Jet Black
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| Jet Black | |
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 Jet Black performing with The Stranglers at the 2006 Bestival
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian John Duffy |
| Also known as | Jet Black |
| Born | 26 August 1938 |
| Origin | Ilford, Essex, England |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, Punk, New Wave |
| Occupation(s) | Professional drummer; electronic drum programmer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums |
| Years active | Early 1970s - present |
| Label(s) | EMI (as per The Stranglers) |
| Associated acts | The Stranglers |
- This article is about the musician. For article about the anime character, see List of Cowboy Bebop characters#Jet Black.
Jet Black (born Brian John Duffy on 26 August 1938[1][2] in Ilford, Essex) is an English drummer and one of the founder members of punk rock / new wave band The Stranglers.[3]
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[edit] Career
Black was a successful businessman up until the mid 1970s, owning a fleet of ice cream vans,[4] and an off-licence in Guildford, called 'The Jackpot'. This establishment was the base for the early Stranglers.[5]
He became a full-time professional musician in the mid 1970s and applied to join the Hugh Cornwell-led band Johnny Sox after reading an advertisement in the Melody Maker magazine.[6] Johnny Sox would later evolve into The Stranglers.[7]
Black is still currently drumming for The Stranglers, despite his advancing years.[8] His style is usually simplistic and jazz-influenced,[9] although "Duchess", and "Down in the Sewer", are frantic drumming songs live. In the mid 1980s, Black elected to cease playing acoustic drums in the recording studio and used a Simmons kit triggered by pick-ups, most notably on the Feline and Aural Sculpture albums.
He has said he is particularly fond of The Raven album because it was "the first time [The Stranglers] got major critical approval in the newspapers."[10]
He wrote a short book, Much Ado About Nothing, which detailed the riots in France which were blamed on The Stranglers' presence in 1981.
[edit] Customised equipment
During a long career in music, Black, like many other drummers, became aware of certain practical limitations inherent in the basic kit design and set about addressing the issue in the form of the now patented 'Jet Black Power Bass Drum Pedal'. This has brought new freedoms of comfort and technical feasibility to drummers. The 'Jet Black Power Bass Drum Pedal' enables the bass drum to be placed anywhere and yet remain playable.[11]
[edit] 2007 illness
In March 2007, it was announced on The Stranglers' website that he was suffering from atrial fibrillation and consequently refrained from appearing with the band until he had recovered. He played a full Stranglers concert in early June and is now regularly playing with the band again, although he is unable to travel very long distances at present.
His temporary replacement was Ian Barnard, who is also his full-time drum tech.
[edit] Honour campaign
An online petition on the British Government website campaigning for him to be included in the next lsit of honours has attracted more than 400 signatures and has been mentioned in the national press.[12]
[edit] Personal life
His second wife, Helena, left him following several arguments over the presence of The Stranglers rehearsing in their home during the early days of the band.[13]
He has apparently had no contact with former Stranglers singer Hugh Cornwell since he left the band in 1990. According to Cornwell's 2004 autobiography, when he telephoned Black to announce his resignation, the latter's response was simply 'OK, fine.'[13]
He is of Irish ancestry and currently lives in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
[edit] References
- ^ August Birthdays And Deaths, Musician Birthdates, Celebrity Deaths
- ^ The Stranglers
- ^ Top of the Pops 2 - Where Are They Now?
- ^ Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) - The Stranglers.(News)
- ^ Virgin Radio - Stranglers biography
- ^ Musician Guide - The Stranglers Lyrics and Biography
- ^ Access My Library - TRIBUTE - THE STRANGLERS: The stranglers' timeline.(Chronology)
- ^ Sunday Mail - Stranglers sign up for T in the Park
- ^ BBC Music - 'Norfolk Coast' review
- ^ The Raven album (2001 CD re-release) sleeve notes
- ^ Patent Storm - system for remotely playing a percussion musical instrument
- ^ The Economist - The internet and politics: Semi-connected
- ^ a b Hugh Cornwell - A Multitude of Sins - ISBN 0007193254
- The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
- Guinness Rockopedia - ISBN 0-85112-072-5
[edit] External links
- Prime Minister's office - petition to get Jet Black honoured
- Video Interviews with Jet Black November 2007
