The Life and Time Stories of Australian Musicians, Performance Artists and those who commenced their contributed to the Australian Music industry from the 1950’s through to the 1970’s.
Australian Rock of Ages is a series of interviews conducted with artists, entrepreneurs, managers. Those who promoted and contributed to the Australian Music Industry. All were born or settled in Australia during the halcyon years of the late 1950’s through to the late 1970’s.
We present a different story each month.
This program features the 4-part story of John Arthur Grant.
Unknown to many in the general population, John Arthur Grant has made significant contributions to Australian music.
He was born in Canberra ACT in 1953. His family had been early settlers even prior to the City of Canberra even being built.
John’s parents separated when he was a young boy resulting in his mother being his primary carer and influence.
Around the age of 3 John and his mother moved to Melbourne. Yet being so young John adapted to the move effortlessly.
Music became a major part of Johns’ life and it is easily explained. In fact music, particularly piano based music, was a feature of the family life. So it was John and his siblings all learned to play in a classical style.
As a result, John is an accomplished pianist. From an early age he seemed destined for a life as a concert pianist.
However, during his formative years popular music began to influence most young people’s lives. In the case of the young John, we find he is not exempt.
While in High School he forms his first band with a determination that popular music would be his chosen career. This was despite both his mother and piano teachers expectations that he would become a concert pianist.
Part 2
John is accepted into Melbourne University to study concert piano and composition.
However, the progressive music of the 60’s had a profound effect upon him. This becomes clear as we learn a bit more about his early band life.
John experienced a mixed career in the 60’s with bands. However, the experiences were sufficient for him to continue on into the 1970’s where he formed his own groups.
Most notable of these is Windjammer.
YET in order to progress his career he began to get work in the 70’s with a range of well-known artists. These include Phil Manning, Jim Keyes, Mike Rudd and later he joins Eurogliders.
Part 3
John’s story moves into the 1980’s where he starts to move away from group membership into freelancing and studio work.
Yet he didn’t totally abandon working live. John did form several moderately successful duo’s as well as collaborations on stage.
Yet one of the important lessons he learned was to have multiple projects going. One such project included working as a pit-musician in theatre productions.
He also supported himself, selling keyboards, becoming a successful demonstrator for Korg products.
While working for Korg that he travelled the world attending various trade shows and symposiums.
It was also during this period he integrates his experiences with his love for classical music. This would be reflected in his music that was yet to come.
Part 4
John’s story covers his life as a young boy who moved from Canberra at the age of 3 to set up life in Melbourne.
We have learned that he was very talented on piano. He looked destined for a life as a concert pianist. However, the lure of the music of the 1960’s dragged him into the world of popular music.
John has gained incredible experience working with both individual musicians as well as top Aussie groups.
As the decades went on, he learned to diversify his skill development. He travelled the world for Korg demonstrating their keyboards while constantly refining his own music.
That diversification included being the Musical Director for many legendary Australian vocalists. These include Colleen Hewett, Johnny Young, Brian Cadd, Mike Brady, Bob Bright as well as corporate rock acts.
Even more recently, John has featured as the keyboard player in the popular Wilburys show titled “The Wilbury Sessions”. In this amazing lineup he joins music icons, Sam See, Glyn Mason, Lindsay Field, Angus Burchell, Paul Cartwright.
John has also composed and had performed many of his more classical based compositional pieces.
In fact, the program finishes with a cross-over composition of John’s that we can listen to.
However, while music is a central feature of this man’s life, there is more to him. John has a well-developed social conscience and he shares his thoughts on a range of social issues.
Incidentally, if you are interested in learning more about John and hearing some more of his music, you can go to his website – www.johnarthurgrant.com
John Arthur Grant – Part 1
John Arthur Grant – Part 2
John Arthur Grant – Part 3
John Arthur Grant – Part 4
Previous stories in Australian Rock Of Ages can be found via these links;
Program #1 – Bob Bright: Click here
Program #2 – Normie Rowe: Click here
Program #3 – Mike Rudd: Click here
Program #4 – Phil Manning: Click here
Program #5 – Marcie Jones: Click here
Program #6 – Ross D. Wylie: Click here
Program #7 – Lynn Thorpe: Click here
Program #8 – Sam See: Click here:
Program #9 – Mick Hamilton: Click here
Program #10 – Claire Humphrys: Click here
Program #11- Glyn Mason: Click here
Program #12 – David Flint: Click here
Program #13 – Chris Stockley: Click here
Program #14 – Frank Howson: Click here
Program #15 – Mick Elliott: Click here
Program #16 – Pat Wilson: Click here
Program #17 – Lindsay Field: Click here
Program #18 – David Pepperell: Click here
Program #19 – Howard Freeman: Click here
Program #20 – Laurie Arthur: Click here
Program #21 – Dom Barbuto: Click here
Program #22 – Murray Robertson: Click here
