Anyone Remember Johnny Duncan ?

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

There were two Johnny Duncans. The one I'm referring to was born in Texas, moved to England in the middle 50's, where, together with Lonnie Donegan, became one of the leading personalities in the Skiffle boom. Reputed to have played with Bill Monroe in his youth, he formed a group in England known as the Blue Grass Boys. He had a great hit in England, "Last Train to San Fernando", which is unknown back in his home country. In middle age he moved to Australia, where he passed away a few years ago. There's a CD collection of his entire work, which I've got. He had a lot of talent.

Anyone out there met him or played with him ?

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

No. Next question?

But seriously, try Jason Odd -- he knows about everybody. In fact, if my brother was late for dinner, I'd call Australia and ask Jason where the heck he was. Wink

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Alan Miller · From: , England, UK.

Alan,
Yes I met him once . My dad played in a house band at a place here in cumbria ( Cumberland as it was then ) called "The loft house" in a rural village called Bothel. I was about 12 yrs old at the time so it would be 1968 ish .
Johnny Duncan and his band were invited to do a gig , I think dad was a bit put out at this "star" encroaching on his territory, they shared the stage that evening .
I asked my dad if he would get me his autograph , after a more than a little persistence from me dad eventually came back with a signature on the inside of an empty packet of Woodbines.
I realized days later that it was my dads handwriting on his empty packet of cigs.
I remember thinking that this "star" wasn't that much better than my old man and his band, but then maybe I was biased.
I was always confused as to who was there that night but your short Johnny Duncan history puts that straight .

Barry Blackwood · Posted 15 Mar 2009 2:39 pm

Here's the Johnny Duncan I know.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Duncan_(country_music_artist)
Fine singer, did many great songs, IMO.

Alan Miller · From: , England, UK.

The Johnny Duncan Alan B is asking about is the American bluegrass artist 1932- 2000.
I didn't think of looking on wikopedia, they are both there.
I dont think he did much bluegrass when he moved to UK , he got into skiffle and edging into the 60s pop era.

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

The only Johnny Duncan, I remember was the country one from Texas. He was well known back in the70's and the 80's. He had Weldon Myrick Playing steel with him on his recordings,Tommy

Andy Hinton · From: Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

Tommy; I think you're remembering TOMMY Duncan. He still closes the Sat. night TSGA show with a Texas stile show/dance in the big ballroom. Has for several years. Couldn't stay for it this year, but in '06 i had a blast. I can't remember Johnny Duncan either but the name seems to ring a bell. The bells just won't ring as loud now as they used to. Smile

. Andy H.

Alan Kendall · From: Maury County Tennessee

Wow Alan there's a blast from the past. I'm pretty sure he used to be on the "Six Five Special" quite a lot.
Now I've got one for you.Do you remember "Joe Brown And The Bruvers"?

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

I've heard of Tommy Duncan, he sang with the great with the great Bob Wills. Johnny Duncan did some duets with Janie Fricke back in the mid 70's for Columbia records. Tommy

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Fred Thompson · From: Zephyrhills, FL

Johnny Duncan had some big hits with Janie Fricke. He had a great voice. I think he passed away not too long ago. A shame. Sad

He was out of Texas, I believe.
Fred

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Tommy Duncan was with Wills several years,left him in 48 and formed his own band. DYKBC.
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Andy Hinton · From: Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

All of you are corect in that I was confused & I apologize. I was still wuzzy from 2 days at Dallas. The great singer that closes the Sat. night show is Johnny Bush. Not Duncan, Sorry! I promise I'll have my head on strait when I post again. Sad

Andy H.

Bill Cunningham · From: Atlanta, Ga. USA

Uh, Andy... Craig Chambers closed the Saturday night show in Dallas. Curtis Potter may have gotten up and sang after I left. Johnny Bush was supposed to do the 8:00 PM TSGA but canceled. Get some more rest. Winking

Wow, what a confusing thread Laughing

Maybe Roger Rettig can clear this up. I think he was involved with Lonnie, et al.
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Lowell Whitney · From: Waynoka, Oklahoma, USA

The Johnny Duncan who sang duets with Janie Frickie
was born in Dublin, Texas, small town SW of FT Worth, in 1938.
Passed away in 2006. Can find a short bio on Google.

