm Sweet Breath of Love"
