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SUPERTRAMP’s Saxophonist And Founding Member – JOHN HELLIWELL. A Fascinating Interview With A Musician Who Started Life Off Very Humbly But Rose To Reach The Heights Of International Stardom

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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 John is a saxophonist and founding member of the British rock band Supertramp He joined the band in 1973 and is known for his solo on the hit single The Logical Song from the album Breakfast in America John says this solo has been the highpoint of his career John was born in a small town in the north of England who pursued music full-time and eventually joined Supertramp in 1973 The group struggled to secure a record deal and the album Crime of the Century was recorded and released just after John had turned 29 It was their first success on their climb to international fame 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 nbsp As John s fame grew with the success of the band his life changed forever nbsp During a Supertramp hiatus in the nineties he moved back to England to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester nbsp 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 Cr me Anglaise and also plays around Europe with Leslie ManDoki and Alan Simon nbsp 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 nbsp – 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 nbsp speak to the audience on stage He talks about the incredible times that he shared with his fellow members and how nbsp their unique sound and songwriting style endeared them to the public across all nbsp corners nbsp 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 Click here to visit this podcast episode

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