Lowell
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Bob Mainwaring · From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Yes - this is the Johnny Duncan who was one of my hero's back in the mid 50's as was stated - he was one of the Skiffle pioneers who was on the Saturday morning BBC radio in 1956 with all the other Skiffle Bands at that time.
Lonnie Donnegan originaly played "plectrum" banjo before he came out with Rock Island Line with I believe Ken Colliers Jazz Band.
Both these guys became my heoro's enough to get me started back then playing banjo,guitar then over to pedal steel.......Jeeeesh , the time is going sooo quick!! Sad

All Z.B.est
Bob Mainwaring.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

Andy Hinton · From: Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

Thanks Tommy: See my reply on Danny Cormier's thread in anouncements sec. Its slowlly gettin' straight. Smile

Andy H.

Tony Davis · From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

The particular Johnny Duncan in this topic told me he came from Knoxville Tennesse.....that he had been on the Opry using Tommy Flints Guitar...and that he did work for Bill Monroe one time....and that ..he learned >"Little Footprints in the Snow "from Bill.....a big hit for Johnny in the UK...along with "Last Train to San Fernando" and a few others.

I only know this becaus about 1974....I was playing in a Downtown pub in the entertainment ......Nightclub area of Brisbane.....
I was concentrating playing back up to the singer,when this guy in a check shirt and a Tennessee accent came up with a beer in his hand....leant on my steel and said..."Saaaay Kin you plaaaay Steel Guitar rag ?..........I was trying to concentrate on the singer so I quite rudly told him where to go !!!!
At the break he came up and apologised.....he was playing a club across the road..and had a few drinks
He told me who he was and I had heard of him......so finished up lending the rythmn guys guitar to him and having him on stage for a few numbers.

He went and did his second set at the club over the road.....then came back over to us just as we were about finishing...we had a couple of beers as we were packing up.....I asked how come he came in here......he just said...Ï heard the steel...that was enough for me !!!
We Lugged out and were standing outside talking when a Local RCA.recording Artist..meaning Local Aus wide ...artist came up.......Johnny Greenwood.....A friend.....He just said.....Ï knew he was in town......now you Buggers have got him with you !!!!!!
Long story......but Dunc came and stayed with us for a week or so.....I forget how many sickies I took just to stay home and Jam and drink beer..........
but it sure was a good time

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

I am expecting Roger Rettig to jump in on this one - he was a great fan of Donnegan and co. Johnny Duncan recorded a live album at the Nashville Rooms in London in the 70's. He had Pete Wilsher playing pedal steel on the recording, and Pete did a great job from what I can remember.
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Tony Davis · From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

When Johnny was here he just had an acoustic guitar....no pick up...a Gibson....we put it in the back of my Ford van......and as we drove out of my driveway...the back doors opened and the guitar fell out......lucky it was in a Hard case...so no damage......he didnt seem too worried.......most "Down to Earth Guy you would want to meet !!!!!
Was thrilled to have a Sunday Roast.......would love to walk around with Jodie in his arms.....about a year old........maybe that is why she is a full time musician now !!!!!!

Tony

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Hi, Alan, and hello, Ken!

I thought Duncan had a pretty good voice, but was never a huge fan; he paled next to Lonnie Donegan, although he was perhaps LD's closest rival in those days.

I actually became a 'Bluegrass Boy' and played with Johnny Duncan for a week in 1963. He was well past his 'sell by date' by then, and had all but abandoned any bluegrass pretensions (they were tenuous to start with!). We played a bunch of crossover country hits, I seem to recall.

Joe Brown's a different matter! Joe is Lonnie's biggest fan (after me!) and an excellent entertainer. I was proud to do a stint as one of his 'Bruvvers' many years ago. He had me playing steel and electric, and we did a lot of globetrotting! There was once talk of he and Donegan getting together to do a touring show, but the thought of BOTH of those egos trying to work together is a scary one!

Johnny Duncan: There was a certain amount of controversy about his actual birthplace; it was thought that he was a bit 'creative' when he composed his resume in those early days. He did make a couple of very good records, though; 'Last Train To San Fernando' has a fine arrangement and a great guitar solo - both courtesy of Denny Wright, who had not long been 'let go' from Lonnie Donegan's group.
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