John Bradbury (drummer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Bradbury
|
|
|---|---|
Bradbury performing live with The Specials in 2015
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Bradbury |
| Also known as | Brad, JB |
| Born | 16 February 1953 Coventry, England |
| Died | 28 December 2015 (aged 62) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1968–2015 |
| Labels |
|
John "Brad" Bradbury (born February 16, 1953 – died December 28, 2015) was a talented English drummer and music producer. He was most famous for being the drummer in the exciting English ska band called The Specials.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
John Bradbury grew up in Coventry, England. His dad, Bert, was a painter, and his mom, Joan, worked at a hospital. Joan was very passionate about fighting racism and supporting people who had moved to the country. Her strong beliefs really influenced John.
John became fascinated by drumming when he was a child. When he was eight, his mom bought him his first drum kit! To keep the noise down for the neighbors, his sister Jill said their mom even put egg boxes on the walls. John had three older sisters who introduced him to northern soul music, which was a big part of his early musical journey.
He went to Binley Park school in Coventry. Later, he studied fine art at Hull Art College. He also took a teaching course and taught art and English for a while. Back in Coventry, he became friends with other art students and music lovers, including Jerry Dammers. They even shared a house! John also met Terry Hall at a record store. Terry said John was like an older brother who looked out for him.
Joining The Specials
John Bradbury joined The Specials after their first drummer left. His first performance with the band was on their very first hit song, "Gangsters". This song was unique because it had a track by a completely different band, The Selecter, on the other side of the record. Interestingly, John was also the drummer on that Selecter song!
John was super important to The Specials. This amazing band became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They mixed Jamaican ska music with the energy of punk rock. They also bravely spoke out about important social issues, all while keeping a good sense of humor. They were a rare band that made great dance music with thoughtful messages.
John's drumming style was a key part of their sound. The band's bass player, Horace Panter, called it "attack drumming." John combined the powerful beat of northern soul with a reggae feel. He also loved to improvise, meaning his drumming was different and exciting every single night!
The Specials toured all over Britain, filling dance halls with fans who wore special hats and black-and-white sweaters to show their support. This was a time when groups like the National Front, who were against people from different backgrounds, tried to cause trouble at concerts. John once explained that if these troublemakers appeared, the band would stop playing, shine a spotlight on them, and the audience would help deal with the situation.
John helped The Specials become one of Britain's best bands in 1979. They were great both in their recordings and live shows. Many of their famous songs were written by Jerry Dammers, but John helped write popular songs like "Gangsters" and "Nite Klub." The band had seven songs reach the top 10 in the UK, including "Too Much Too Young" and "Ghost Town." The band split up in 1981, but John continued to work with Jerry Dammers in a group called The Special AKA. This group is famous for the classic political song "Nelson Mandela."
Jerry Dammers, the band's founder, said John was "highly intelligent" and had a "mischievous sense of humour." He added that John played drums with "incredible energy," which was a very important part of The Specials' sound. Singer Terry Hall simply called him "a great drummer."
JB's Allstars
After The Specials broke up, John Bradbury started his own band called JB's Allstars. This band was inspired by northern soul music. They released five singles, including their version of "Backfield in Motion" (1984), which made it onto the music charts. They also released "Alphabet Army" (1986), a song John wrote about how important teachers are.
Other Activities
For over 20 years, John took a break from the music spotlight. He spent time looking after his son, Elliot, while his wife, Emily, worked in fashion. During this time, he also worked on different projects, including computer programming.
The Specials Reunion
John Bradbury played a very important part in getting The Specials back together. Even without Jerry Dammers, the band made a triumphant return at the Bestival festival in 2008. They showed that they could still attract huge, excited crowds.
They went on many tours across the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia. In 2011, they filled Alexandra Palace in London with over 10,000 people singing along to "Ghost Town." This song still felt just as important then as it did in the early 1980s. Their live album, The Specials: More or Less (2012), showed that the band could still play their classic songs perfectly, and John was still a powerful force behind the drums. He said, "These songs have survived because they address issues that are still there."
In 2014, The Specials played three shows at the Roundhouse in London. In 2015, they toured Mexico and Chile. They even planned five shows in London for 2016. John was very fit and seemed as energetic as ever. He was also incredibly excited about the first new Specials songs since the 1980s.
Death
John Bradbury passed away on December 28, 2015, at the age of 62. This happened just as The Specials were starting a new music project. He had been talking excitedly about the new songs he was writing. Terry Hall said the band had "just started recording new material, including his songs."
John is survived by his wife, Emily, whom he married in 1987, and their son, Elliot, who was born in 1988.
Musical Influences
John Bradbury said that his main drumming influences were Al Jackson Jr. and Sly Dunbar.
