Sat 10 May 2025 7:00pm

Johnny Hates Jazz

at Trading Boundaries, East Sussex

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£35.00

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What's On / East Sussex / Music

Please note: Info provided by the Event Organiser

Johnny Hates Jazz, comprising Clark Datchler (songwriting, vocals, keyboards) and Mike Nocito (production, engineering, guitars), achieved prominence in the late 1980s with a string of hits, notably "Shattered Dreams." Released in March 1987, the song reached top 5 in the UK, mainland Europe, Asia, and secured the second position in Japan. This was followed by global successes like the anti-war anthem "I Don’t Want To Be A Hero," "Turn Back The Clock" (featuring Kim Wilde), "Heart Of Gold," and "Don’t Say It’s Love." In 1988, "Shattered Dreams" reached number 2 on the US Billboard chart and topped the US Adult Contemporary chart. That same year, the album "Turn Back The Clock" entered the UK charts at number 1, selling over four million copies and achieving triple-platinum status. After parting ways at their peak, Johnny Hates Jazz reunited in 2010 and released the album "Magnetized" in 2013, the title track becoming an instant radio hit in the UK. In 2018, the band marked the 30th Anniversary of "Turn Back The Clock" with a special edition featuring new acoustic versions of every song. Their 2020 release,"Wide Awake," drawn on inspiration from their musical roots in the 1970s. In addition, Clark has also co-written new material for Mike and The Mechanics with Genesis legend Mike Rutherford. Now, for the first time in 36 years Johnny Hates Jazz will be embarking on their first ever headline tour of the UK and overseas.

Johnny Hates Jazz

In 1987, as the era of Electronic Pop and New Romantics was reaching its culmination, Anglo-American group Johnny Hates Jazz featuring Clark Datchler and Mike Nocito were catapulted to success with the release of their single 'Shattered Dreams' on Virgin Records. It became a top 5 hit worldwide, reaching number 2 in the USA and Japan, and has since been played over 3.5 million times on American radio alone. 'Shattered Dreams' was followed by other hits including the anti-war anthem 'I Don't Want To Be A Hero', 'Turn Back The Clock' (featuring Kim Wilde) and 'Heart Of Gold'. Their album 'Turn Back The Clock' entered the UK charts at number 1, going double-platinum and selling 4 million copies in the process. It is arguably one of the definitive albums of the 1980's, and is one of only two debut albums released by Virgin Records that immediately went to the top of the charts upon its release — the other being ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ by The Sex Pistols. The band went their separate ways shortly afterwards, deciding to focus on other musical projects instead. In fact, over the next 20 years, they completely lost contact with one and other. However in 2010, original members Clark Datchler (lead singer/songwriter/keyboard player) and Mike Nocito (producer/engineer/ bass guitarist) decided to come back together to write, record and produce a brand new Johnny Hates Jazz album. At the same time, they began to perform live at international festivals. That album, titled 'Magnetized', was released in 2013, and the single of the same name became a huge radio hit in both the UK and Germany. Unfortunately, Clark collapsed in London shortly afterwards, and was diagnosed with a serious illness. All promotion came to an abrupt halt, and he spent much of the following year recovering. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and JHJ began to perform again at festivals in Europe and Asia. They toured the UK in 2016, appearing at theatres across the country. During this time, Clark also joined forced with Genesis legend Mike Rutherford to co-write the new Mike and The Mechanics album, ‘Let Me Fly’.

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