LONG JOHN" BALDRY DIES AT AGE 64

I received this today from Holger Petersen of Stony Plain Recording here in Edmonton. Baldry was one of the people who recorded on the Stony Plain label.

I am not sure if you care, but just in case, he is a big part of the Canadian music scene. He will be missed but his music will live on and he will be remembered by his fans.

Carol.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BRITISH BLUES LEGEND "LONG JOHN" BALDRY DIES AT AGE 64

July 22, 2005 - Vancouver, BC - British R&B singer "Long John" Baldry, born John William Baldry, 64, passed away at the Vancouver General Hospital, in Vancouver, British Columbia last night (July 21) at 10:30 PM PST after fighting a chest infection for the past four months. He left behind two siblings Margaret and Roger, as well as long-time friend and partner Felix ("Oz") Rexach.

Having begun his career playing folk and jazz in the late 50s, Baldry was one of the founding fathers of British Rock 'n' Roll in the 60s. British guitarist Eric Clapton has stated many times that he was inspired to pick up the guitar after seeing Baldry perform in the early 60s.

While appearing at the Cavern in Liverpool in the early '60s, Baldry became friends with Paul McCartney. For their internationally televised special "Around the Beatles" for Rediffusion in 1964, the Beatles invited Baldry to perform along with P.J. Proby, and Cilla Black.

Baldry performed with the influential British R&B bands Blues Incorporated, and Cyril Davies' R & B All Stars in the 60s. He later fronted the Hoochie Coochie Men, which included Rod Stewart, who later joined Baldry in Steam Packet (also featuring keyboardist Brian Auger and singer Julie Driscoll).

After a brief period with Bluesology (with Elton John on keyboards), Baldry went solo and had a no. 1 UK hit with the fine ballad "Let The Heartaches Begin" in 1967. With production assistance from Rod Stewart and Elton John, Baldry recorded the album, It Ain't Easy for Warner Bros. featuring his signature song "Don't try to Lay no Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock n' Roll."

After emigrating to Canada in the early 80s, Baldry recorded for EMI Music Canada, and since 1991 recorded five albums for Stony Plain Records in Edmonton, Alberta. Stony Plain is slated to re-release Baldry's Warner Bros. albums, It Ain't Easy and Everything Stops for Tea this Fall.

Since the early 90s, Baldry also was known in Canada for his extensive voice work in commercials. As well, he was used as the voice of Robotnik on the "Sonic The Hedgehog" computer game, and as narrator for Winnie the Pooh recordings for Walt Disney Records for which he was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998.

For More Information:

Anya Wilson

Anya Wilson Promotion & Publicity

416-977-7704

awilson@netsurf.net

Holger Petersen
Stony Plain Records
P.O. Box 861
Edmonton, AB T5J 2L8
Canada
(780)468-6423
(780)465-8941 fax
holger@stonyplainrecords.com
www.stonyplainrecords.com

"It's easy to play an instrument. All you have to do is play the right key at the right time and the instrument plays itself."
J.S. Bach

He will be sadly missed by this fan for sure. His music will live on in the hearts of all his fans I'am sure.

When I worked at the Paddock (the real one, not the one that burnt down) in the early 80's, he was one of the more famous acts that performed there. He and his band were a great bunch of people. Unlike a few of the bigger (and/or lesser) musicians that appeared there, he treated everyone well and didn't put on airs.

I worked there as well before it became a liquor store. from 1977 to whenever it was. 80 something.

The Paddock…….brings back crazy memmories of the seventies indeed! Jamming upstairs with a few Now famous people, and many not so famous! Baldry was one who took advantage of the accomidations upstairs. Good folk indeed!

I believe the original Paddock Nightclub closed in November of 1985. There was a name change in July of 1985, but I forget what it was briefly called.

Antics, the mother of a friend of mine worked at the Red Ox from 1976(?) to 1979(?). I worked at the Paddock from May of 1981 until June of 1985.