This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).


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Tuesday 5 May 2020

Jonathan Kelly (vocals)

(Also known as: Jon Ledingham) BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:

Exquisite British singer with a folk touch. Jonathan Kelly was born Jonathan Ledingham on July 8th, 1947 in Drogheda, at County Louth, in Eire.

He also played guitar and drums (especially in his first bands).


THE SARACENS


The Saracens was a band where Jonathan Kelly played while he was a teenager:

THE SARACENS #?
?
Jonathan Kelly
guitar, vocals
+ others unknown to me. Help!



VICEROYS SHOWBAND


Viceroys Showband was one of the Irish showbands, and Jonathan Kelly was once a member, but I haven´t any other info:

VICEROYS SHOWBAND #?
?
Jonathan Kelly
guitar, vocals
+ others unknown to me. Help!



THE BOOMERANGS


The Boomerangs was formed by:

THE BOOMERANGS #?
?
Jonathan Kelly
guitar, vocals
Aidan Cahill
guitar
Alan Doran
bass
Brian Trench
keyboards
Noel Richardson
drums

They split after recording 1 single.

Other info on members of The Boomerangs (I know up to 5 members)
Not enough info (4): Aidan Cahill, Alan Doran, Noel Richardson, Brian Trench


AND THEN...


Jonathan started his solo career as Jon Ledingham in the Dublin music scene. He released two singles and then, moved to London in March 1968, and choosing the Jonathan Kelly monicker in 1969.


HUMPY BONG


Humpy Bong was a band formed by Colin Petersen:

HUMPY BONG #?
?
êSmile
êBee Gees
Tim Staffell
vocals, bass
Jonathan Kelly
guitar, vocals
Colin Petersen
drums
Jonathan Kelly Bandê

The band never played any gigs, as Jonathan Kelly also worked on his own solo career, but they played in some TV appearances, splitting soon after releasing one single, ´Don´t you be too long / We´re alright till then´ in August 1970.
Other info on members of Humpy Bong (I know up to 3 members)
To be covered (2): Colin Petersen, Tim Staffell


JONATHAN KELLY BAND


After the Humpy Bong adventure was over, Jonathan Kelly recorded a couple of singles, one of them featuring Eric Clapton.

Kelly´s first album, Jonathan Kelly was released in 1970. The album was recorded with help from Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, Billy Bell on banjo and steel, and backing vocals by Madeline Bell, Lesley Duncan, Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie (Sue & Sunny), plus additional musicians (such as Eric Clapton) not mentioned. The album back cover says: ´Many thanks to all the other musicians who helped in the making of this album´.

His second album was my favourite one. Twice around the houses is magnificent, and I wonder why Kelly´s was elusive with success and fame. The album features great musicians, such as Tim Renwick, the late Dave Ball (shining in great guitar solos in the tracks where he´s featured), Rick Kemp, Gerry Conway, and the fantastic Peter Wood who was very involved in the making of the album, as Kelly´s states: ´A special thanks to Peter Wood´.

Jonathan Kelly appeared on TV (on The Old Grey Whistle Test) in May 1973 performing two songs with a one-off lineup with some of his friends:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
?
êSutherland Brothers
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Jeff Whittaker
percussion
Sutherland Brothersê

Kelly actually said something like ´I´d like to thank the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver for lending Tim Renwick for tonight´s show´ (thanks to NW for telling me this info back in 2004).

Kelly´s gig schedule was starting to increase, being opener or sharing tours by Strawbs, Riff Raff (with Tommy Eyre) or Joan Armatrading, among others, also sharing gigs with bands that probably helped making friends with musicians later appearing in his albums, such as Chris Mercer, Mick Eve or Ron Carthy from Gonzalez (all of them appeared in Kelly´s fourth album).

Kelly´s third album was Wait till they change the backdrop, featuring Gary Moore uncredited on guitar in a few tracks.

In October 1973, Trevor Williams joins Jonathan Kelly´s Outside:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
Oct 73-?
êNashville Teens
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Chaz Jankel
guitar, keyboards
Trevor Williams
bass
Dave Sheen
drums

After a few months, Jankel left to be replaced by the exquisite Snowy White.

This was the new lineup for Jonathan Kelly´s Outside now with Snowy White:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
?
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Snowy White
guitar
Trevor Williams
bass
Dave Sheen
drums

Jonathan Kelly´s Outside added Jeff Whittaker for a while:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
?
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Snowy White
guitar
Trevor Williams
bass
Jeff Whittaker
percussion
Dave Sheen
drums

Trevor Williams left the band in March 1974, but cannot find proper details about the changing lineups. Help, please!

