JOHN FORD COLEY is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter, best known for being half of the '70s duo England Dan and John Ford Coley.  Considered a mid-'70s phenomenon, and often misidentified in peoples' memories as a one-hit wonder, the duo actually charted six Top 40 singles, four or them Top Ten, in just four years. The duo had met at at school in Dallas, Texas where John forged a natural connection with Dan Seals and together they began covering several styles of music from rock and roll to country. Originally known as Colley & Wayland (Seal's middle name), the name didn't quite work and a change was needed as proposed by Jim Seals. "England Dan" was a reference to the fact that Dan, when The Beatles first hit America in 1964, had fixated on the Liverpool quartet and briefly affected an English accent. "Ford" was added to John Colley's name, and the spelling of his last name shortened to 'Coley' to assure its proper pronunciation. The duo eventually found the success they sought with the release of the chart topping hit, “Love to See You Tonight.” 

During this interview, John paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a musician in California in the '70s. He says it was an exciting but tough and fickle business, although he, unlike some of his contemporaries, managed to keep it in perspective. Above all, it was a time of discovery and exploration, where many unexpected opportunities arose. Some of which provided England Dan and John Ford Coley with the chance to share the stage with artists like Carol King, Seals and Crofts and Three Dog Night.

John chats about the ephemeral nature of the music business, and how quickly trends and styles can change. By the end of the 1970's, the duo was beset by new pressures from all sides. The perception was that, between the burgeoning disco boom and the undercurrent of punk rock (which always got a lot more press than it actually sold records), their continuing with the brand of harmony based, melodic pop/rock in which they specialised was a losing battle. After some near-disastrous sessions in Los Angeles, they salvaged but a single song - but that song proved to be their last Top Ten hit, 'Love is the Answer,' written by Todd Rundgren. 

The duo's world was turned upside down and they split up in 1980. John withdrew from performing after the break, although he did return the following year to cut an album with singers Leslie Bulkin and Kelly Bulkin on which Jim Seals' longtime partner Dash Crofts also did some singing. During the early '90s he re-appeared as a performing artist and a 'very best of' album was released.

Today John Ford Coley remains busy and active as a songwriter, producer, and actor. England Dan sadly passed away in 2009 of mantle cell lymphoma. .

This is John Ford Coley's story. The man is not only a superb musician. The stories he tells are hilarious.

To learn more about John Ford Coley head for my website www.abreathfofreshair.com.au or to https://johnfordcoley.com/

I hope you enjoy this episode.