Jona Lewie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jona Lewie
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Lewie in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Lewis |
| Born | 14 March 1947 Southampton, England |
| Genres | Pop, rock, blues, new wave |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Stiff Records, Sonet Records, Union Square Music |
| Associated acts | Keef Trouble Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts, Bob Hall, Wreckless Eric, Lene Lovich, Wilgar Campbell, Martin Stone, Jools Holland |
Jona Lewie, whose real name is John Lewis, was born on March 14, 1947. He is an English singer, songwriter, and plays many instruments. He is most famous for his hit songs in the UK from 1980: "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" and "Stop the Cavalry".
Contents
Jona Lewie's Musical Journey
Starting Out in Music
Jona Lewie began his music career in 1963. He joined his first group, the Johnston City Jazz Band, while still in school. By 1968, he was known as a blues and boogie singer and piano player. In 1969, he started writing and recording his own songs. These songs appeared on albums like I Asked for Water She Gave Me... Gasoline. He was still known as John Lewis back then.
Joining Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts
In 1969, Jona met the blues band Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts. They played regularly at a club in London. He joined them as a singer and piano player. After they all finished college in 1970, the band became professional.
As part of the band, Jona Lewie appeared on TV in several European countries. In 1971, they even performed with famous blues musician Son House. They also supported Eric Clapton's band, Derek and the Dominos, on a tour in the UK.
Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
Jona stayed with Brett Marvin until 1973. During this time, he wrote a song called "Seaside Shuffle". This song became a big hit in 1972, reaching number 2 in the UK charts. It was released under the name Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs. Another song he wrote for Terry Dactyl, "On a Saturday Night", also charted in 1973.
Becoming a Solo Artist
In 1974, John Lewis decided to change his stage name to Jona Lewie. He wanted to avoid confusion with the famous department store and another jazz musician named John Lewis.
After leaving Terry Dactyl, Jona continued to write and record songs on his own. He released songs like "Piggy Back Sue" and "The Swan". These songs were often played on BBC Radio London. He also helped form a band called the Jive Bombers. They played at popular London venues but did not release any records.
His Love for Blues Piano
Even as he developed as a songwriter, Jona never forgot his blues roots. He played blues piano for albums by American blues singers like Arthur Crudup and Juke Boy Bonner. He also attended boogie-woogie piano parties. At one party, he played alongside famous pianists Ian Stewart and Bob Hall. They were inspired by the great American pianists of the 1940s.
"Elvis Presley Was the First Punk"
In 1977, Jona Lewie was in a pub when news broke that Elvis Presley had passed away. Jona was a big fan of Elvis. He felt very sad and went home to write a song called "Elvis Presley Was the First Punk".
Success with Stiff Records
Jona Lewie's career took off when he signed with Stiff Records in 1977. In 1980, he had a solo hit with "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties". He wrote this song with his friend Keef Trouble. The song became a Top 20 hit in the UK.
Later in 1980, he had his biggest UK hit, "Stop the Cavalry". This song was also very popular in Germany. In 1981, his song "Louise (We Get It Right)" reached number 2 in Australia. His songs "Vous et Moi" and "The Seed That Always Died" also became hits in France.
During the 1990s, Jona Lewie toured the UK as a guest of the Blues Band. He also performed at special events and appeared on radio and TV. In 2009, he played at the London Ukulele Festival. The next year, he toured with Captain Sensible and the Glitter Band.
Jona Lewie's Life
Jona Lewie was born in Southampton, England. His family was Jewish, and his mother was Scottish. He learned later that his biological father was a Jewish man who moved to Brooklyn, New York.
His grandmother was a classical pianist. She would play the piano for young Jona, and he often sang along to Elvis songs. When he was eight, his stepfather introduced him to the music of Fats Domino. Today, Jona Lewie lives in Streatham with his wife and child.
Jona Lewie's Music
Albums
- On the Other Hand There's a Fist (1978)
- Alias Jona Lewie (1979)
- Gatecrasher (1979)
- Heart Skips Beat (1982)
- Optimistic (1993)
- Are You Free Tuesday ? (2024)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AUS | AUT | BEL | FRA | GER | NLD | NZL | SWE | SWI | ||
| 1976 | "Cherry Ring" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1978 | "The Baby, She's on the Street" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| "Hallelujah Europa" (not released in UK) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 1979 | "God Bless Whoever Made You" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1980 | "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" | 16 | 21 | 5 | 22 | – | 23 | 30 | 3 | 7 | – |
| "Big Shot – Momentarily" | – | – | – | – | – | 73 | – | – | – | – | |
| "Stop the Cavalry" | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 4 | |
| 1981 | "Louise (We Get It Right)" | – | 2 | 14 | 22 | 27 | 30 | – | 24 | – | – |
| "Shaggy Raggy" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| "Re-arranging the Deckchairs on the Titanic" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| "I Think I'll Get My Hair Cut" | – | 71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 1983 | "Love Detonator" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2007 | "Stop the Cavalry" (re-issue) | 48 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2010 | "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" (re-issue) | 71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
See also
In Spanish: Jona Lewie para niños
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of Christmas hit singles (UK)
- Be Stiff
