Long John Baldry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Long John Baldry
Baldry in 1972
Background information
Birth name	John William Baldry
Born	(1941-01-12)12 January 1941 East Haddon, Northamptonshire, England
Died	21 July 2005(2005-07-21) (aged 64) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres	Blues blues rock folk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1957–2004
Labels	Decca United Artists Records Pye Records Warner GM Records ABC Records Casablanca Records Atlantic Records EMI Music Line Records Stony Plain Records Hypertension Music
Associated acts	Blues Incorporated R&B All Stars Steampacket Bluesology Elton John Rod Stewart

John William "Long John" Baldry (born January 12, 1941 – died July 21, 2005) was a famous English musician and actor. In the 1960s, he was one of the first British singers to perform blues music in clubs. He even shared the stage with legendary bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

Before they became superstars, Rod Stewart and Elton John were part of bands led by Baldry. He had big pop hits! His song "Let the Heartaches Begin" was number one in the UK in 1967. Later, his duet with Kathi McDonald called "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" reached number two in Australia in 1980.

Baldry moved to Canada in the late 1970s and lived there until he passed away. He kept making music and also did voice acting. You might know his voice as Dr. Ivo Robotnik from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog or KOMPLEX from Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

John William Baldry was born in East Haddon, England, on January 12, 1941. His father was a police officer. John grew up in Edgware, Middlesex, and went to Camrose Primary School.

He later attended Downer Grammar School. Baldry grew to be very tall, about 6 feet 7 inches (2 meters). This is how he got his famous nickname, "Long John."

Blues Bands of the 1960s

Long John Baldry was a regular performer in London clubs in the early 1960s. He often played at places like the Gyre & Gimble coffee lounge and the Bluesville R.& B. Club. He also performed weekly at Eel Pie Island on the Thames river.

In the early 1960s, Baldry sang with a group called Blues Incorporated. With them, he recorded the first British blues album in 1962, called R&B from the Marquee. Famous musicians like Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce, and Charlie Watts were also part of this band at different times.

When The Rolling Stones first played at the Marquee Club in July 1962, Baldry helped put together a band to open for them. He even introduced the Stones on their live album Got Live If You Want It! in 1966.

Baldry became friends with Paul McCartney after a show in Liverpool. This led to an invitation for Baldry to sing on a The Beatles TV special in 1964 called Around The Beatles. In the show, Baldry sang "Got My Mojo Workin'".

In 1963, Baldry joined another group, the Cyril Davies R&B All Stars. After Cyril Davies passed away in 1964, Baldry took over the band. It became "Long John Baldry and his ... Men."

This new band included Rod Stewart on vocals. Baldry discovered Stewart singing a Muddy Waters song at Twickenham Station. Long John Baldry became a regular performer at Eel Pie Island, leading different bands.

In 1965, the band changed again and became Steampacket. Baldry and Stewart were the male singers, and Julie Driscoll was the female singer. After Steampacket broke up in 1966, Baldry formed a new band called Bluesology.

This band featured Reg Dwight on keyboards. When Reg Dwight started his solo career, he took the name Elton John. He got "Elton" from Elton Dean (another band member) and "John" from John Baldry.

Solo Music Career

In 1967, Long John Baldry recorded a pop song called "Let the Heartaches Begin." This song became a number one hit in Britain! He followed it with another top 20 hit in 1968 called "Mexico."

In 1971, Elton John and Rod Stewart helped produce Baldry's album It Ain't Easy. This album became very popular and included the song "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll," which was a big success for him in the US. Baldry toured the US for the first time around this period.

Stewart and John also helped produce his 1972 album Everything Stops For Tea. In 1979, Baldry recorded the album Baldry's Out in Canada.

Moving to Canada and Later Career

After living in New York City and Los Angeles, Baldry moved to Dundas, Ontario, Canada, in 1980. He later settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, and became a Canadian citizen. He toured a lot in Canada and the US.

In 1976, he started working with Seattle singer Kathi McDonald. She became part of the Long John Baldry Band. In 1979, they recorded a version of The Righteous Brothers' song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." This song was a big hit in Australia in 1980, reaching number two.

Baldry continued to release albums. His 1997 album Right To Sing The Blues won a Juno Award (a big Canadian music award) for Blues Album of the Year.