Tim Staffell reunited with his old friend in Jonathan Kelly´s Outside, being in the band circa August 1974:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
1974
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Snowy White
guitar
Kuma Harada
bass
Darryl Lee Que
percussion
Dave Sheen
drums
Tim Staffell
backing vocals, percussion

Staffell toured with them for some months, before leaving.

In February 1975, Jonathan Kelly has dissolved his band Outside, but keeping Harada and Sheen with him:

JONATHAN KELLY BAND #?
1975
Jonathan Kelly
vocals, guitar
Kuma Harada
bass
Dave Sheen
drums

Other info on members of Jonathan Kelly Band (I know up to 11 members)
Already covered (2): Mark Griffiths, Tim Renwick
To be covered (8): Kuma Harada, Chaz Jankel, Darryl Lee Que, Dave Sheen, Tim Staffell, Snowy White, Jeff Whittaker, Trevor Williams


INSTANT WHIP


Instant Whip was a band formed by Tim Booth, probably at the end of 1975 or beginning of 1976 (or was in July 1973???):

INSTANT WHIP #?
?
Tim Booth
guitar, vocals
Ed Deane
guitar
Steve Bullock
bass

They only played one gig before Kelly disappearing from the musical scene for many years.

Other info on members of Instant Whip (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (1): Ed Deane
Not enough info (2): Tim Booth, Steve Bullock


AND THEN...


He disappeared from the musical scene in 1976. Many years later, he made some one-off gigs along the years, but suffering from a long illness, Jonathan Kelly sadly passed away on May 2nd, 2020. Rest in peace, and thanks for your great music!

To everyone interested in read my tribute to Jonathan Kelly, I must recommend that they visit Jonathan´s official website, a loving website run by Jonathan´s friend and fan Gerald Sables. The site is packed with info, lots of photographs from all periods and it´s essential reading for understanding Jonathan Kelly´s own universe. I´ve borrowed some info from the site (such as the info on Instant Whip), but it´s not stealing but acknowledge to Gerald Sables, who wrote me in the past giving me info on Tim Renwick and Mark Griffiths involvement with Kelly. Check the link below, and visit, you won´t be disappointed.

   6 BANDS (WITH 7 SELECTED RECORDINGS):

BAND / ARTIST.RECORDINGS
The Boomerangs   
Other info on members of The Boomerangs (I know up to 5 members)
Not enough info (4):Aidan Cahill, Alan Doran, Noel Richardson, Brian Trench
Humpy Bong  1 RECORDINGS:
  • Don´t you be too long / We´re alright till then (SINGLE) - Humpy Bong (August 1970)

  • Other info on members of Humpy Bong (I know up to 3 members)
    To be covered (2):Colin Petersen, Tim Staffell
    Instant Whip   
    Other info on members of Instant Whip (I know up to 4 members)
    To be covered (1):Ed Deane
    Not enough info (2):Tim Booth, Steve Bullock
    Jonathan Kelly Band  6 RECORDINGS:
  • Jonathan Kelly - Jonathan Kelly (1970)

    • Members: (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Madeline Bell, Eric Clapton, Roy Dyke, Sue Glover, Sunny Leslie (RIP: Tony Ashton, Lesley Duncan, Kim Gardner)
    • Producer: Colin Petersen
    • Comments: First solo album by Jonathan Kelly, featuring Eric Clapton uncredited in one song.
  • Make a stranger your friend / Daddy don´t take me down fishing no more (SINGLE) - Jonathan Kelly (February 1970)

    • Members: (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Madeline Bell, Roy Dyke, Mick Taylor, Klaus Voormann (RIP: Tony Ashton, Kim Gardner, Jackie Lomax, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Carl Wayne)
    • Producer: Colin Petersen
  • Twice around the houses - Jonathan Kelly (1972)

    • Members: Tim Renwick (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Jim Toomey + Harvey Burns, Gerry Conway, Jerry Donahue, Rick Kemp, Byron Lyefook, Larry Steele (RIP: Dave Ball, Peter Wood)
    • Producer: Tony Cox
    • Comments: Twice around the houses was Kelly´s 2nd solo album, and it features Dave Ball (guitar, from Procol Harum), plus some members of famous folk-rock bands: Jerry Donahue (guitar, ex-Fotheringay, then in Fairport Convention), Rick Kemp (bass, from Steeleye Span), Gerry Conway (drums, from Fotheringay), Donal Lunny, Jim Toomey (drums), and from Quiver: Tim Renwick (guitar), Peter Wood (keyboards).
    • My opinion: A fantastic album. My favourite songs are the magnificent ´Ballad of cursed Anna´ (with the great, late Dave Ball shining on lead guitar) and ´The train song´.
  • Wait till they change the backdrop - Jonathan Kelly (1973)

