Interview with John Parr
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 01 January 2012
John Parr has spent decades building a successful career working with some of the biggest stars in the business and Few musicians from England have made such a mark on America as has John.
Recently he has toured with the likes of Richard Marx, Journey and Bryan Adams and has just released his 5th album titled “Letter to America”.
John has also just signed a new deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, completed a 35 city American Media Tour, has music being featured on ESPN, signed on with The USO and is working on his upcoming Military Album, along with a plethora of other exciting avenues ... and now he gives an interview with LincsMag before he starts his tour with American Anthems - The Spectacular Rock Musical, which will be from the 1st February to 17th February 2012.
At what age did you become interested in music and knew this was what you wanted to do as a career?
I was singing in the school playground at 5 years old - I was either Lonnie Donegan or the Chipmunks. I graduated to being Cliff Richard and used to win talent shows at the Saturday morning movie matinees when I was around 7 or 8, they used to call me little Cliff.
Then I heard the Beatles and everything changed. Mum and dad bought me a guitar and I knew that was what my destiny would be. It was kind of a curse- always chasing the dream that was always just out of reach. After many, many years I began to succeed.
What style of music were you first interested in? (i.e. pop, jazz, classical)
I loved all music that excited or moved me whatever the genre. Hendrix, Little Richard, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Pavarotti, Arron Copeland, Tom Jones even Shirley Bassey – they all blew me away.
Living in America, is there anything that you miss from England?
I never considered myself a resident in America although it does hold a special place in my heart. It was the one place that gave me a chance and so that is why I am currently back there doing shows for the American military and their families. My true home is England, the country I chose to raise our family.
You have worked with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Meatloaf, Heart, The Beach Boys, Celine Dion, Roger Daltry and Tina Turner, so what was it like working with them?
The nearer the top you get in our business the nicer the people are... well usually. Meatloaf and I became good friends and shared great times together both personally and professionally. He is a scary character to most but to me I feel I really know the person. He gave me great advice and support.
Tina for me is one of the true greats- to have the honour of getting to know her a little and share the stage with her at her peak was something I shall always treasure. The Boys from journey and Toto are amongst the most talented and truly genuine people I have met.
To write for Roger and share the stage for our duet of “Under a Raging Moon “ at Madison Square Garden was a dream come true for me.
In what has obviously been an interesting career, what would you say has been the funniest moment?
Oh There are so many – The Washington wives blockading the street to stop my concert – they said I was subverting American youth with my Lyrics...
Long before I had a record deal I played in the house band at Caesars Palace. We told the manager we could read music to get the gig. One week we had to back Louis Alberto and Los Trios de Paranios. Their music was in the tonic So fa scale... you can imagine – we hardly knew what G was let alone this Latin stuff – Louis would be screaming at us during the show... "No Fa!... NO! So..." it was a train wreck.
There was a gap of around ten years when you were away from music, why was that?
I was embroiled in a legal battle that I was forced to bring against someone – The British legal system let me down and it took 19 years for me to achieve justice. During that time my career froze – no one will do a deal with you when you are in litigation. It was truly heartbreaking
Your most famous record, which was a number one US hit single in 1985, was "St. Elmo's Fire". What gave you the inspiration for this and how has this affected your career since?
I wrote the song with David Foster for a young wheelchair bound athlete, Rick Hansen who was just setting out on an attempt to wheel 25,000 around the world to raise money and awareness for spinal research. No one was really helping him at the time so we lent a hand and managed to convince the film company, Columbia that the “St Elmo’s Fire” lyrics where really about the move and “the pair of wheel “were Demi Moore’s jeep... we helped Rick’s foundation raise $250,000,000 so far and next year will be the 25th anniversary of his epic journey. II’s great to have hits but to be involved in something that truly changes people lives is beyond words for me.
The American Anthems tour sees two fantastic events in Lincolnshire, Embassy Theatre, Skegness on Friday 3rd February and Bath Halls, Scunthorpe on Saturday 11th February, so, is this your first time in Lincolnshire?
No, I love Lincolnshire and have played a lot of Airbase gigs there over the years. I was born near Sherwood forest so I am almost a local lad.
Away from music, what other interests do you have?
I breed dogs, I am a martial arts instructor, I am very much a normal person – driven but basically normal. I try to be this even in my professional life and try not to walk around with a huge wake following me- you know like a boat makes when it goes through the water. I see that in some famous people and thank God I am not like that.
I believe that we are all the same, we all have our gifts and talents that we were blessed with. Once you believe it is all about you, you are lost.