In 2003, Baldry was a main performer on the British Legends of Rhythm and Blues UK tour. His last performance in the United States was in Columbus, Ohio, on July 19, 2004. Long John Baldry's final UK tour ended on November 13, 2004.

Health and Passing

Later in his life, Long John Baldry faced some health challenges. He suffered from severe gout, which affected his feet. He also had breathing problems.

In 1995, he had surgery for a bleeding stomach ulcer. After this, he stopped smoking. In 2002, he was diagnosed with osteoporosis in his spine and had hip replacement surgery.

In early 2005, Baldry became very ill with pneumonia. He was admitted to a hospital in March 2005. Despite efforts to help him, his condition worsened. Long John Baldry passed away on July 21, 2005, at the age of 64, due to a severe chest infection. He was surrounded by his friends and family.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilations

Singles

EPs

Other recordings

Performances on other albums

• (1960) 6 Out Of 4 ~ The Thames-Side Four - Folklore (F-EP/1) 'Live recording of the group with LJB on guitar and vocals.'
• (1962) R&B from the Marquee ~ Blues Incorporated - Decca (ACL 1130) 'Baldry provides lead vocals on three tracks including "How Long, How Long Blues".'
• (1970) The First Supergroup ~ The Steampacket - BYG Records (529.706) 'Recorded December 1965 the album features tracks with LJB on lead vocals'
• (1971) The First Rhythm & Blues Festival In England ~ Various Artists - BYG Records (529.705) 'Recorded live in February 1964; Baldy sings "2.19" and "Mojo Working"'
• (1971) Every Picture Tells A Story ~ Rod Stewart - Mercury (6338 063) 'LJB provides backing vocals on the title track and "Seems Like A Long Time".'
• (1972) Mar Y Sol: The First International Puerto Rico Pop Festival ~ Various Artists - Atco Records (SD 2-705) 'Baldry sings a live version of the self-penned "Bring My Baby Back To Me".'
• (1975) Dick Deadeye: Original Soundtrack ~ Various Artists - GM Records (GML 1018) 'Soundtrack to the animated film of the same name with LJB taking lead vocals on three tracks.'
• (1975) Sumar Á Sýrlandi ~ Stuðmenn - Egg (EGG 0000 1/13) 'Rare Icelandic album. Baldry sings the track "She Broke My Heart".'
• (1996) Bone, Bottle, Brass or Steel ~ Doug Cox - Malahat Mountain 'LJB performs "Good Morning Blues" accompanied by Doug Cox.'
• (1998) You Got The Bread... We Got The Jam! ~ Schuld & Stamer - Blue Streak Records (BSCD98001) 'Long John joins with acoustic blues duo Schuld & Stamer on several tracks.'
• (2002) For Fans Only! ~ Genya Ravan - AHA Music 'Features a rare duet with Ravan and Baldry on "Something's Got A Hold On Me". Recorded in 1978.'
• (2011) The Definitive Steampacket Recordings ~ The Steampacket - Nasty Productions 'Features two previously unreleased Steampacket tracks with LJB on lead vocals.'
• (2013) Radio Luxembourg Sessions: 208 Rhythm Club - Vol. 5 ~ Various Artists - Vocalion (CDNJT 5319) 'October 1961 recording. LJB sings "Every Day I Have The Blues".'
• (2013) Radio Luxembourg Sessions: 208 Rhythm Club - Vol. 6 ~ Various Artists - Vocalion (CDNJT 5320) 'October 1961 recording of LJB singing "The Glory of Love".'

TV specials

• (1965) Rod The Mod
• (1974) The Gospel According To Long John
• (1985) Long John Baldry: Rockin' The Blues
• (1987) Long John Baldry At The Maintenance Shop
• (1993) Long John Baldry In Concert
• (1993) Leverkusen Blues Festival '93: The Long John Baldry Band
• (1993) Waterfront Blues Festival: Long John Baldry
• (1997) Leverkusen Blues Festival '97: Long John Baldry & Tony Ashton
• (1998) Café Campus Blues with Long John Baldry
• (2001) Happy Birthday Blues: Long John Baldry & Friends
• (2007) Long John Baldry: In The Shadow Of The Blues

Film and TV Roles

Long John Baldry was also an actor and voice actor. He appeared in films and many TV shows, often lending his voice to animated characters.

Film

Television

Video games

Theatre