Brian Chatton

Brian Charles Chatton (born 19 July 1948 in Farnworth, Lancashire, England) is an English keyboardist, author and songwriter. He played with bands like the Warriors with singer Jon Anderson and then formed another group named Hickory with drummer and singer Phil Collins, they changed their name for Flaming Youth. Then he joined ex-bassist of The Nice, Lee Jackson, when the latter formed the second lineup of a band called Jackson Heights.

Brian Chatton
Born (1948-07-19) 19 July 1948
Farnworth, Lancashire, England
GenresProgressive rock, rock
InstrumentsKeyboards
Associated actsThe Warriors, Flaming Youth, Jackson Heights, Boys Don't Cry

Biography

Early years

Chatton was born in Farnworth, Lancashire, England. From 1950 to 1965, the family lived in Kearsley.[1]

From 1961, Chatton was in The Three Jets with lead guitarist Barry Reynolds (b. Bolton, Lancashire, England).

From 1965 to 1967, Chatton was in the Warriors, with Jon Anderson on vocals, his Brother Tony Anderson on vocals and harmonica, Rod Hill and Mike Brereton on guitars, Dave Foster on bass (later in Badger with ex-Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye) and future King Crimson drummer Ian Wallace. Jon would eventually join Yes.[2] When Chatton and Anderson moved to London, Chatton met Phil Collins and they formed a band to back John Walker of The Walker Brothers. Leaving Walker, the pair formed their own band, Hickory,[3] which then evolved into Flaming Youth.[1][4][5]

1970s

He played keyboards in Jackson Heights from their second album on. Around 1974, he was in Snafu for a short period, alongside Micky Moody and Colin Gibson. He appeared on their third album, All Funked Up, released 1975. He was on the first Rock Follies album in 1976. He joined a band put together by Chas Chandler (Animals) and backed Eric Burdon for 8 months, which included dates with both Santana, and Journey at Wembley Stadium. He also wrote the music for Eric's lyrics for a movie featuring Terence Stamp, called "Les Human." He did various sessions in London, playing with Ginger Baker. 3–5-year touring, Recording and touring with John Miles band. Toured in America for first time. Roger Glover (Deep Purple) Mike Giles (King Crimson) Jack Green (Marc Bolan/Pretty Things) played on 4 of Jack's albums. Nico McBrain, Pat Travers, Iron Maiden, John PorterShep Pettibone (Producer – Pet Shop Boys)

In July 1979, Chatton joined Anderson, Allan Holdsworth, Jack Bruce and Adrian Tilbrook for a one-off performance in London as The All-Star Rock Band.

1980s

He wrote "Take My Love and Run" for The Hollies, their last Polydor single, released in 1981. He also appeared with The Hollies when they promoted the single on TV. He wrote further material for the band's next album, What Goes Around.

He toured with Meatloaf[1] in 1984.

He co-wrote the title track of Madness, Money & Music, Sheena Easton's third album.

In the 1980s, he was in Boys Don't Cry, who had a hit single with "I Wanna Be a Cowboy". They also included their own version of "Take My Love and Run" on certain versions of their first full-length album. They released three albums during the 80s and reformed to release new material in 2014.

Other work

He later collaborated on the Uzlot project with Jon Anderson. It stood for over 30 years and then material from this was re-worked and included on Anderson's 1000 Hands solo album, which was released in March 2019. He wrote 7 of the 11 songs =, played some keyboards and sang some backing vocals. Guests on 1000 Hands playing Brian's material include: Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Jean Luc Ponty, Steve Howe, Alan White, Ian Anderson and many more. He has also worked with BB King, Robin Gibb, Keith Emerson,[1] Alan White, Brian Auger, Albert Lee. He has also written music for TV and many adverts featured around the world.

Recent years

He now lives in California and is planning to release his autobiography,[1] Rolling with Rock Royalty, in 2017. Promotional work for the book also involves former Yes keyboardist, Tony Kaye. Charlotte and Emily Chatton are his daughters.[6] ROLLING WITH ROCK ROYALTY Brian took 7 years to write and release his autobiography. A link to this and all other projects Brian has produced and performed can be found at Brianchatton.com He has had to cancel tours etc due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will continue to tour immediately after the pandemic passes.

Lists of collaborators

Discography

Solo
  • Playing for Time (1981), as Chatton, with Phil Collins among others
  • Spellbound (1989)[7]
  • Chatton Classic Covers – Chapter One (2000)
  • Industrial Variety, library music

The Warriors

- Single :

  • You Came Along/Don't Make Me Blue (1964)

- Albums :

  • Bolton Club (2003)
  • The Lost Demos (2020)

Flaming Youth

- Singles :

  • Guide Me, Orion/From Now On (Immortal Invisible) (1969)
  • Man, Woman And Child/Drifting (1969)
  • From Now On (Immortal Invisible)/Space Child (1969)
  • Guide me, Orion/Earthglow/Pulsar/From now on ( Immortal Invisible ) (1969)

- Album :

  • Ark 2 (1969)

Jackson Heights
  • The Fifth Avenue Bus (1972)
  • Ragamuffin's Fool (1973)
  • Bump 'n' Grind (1973)

Snafu

Rock Follies

John Miles

Boys Don't Cry
  • Don't Talk to Strangers (EP) (1983), before he was an official member
  • Boys Don't Cry (1986)
  • Who the Am Dam Do You Think We Am? (1987)
  • White Punks on Rap (2009), with unreleased songs from 1983 to 1999
  • Hear It Is (2014)

Sessions

References
  1. "Local lad Brian Chatton speaks about his 'Crazy Daze' with Jimi Hendrix, Jon Anderson and Phil Collins". The Bolton News. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. "Jon Anderson Teams Up With Jean Luc Ponty, Talks Former Yes Bandmates & Creative Visions (Interview) - Glide Magazine". Glidemagazine.com. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. Carter, Brooke (11 October 2016). "What Happened to Phil Collins- News & Updates - The Gazette Review". Gazettereview.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. Coleman, Ray. Phil Collins: The Definitive Biography. Simon & Schuster, 1997. London.
  5. Phil Collins, "Not Dead Yet", 2016
  6. "Hope remains for dads once in bands". Salon.com. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. Brian Chatton – Spellbound Discogs.com, Retrieved 18 February 2017.
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