your comments
Kevin Davidge, Tredegar
I am the bass player of Red Alert and we recorded our album Peep Show at John's studio. The recording process is always fun at John's, the end result is always supberb and the coffee is just out of this world!! He's a good man!
Philip-Lee Kinsey, Bridgend
I've had the privilege of working with John on numerous occasions as an artist, and most recently in a writing capacity. We co-wrote a song, which I'm sure, as anything John touches, will turn to gold. What a genuinely, nice, talented fella.
Tom Gilligan, Sydney, Australia
I recently heard The King's Singers versionof "You Are The New Day"on our classical music station ABC Classic FM. I thought it was one most beautiful pieces of music that I had ever heard, and I am a constant listener to the classics by Beethoven, Bach, Schubert, Lennon & McCartney and many more too numerous to mention. Can I just thank John David for providing one of the musical highlights of my entire life.
Kathy Skipper, Puyallup, Washington, USA
Our community chorale is performing "You Are the New Day" as part of our spring concert. Everyone loves it. The melody is hauntingly beautiful; we would love to know a little more about the meaning behind the lyrics. Has John David written anything about the piece that would share that insight with us?
Shawn Harvey
Worked with John on my CD "In the Hills" and it was a pleasure ... going back to record in June again with him. Very nice guy and a top studio.
Tom Collins, Ohio, USA
Please release a CD of Airwaves "You Are The New Day." The best harmony I have ever heard. A tribute to Wales and the Welsh. Cymru am byth!
Ian Cal Ford living in St Davids
Had a lot of time for the Rockfield Studio, some great sounds came from there. Loved to watch Mickey Gee play, who didn't, let's be honest. Also I Hear You Knockin simply blows my mind, especially the intro. I have recorded a few albums here and there but now feel it's time to do it right. I'm gonna let John see what he can do with this tired ol voice and very old Martin guitar.
Ulrich Arnold from Halle, Germany
Thanks, John, for all the music you brought to us. Especially for "You are the new day", which I first heard by the King's Singers. However, until now I (and I think many others like John Wentland, Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA) don't know whether it is a love song, a Christmas song, or 'just' a song to greet the new day. I'd be glad if you'd post a comment on that here. Thanks again and my best wishes!
John Wentland, Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA
I fell in love with John's beautiful "You are the New Day" when I first heard the King Singers rendition of it (arr. Peter Knight) played on WETA public radio in Washington, DC, in 1984. And I've been in love with it and it's meaning in my life since then. It's taken me though some tough times to the beautiful place I am now. I'm curious about John's inspiration for the lyrics (which some consider enigmatic and I find wonderfully mind-expanding) as well as the uplifting music. Has he ever made any comment on this?
Roger Bannerman, Reading
Is this the same John David that had a single out in the early 80's called "On the Mountain"? Great disc, but impossible to find.
Ron, Denver, CO
I, too, would love to have a copy of Airwave's New Day. If anyone can tell me how to buy a copy, please write. Thank you.
Michael Clutton
I have had a recording session with John for my demo disc. The studios have everything and the equipment is first class. I felt completely at ease and John certainly knows what he is about. Lovely guy and great technician. I admire his talent and what he has achieved. Thanks John.
Lynn McEwan from Greenock
Does anyone know where I can get 'You Are The New Day' by Airwaves, i.e. the orginal recording on CD? I love this and only have it as a 7" single and can no longer play it!! Many thanks for your help ... I've tried loads of places, but so far have not had any success.
Andrew Chainey, Tantrwm, Aberdare
Had the pleasure of working with John over the last couple of years. I appreciate his straight, honest, open talk.A gentleman that I admire and have time for his opinion.
Sue Sexton from Forest of Dean
Had the good fortune of crossing John's path and getting him to produce a CD by local young people. A very hard working man who graciously worked long hours to help us with our project. He has a wealth of experience and expertise which has prooved to be a God send to us. Thanks John, it really has been a pleasure!
Gaham Kettle, South Gloucestershire
I am a folk musician with close Forest of Dean connections. I visit Berry Hill regularly but did not know John had studios there. I love the song called You Are The New Day which I believe is a John David creation. I would love to know the inspiration for the song.
Paul Cooke, Sheffield
Hi can you help me out please? I am trying to find the lyrics of Rockin' Little Christmas and Christmas Wish, written by John David.
Ben Williams
One the most talented, melodic and insightful musicians I've ever had the chance to work with. Also a great producer and a wonderful father. A little biased I may be, but he's been a huge influence on me too. Keep on rockin' Dad!
Stefan Nilsson
John is one of the best songwriters ever! He has done so very much for artists like Dave Edmunds, Status Quo, Samantha Fox and Shakin' Stevens. His 3 solo singles are amazing and the powerpop production for Barracudas and Expressos are fantastic... I could go on forever. John, you're awesome!
Steve Power from Austin,Texas
Who the hell is John David anyway? I never heard of him. Seriously folks, here I am at the John David admiration society. Cool! On my album, "The Journey", John engineered, mixed, co-produced, sang backing vocals, and even played a bit of guitar on one track. Then he included it in his label, Javelin Records, catalog. Ridiculously talented and a good friend. And I'll stand on top of the Severn Bridge in my python skin cowboy boots and say so.
