Interview: http://www.rock-zone.co.uk/2012/02/13/exclusive-john-parr-talks-to-rock-zone-uk/

By David Wilson

Few musicians from England have made such a mark on America as John Parr. Calling the USA his second home, he has spent decades building a successful career working with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Meatloaf, Heart, The Beach Boys, Celine Dion, Rob Lowe, Tina Turner as well as writing songs for films including ‘Three Men and a Baby’ ‘Running Man’ and ‘St. Elmo’s’ Fire’, where his song became a No. 1 hit Worldwide and gained John many awards.

Currently touring the UK in the musical “American Anthems” and recording his next album, John kindly took time out of his busy schedule to talk exclusively to Rock Zone UK.

REVIEW: American Anthems,

The Anvil (From Daily Echo)

9:52am Wednesday 8th February 2012

By Joseph Curtis

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/music/reviews/9518258.REVIEW__American_Anthems__The_Anvil/

AMERICAN Anthems proved rock and roll is still very much alive and kicking.

Although the rockers of the 1970s and 1980s would probably wince at their work being reproduced for a musical, they would surely embrace the spirit with which it was performed.

For the cast and band were nothing short of top-notch, echoing the stars of the past as they fought to re-establish rock’s place in the musical hierarchy above the current X Factor and Simon Cowell-driven scene.

At the start of the evening the audience was promised several things from the show – singers who could sing, a live band who were playing their instruments and no auto-tuning.

It was duly delivered.

1) You have had a very varied career life: actor, writer, musician, company director, musical director, co-writer, a lead vocalist for the official Royal Wedding band, & TV work (Pablo the Matador in E4's ‘Playing It Straight’); so how did you first become involved with the entertainment business, do you have any tips for others and which aspect of your work do you enjoy the most?

 My mum used to sit me down in front of 'Singing in the Rain' and 'Guys & Dolls' which I loved and learnt every bit of. She's a music teacher so it was always in my life and I wanted to be on stage at school, in summer projects, all that stuff. In my teens I had the chance to stop doing grades and just jam with guitars in lunch breaks, I also had an incredible piano teacher who taught me to play by ear and sing along, so it just all grew organically over time. I went to Uni to do English but in my first term I got offered a job with a function band and started to realise I could maybe earn some money performing and doing what I loved. Tips? I guess just hustle, get out there, do stuff for free, get stuck in, ask questions and surround yourself with people who are better than you… I've found variety helps too, but it can be a curse to try and spread yourself too thinly. In terms of what I enjoy the most, I seem to have a satisfaction tipping point and so can only do one thing for so long, but if I had to choose to do one thing forever it would probably be singing on stage, musical theatre.

1. At what age did you become interested in music and knew this was what you wanted to do as a career?

I was singing in the school playground at 5 years old -  I was either Lonnie Donegan or the Chipmunks. I graduated to being Cliff Richard and used to win talent shows at the Saturday morning movie matinees when I was around 7 or 8, they used to call me little Cliff. Then I heard the Beatles and everything changed. Mum and dad bought me a guitar and I knew that was what my destiny would be. It was kind of a curse - always chasing the dream that was always just out of reach. After many many years I began to succeed.

2. What style of music were you first interested in? (i.e. pop, jazz, classical)

I loved all music that excited or moved me whatever the genre. Hendrix, Little Richard, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Pavarotti, Arron Copeland, Tom Jones, even Shirley Bassey – they all blew me away.

3. Living in America, is there anything that you miss from England?
 
I never considered myself a resident in America although it does hold a special place in my heart. It was the one place that gave me a chance and so that is why I am currently back there doing shows for the American military and their families. My true home is England, the country I chose to raise our family .

4. You have worked with some of the biggest stars in the business, including Meatloaf, Heart, The Beach Boys, Celine Dion, Roger Daltry and Tina Turner, so what was it like working with them? (demanding, great fun etc) .
 
The nearer the top you get in our business the nicer the people are… well usually. Meatloaf and I became good friends and shared great times together both personally and professionally. He is a scary character to most but to me I feel I really know the person. He gave me great advice and support. Tina for me is one of the true greats - to have the honor of getting to know her a little and share the stage with her at her peak was something I shall always treasure. The Boys from Journey and Toto are amongst the most talented and truly genuine people I have met. To write for Roger and share the stage for our duet of “Under a Raging Moon “ at Madison Square Garden was a dream come true for me.

5. In what has obviously been an interesting career, what would you say has been the funniest moment?
 
Oh There are so many – The Washington wives blockading the street to stop my concert – they said I was subverting American youth with my Lyrics….
Long before I had a record deal I played in the house band at Caesars Palace. We told the manager we could read music to get the gig. One week we had to back Louis Alberto and Los Trios de Paranios. Their music was in the tonic So fa scale… you can imagine – we hardly knew what G was let alone this Latin stuff – Louis  would be screaming at us during the show… “ No Fa!…. NO! So…..” it was a train wreck.

6. There was a gap of around ten years when you were away from music, why was that?
 
I was embroiled in a legal battle that I was forced to bring against someone – The British legal system let me down and it took 19 years for me to achieve justice. During that time my career froze – no one will do a deal with you when you are in litigation. It was truly heart-breaking.

7. Your most famous record, which was a number one US hit single in 1985, was "St. Elmo's Fire". What gave you the inspiration for this and how has this affected your career since?
 
I wrote the song with David Foster for a young wheelchair bound athlete, Rick Hansen who was just setting out on an attempt to wheel 25,000 around the world to raise money and awareness for spinal research. No one was really helping him at the time so we lent a hand and managed to convince the film company ,Columbia that the “St Elmo’s Fire”   lyrics where really about the move and “the pair of wheel “were Demi Moore’s jeep… we helped Rick’s foundation  raise $250,000,000 so far and next year will be the 25th anniversary of his epic journey. II’s great to have hits but to be involved in something that truly changes people lives is beyond words for me.

8. The American Anthems tour sees two fantastic events in Lincolnshire, Embassy Theatre, Skegness on Friday 3rd February and Bath Halls, Scunthorpe on Saturday 11th February, so, is this your first time in Lincolnshire?

No I love Lincolnshire and have played a lot of Airbase gigs there over the years. I was born near Sherwood forest so I am almost a local lad.

9. Away from music, what other interests do you have?
 
I breed dogs, I am a martial arts instructor, I am very much a normal person – driven but basically normal.  I try to be this even in my professional life and try not to walk around with a huge wake following me - you know like a boat makes when it goes through the water. I see that in some famous people and thank God I am not like that. I believe  that we are all the same, we all have our gifts and talents that we were blessed with. Once you believe it is all about you, you are lost.