    • Members: Mark Griffiths, Tim Renwick (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Gavin Sutherland, Bruce Thomas, John ´Willie´ Wilson + Roy Babbington, Ray Duffy, Juanita Franklin, Karen Friedman, Lennox James (RIP: Iain Sutherland, Peter Wood + Barry De Souza, Gary Moore, Michael Oliver)
    • Producer: Ken Scott
    • Technical: Dennis Mackay
    • Comments: Wait till they change the backdrop is Kelly´s 3rd solo album, and it includes Roy Babbington (bass), Mark Griffiths (bass), Barry De Souza (drums), Ray Duffy (drums), and the whole lineup by Sutherland Brothers & Quiver: Iain Sutherland (vocals), Gavin Sutherland (vocals), Tim Renwick (guitar on two tracks, flute on 1 track, and harmony vocals in 1 track), Bruce Thomas (bass), Peter Wood (keyboards), John 'Willie' Wilson (drums). On backing vocals: Thunder Thighs (that is: Casey Synge, Karen Friedman, Dari Lalou and Juanita Franklin). Plus one surprise: Gary Moore uncredited!
  • ...Waiting on you - Jonathan Kelly´s Outside (1974)

    • Members: Chaz Jankel, Dave Sheen, Snowy White, Trevor Williams (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Smiley De Jones, Mick Eve, Chris Mercer, Max Middleton (RIP: Ron Carthy, Peter Wood)
    • Comments: In this album, credited to Jonathan Kelly´s Outside, then formed by Snowy White (guitar, later in Thin Lizzy), Chas Jankel (guitar, later with Ian Dury & The Blockheads), Trevor Williams on bass (from Audience) and Dave Sheen on drums, with contributions by Peter Wood (keyboards), Max Middleton (keyboards), and from Gonzalez: Chris Mercer (sax), Ron Carthy (trumpet) and Mick Eve (sax).
  • Two days in winter - Jonathan Kelly (1975)

    • Members: Kuma Harada, Darryl Lee Que, Dave Sheen (RIP: Jonathan Kelly)
    • Guests: Brian Gascoigne
    Other info on members of Jonathan Kelly Band (I know up to 11 members)
    Already covered (2):Mark Griffiths, Tim Renwick
    To be covered (8):Kuma Harada, Chaz Jankel, Darryl Lee Que, Dave Sheen, Tim Staffell, Snowy White, Jeff Whittaker, Trevor Williams
    The Saracens   
    Viceroys Showband   

    QUESTIONS:

    01. Was Jonathan Kelly involved with the band called Jon (featuring Stuart Cowell, Jim Toomey or Tommy Tierney)?

    02. Did Tim Renwick and/or Rick Kemp play in the Humpy Bong tracks?

    03. I understand he´s not the same Jonathan Kelly that produced a couple of albums by Ali Thomson, is he?

    04. Can someone give me info about musicians in Jonathan Kelly live bands? Who was the bassist before Trevor Williams?


    RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 5


    Official site(s) - tell them you saw the link here:

    From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:

    THANKS:

    Very Special Thanks to:
  • Trevor Williams: for writing me (2008).

  • Special Thanks to:
  • Alex Gitlin: my friend, for help with scans and albums, as always (2001).
  • John H Warburg: for lots of biographical infos (2014).
  • Gerald Sables: (Jonathan Kelly´s webmaster), for his info on live lineup with Tim Renwick and Mark Griffiths (2015).

  • Thanks to:
  • Nick Wells: for info on Tim Renwick appearing live on TV with Jonathan Kelly (2004).
  • Mick Barrett: for his very interesting message (2005).

  • RELATED MUSICIANS:

    Jonathan Kelly mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
    Colin Petersen (3)
    Peter Wood (3)
    Tony Ashton (2)
    John Barham (2)
    Madeline Bell (2)
    Roy Dyke (2)
    Kim Gardner (2)
    Tim Renwick (2)
    Dave Sheen (2)

    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 05/May/2020 - Last modified on: 05/May/2020. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

    Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.

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