Gary Boon, Gloucester
Just found a promo copy of the Airwaves single 'Nobody Is' so I thought I'd do some checking up who they were.
Nice record. It is now in safe hands and will stay in my collection - well done with the record. Shame it wasn't a hit.
Richard Williams, St Georges, south Wales
Like my son Luke above, thanks to all the kind things written about my brother, John David. He's a great song writer and a great person. I think I've got just about everything he's written, hundreds & hundreds of great songs. The world of music would be far richer if these were ever recorded. His musical talent is far greater than people realise, one of the best musicians to come from Wales, but by far the most genuine and nicest person you could have as a friend. It's a pity that Radio Wales in particular dosen't play "New Day", they're depriving their audience of a great song. Keep on rocking, Bruv.
Alan Rockman from Phoenix, Arizona, USA
I've never met John, but I've always loved his music and his songs - ever since I heard the sadly underrated Airwaves band - wish they had toured the states. And wish I could find their recordings on CD. Or watched him play alongside old mate Dave Edmunds (wish I had seen that Dave Edmunds Band play live). His signature sound is all over those wonderful Quo hits - "Rolling Home", "I Didn't Mean It", "All That Counts Is Love" and of course the great hit "The Party Ain't Over Yet". Recently, thanks to a fellow American who recorded at John's Berryhill studios, one Steve Power (hi Steve!) I became reacquainted with John's music and made e-mail contact with John. A great guy and marvelous musician. Hope you'll come over here one of these days, John.
Graham Chambers
John has through email commented on my songs and given advice. For a guy of his calibre and experience to help somebody that this is great. Not many others would !!
Thanks.
Marc Baragona, Santa Barbara, California, USA
After listening to "She Means Nothing To Me" sung by Phil Everly and Cliff Richard for the tenth time today, I had to write. My wife and I agree it is one of our favorite songs ever. And we own over 16,000 LPs. Whenever we can't decide what to play that LP goes on the turntable.
Keith Gater, Worcester
Great musician turned great sound engineer too! Had great fun putting down tracks at his Berry Hill studios.
Aidan & Zoe Thomas. Brooklyn, NY
We walked down the aisle to Airwaves "New Day". It was perfectly apt and is such a beautiful song. Thanks John!
paul kerr from new zealand.
the party aint over is a fantastic song along with all that counts is love.you have written some amazing songs and are a very talented person.keep it up paul....
luke williams cardiff
wanna thank every one for thier comments, john is my uncle and i agree with everyone he is a great writer and performer, its my first time on this site and cool to see people supporting his work
Berra Larsson Sweden Sundsvall
HI! I think that the song with Status Quo
"THE PARTY AINT OVER YET" is a great song written by John David, and we would like to record that song in Swedish, how do we do???
BERRA!!!
Brian from New Zealand
just listening to The Airwaves lp "New Day" for the first time..a great record..
Researching the artists while listening and came across this site. Thanks for the info...
David Buckley (x-Barracudas) London
UPDATE on previous message ie (SOMETHING IN THE AIR) I discovered that Speedy Keens full name was 'John David Speedy Keen'. This was my mistake.
John David Is still great regardless!
Accept no substitutes/There is also only one Andy Thunderclap Newman but there are imposters playing around the country.How sad for them, Beware!!!
frankie allan
great songwriter and bass player and also
a good friend he deserves this award
Joe Bloggs from Merthyr Tydfil
Rollin' Home is GREAT
Simon Cory from Geddington, UK
John David is a legend. He is one of the greatest songwriters ever to come out of Cardiff. What a man. His work with Status Quo over the years, including their current top 11 hit 'The Party Ain't Over Yet', has helped them to sustain a career of immense quality over still more years. John inspired me to start writing my own songs which I hope to get recorded some time soon. Without him, I wouldn't have discovered my talent! Well done, John, and thanks for everything.
David Buckley ( x Barracuda) London
Great to hear about John who did a great job on our Album 'Drop Out' 25 years ago! He was nearly killed when Rat Scabies attacked him with a fire extinguisher! He later apologised however those were extreme times. I am playing with Andy Thunderclap Newman to recreate the album Hollywood Live. It will go out as the Andy Thunderclap Newman Band. Andy is in great shape and did John David co-write 'Something in the Air'? He has some wonderful stories and limericks to tell you if you ever get to chat to him.
Steven LeBeau from Palo Alto, California USA
What an honor to be the first person to comment on John David! John's a terrific songwriter and was a prominent early influence on my own songwriting.
As a five-year-old kid one of my favorite 7" singles was "It's Too Late" by The Searchers. Years later I found out that song was written by John David!
If you have any interest in great (power) pop records, I highly recommend finding "New Day" by John's band Airwaves. Some of the highlights on that record include John's "Love Stop", "Nobod Is", and probably his most well-known song, "You Are The New Day."
Songwriter and record producer
