Join me to learn the story around legendary English group, SUPERTRAMP as told by founding member JOHN HELLIWELL.

John Helliwell was a small-town computer programmer-turned-musician who embarked on an unexpected journey of success and musical exploration, during which he encountered a dramatic juxtaposition between his musical success and his shy personality.

Supertramp hit it really big in 1979 with the album Breakfast in America, which became a worldwide phenomenon. In fact, it was the biggest selling album of that year. John's unique saxophone and clarinet solos, along with the band's two singers and keyboard-oriented sound, made them stand right out from the mainstream. 

As John's fame grew with the success of the band, his life changed forever. 

During a Supertramp hiatus in the nineties, he moved back to England to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.  However, a scholarly life was to take a back seat in 1996 when he worked with ex-Supertramper Roger Hodgson, and then began recording and touring again with Supertramp.

Today John plays music based on his many inspirations – including jazz, funk, blues, soul and rock. He has a jazz group, Crème Anglaise, and also plays around Europe with Leslie ManDoki and Alan Simon.  John tells us that Supertramp is currently on hold due to the illness of its founder, Rick Davies, but may continue touring in the future.

John now has two more projects : 1) The Super Big Tramp Band - an 18 piece big band playing the music of Supertramp instrumentally with John soloing and acting as master of ceremonies and 2) Ever Open Door – a sextet playing folk tunes and ballads with saxophone and clarinet, a string quartet and Hammond organ.

In this episode, John Helliwell gives a candid and frank interview where he reveals that the band was too shy to speak to the audience on stage. He talks about the incredible times that he shared with his fellow members and how their unique sound and songwriting style endeared them to the public across all corners of the globe.

I hope you are able to join me this week on A Breath of Fresh Air.

If you'd like to know more about John Helliwell and Supertramp head for my website www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

Please feel free to get in touch with me through the website too. I welcome any comments, feedback or suggestions for future guests you'd like to hear interviewed.

Also check out John Helliwell's website www.johnhelliwell.com