John Ireland (South African musician)

Last updated

John Ireland (born 23 August 1954) is a South African pop artist who began performing in the late 1970s. His single "I Like" charted in the top-20 in South Africa for 15 weeks in 1982. Another well-received single was "You're Living Inside My Head", which is based on the English folk song "Greensleeves". John Ireland is the stage name of Dr John Griffith, a reclusive man who almost never gives interviews. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

British & Irish Lions British and Irish rugby union team

The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national team, although they can pick uncapped players who are eligible for any of the four unions. The team currently tours every four years, with these rotating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in order. The most recent test series, the 2021 series against South Africa, was won 2–1 by South Africa.

Harp Stringed musical instrument

The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, including standing or sitting and in orchestras or concerts. Its most common form is triangular in shape and made of wood. Some have multiple rows of strings and pedal attachments.

Jig British form of folk dance and tune

The jig is a form of lively folk dance in compound metre, as well as the accompanying dance tune. It is most associated with Irish music and dance. It first gained popularity in 16th-century Ireland and parts of Great Britain and was quickly adopted on mainland Europe where it eventually became the final movement of the mature Baroque dance suite. Today it is most associated with Irish dance music, Scottish country dance and the Métis people in Canada. Jigs were originally in duple compound metre,, but have been adapted to a variety of time signatures, by which they are often classified into groups, including light jigs, slip jigs, single jigs, double jigs, and treble jigs.

Westlife Irish boy band

Westlife are an Irish boy band, formed in 1998 in Sligo, Ireland. They disbanded in 2012 and reunited in 2018. They were originally signed by Simon Cowell in the UK, Clive Davis in the US and managed by Louis Walsh and Sonny Takhar. The group currently consists of Shane Filan, Markus Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne.

Jim Reeves American singer

James Travis Reeves was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound. Known as "Gentleman Jim", his songs continued to chart for years after his death.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight 1920s song by Solomon Linda

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and recorded by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube" for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. Linda's original was written in Zulu, while the English version's lyrics were written by George David Weiss. The song was adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk revival artists in the 1950s and 1960s, especially after it was published by Folkways Music Publishers in December 1951, including Henri Salvador, the Weavers, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Noro Morales, Miriam Makeba, and the Kingston Trio. In 1961, it became a number one hit in the United States as adapted in English with the best-known version by the doo-wop group the Tokens. It went on to earn millions in royalties from cover versions and film licensing. The pop group Tight Fit had a number one hit in the UK with the song in 1982. This song is written and composed in the key of F major.

Phixx were an English-Irish boy band formed in 2003 from the five runners up on British TV show Popstars: The Rivals. The original members were Andrew Kinlochan, Chris Park, Mikey Green, Peter Smith, and Nikk Mager. Between 2003 and 2005 they had four top 20 singles in the UK. They broke up in 2006.

"That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift, but it is better known for the 1985 cover version by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. This recording, billed as being by "Dionne & Friends", was released as a charity single for AIDS research and prevention. It was a massive hit, becoming the number-one single of 1986 in the United States, and winning the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year. It raised over $3 million for its cause.

Six were an Irish pop group who formed on the Irish version of the television programme Popstars in 2002. The programme aired on RTÉ One on Sunday nights in the autumn and winter of 2001-02. The band were signed to Simon Cowell under BMG Records UK and managed by Louis Walsh who also appeared as a judge on the show. Their first single, "There's a Whole Lot of Loving Going On", is currently the fastest and third-biggest selling single in Irish history.

Back Chat 1982 single by Queen

"Back Chat", written by the bass guitarist John Deacon, is the track most influenced by funk on the 1982 Queen album Hot Space. The song sets a great example of how Deacon was strongly pulling the band into dance orientated genres such as R&B, Disco, and funk. It reached #40 on the UK Singles Chart, #18 in South Africa and a #19 entry in Ireland.

Ill Never Fall in Love Again Single by Burt Bacharach

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is a popular song by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David that was written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises. Several recordings of the song were released in 1969, the most popular versions were by Dionne Warwick, who took it to number six on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 and spent three weeks with it at number one on the magazine's list of the 40 most popular Easy Listening songs in the US. and Bobbie Gentry, who topped the UK chart with her recording She also peaked at number one in Australia and Ireland, number three in South Africa, and number five in Norway.

Angelo (song) 1977 single by Brotherhood of Man

"Angelo" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK number one hit.

"Mississippi" is a song by Dutch country pop band Pussycat. Written by Werner Theunissen and produced by Eddy Hilberts, "Mississippi" was the group's first number-one single in their home country, as well as their only number-one single in most countries worldwide. In New Zealand and South Africa, however, "Mississippi" was their first of two number-one singles; in the latter country, "Mississippi" was the best-selling single of 1977.

Nikita (song) Original song written and composed by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (words)

"Nikita" is a love song by English singer Elton John set in the Cold War from his nineteenth studio album, Ice on Fire (1985). It was released as the album's lead single, reaching the top 10 in many countries.

Sad Songs (Say So Much) 1984 single by Elton John

"Sad Songs " is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and is the closing track on the 1984 album Breaking Hearts. It reached No. 7 on the UK chart and No. 5 on the U.S. chart. The lyrics describe how it sometimes helps for someone who is feeling sad, or who has lost a partner, to listen to old radio blues classics. In the years since its issue, radio airplay has been modest compared with some of John's other 1980s singles.

When Youre Looking Like That 2001 single by Westlife

"When You're Looking Like That" is a song by Irish boy band Westlife from their second studio album, Coast to Coast (2000). It was released on 3 September 2001 as the sixth and final single from the album in Australia, Asia, Latin America, and mainland Europe. "When You're Looking Like That" peaked at number six in Denmark and was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for shipments of 15,000 copies.

Something Right 2008 Westlife song

"Something Right" is a song by Irish boy band Westlife from their eighth studio album Back Home. The song was released as the band's second single in Asia and Europe following their first single, "Home", as well as the album's overall third single. The song was composed by Rami Yacoub, Savan Kotecha and Arnthor Birgisson. A music video was filmed in December 2007 in London and premiered on March 7, 2008. This single was not released as a single in UK and Ireland.

Jedward Irish musical duo

John and Edward Grimes, collectively known as Jedward, are an Irish singing and television presenting duo. They are identical twins and first appeared as John & Edward in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009, generating a phenomenon of ironic popularity described as "the Jedward paradox". They finished in sixth place and were managed by Louis Walsh, who was their mentor during The X Factor.

Lighthouse (Westlife song) 2011 single by Westlife

"Lighthouse" is a song by Irish boy band Westlife and it is the lead single from their second compilation album Greatest Hits (2011). The song is their final physical single after their announcement to disband prior to their 2018 reformation. Also the single is the group's first and last physical single not under the tutelage of Simon Cowell, having left Syco and Cowell in March 2011. The song was written by Gary Barlow and John Shanks, and was released on 11 November 2011. A music video was filmed in South Africa and premiered on 20 October 2011.

Sho Madjozi South African rapper, singer, songwriter, actress and poet

Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, known professionally as Sho Madjozi, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, actress and poet. Madjozi incorporates the Tsonga culture through her music and public image. In 2019, Madjozi was named as one of Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 for her contribution in the music and entertainment sector.

References

  1. Currin, Brian. "John Ireland - South African Multi-instrumentalist". www.rock.co.za.
  2. Andersson, Muff. Music in the mix: The story of South African popular music. Ravan Press, 1981. p45.