Johnny Wakelin

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Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Singles
Black Superman / Muhammad Ali (& The Kinshasa Band)
  UK 7th 02/18/1975 (10 weeks)
  US 21st 03/08/1975 (27 weeks)
In Zaire
  DE 2 08/30/1976 (26 weeks)
  AT 2 10/15/1976 (24 weeks)
  CH 2 October 29, 1976 (13 weeks)
  UK 4th 07/24/1976 (10 weeks)
Africa Man
  DE 10 December 20, 1976 (16 weeks)
  AT 8th January 15, 1977 (12 weeks)

Johnny Wakelin (* 1939 in Brighton / Sussex ) is a British singer .

Life

Wakelin wrote his first songs as a teenager. After losing a leg in a motorcycle accident, he was unsure if he could pursue a professional career. Initially, Wakelin appeared unsuccessfully in clubs in his hometown. He was then discovered by the producer Robin Blanchflower, who brought Carl Douglas to the top of the British charts with Kung Fu Fighting . After the boxing match “ Rumble in the Jungle ”, Wakelin wrote the song Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) , which hit the charts, in homage to the winner and boxing champion Muhammad Ali in January 1975 . In 1976 the title In Zaire , which was represented in the charts across Europe, was even more successful . The song deals with the Ali / Foreman boxing match "Rumble in the Jungle".

Wakelin successfully brought out the hit In Zaire in revised versions. He also remained active as a songwriter and appeared, among other things, as a guest singer with James Last . At the end of 2008 the CD Truckers Finest-Bikers Best , Singer JR Leonard was released. On June 11, 2009, the biography Long Time Running was published .

Johnny Wakelin plays around 150 club gigs every year. He worked with Louis Foster and Ian Dunnet on the WIF-Project (World in Freedom). Most of the proceeds will go to aid organizations to support world peace.

In Africa

In Africa , the CD from the WIF-Project feat. Johnny Wakelin. The lyrics critically deal with the systematic destruction of the earth and the suffering of the world's poor. Musically, the album moves in a mixture of reggae, afro-rock rhythms, combined with mainstream rock and R&B. The songs are the result of the collaboration with musicians Iain Dunnet, Dan O'Loughlain and Louis Foster of the World-in -Freedom-Project, recorded in Iain's studio in Brittany and Louis studio in Seltz, France. The CD is a charity project, the net proceeds from the downloads and the CD sales were donated to Doctors Without Borders .

Discography

Albums

  • 1976: In Zaire (alternative album title: Reggae Soul & Rock 'n' Roll )
  • 1977: African Man
  • 1978: Double Trouble
  • 1978: Golden Hour Of ...
  • 1978: The Best of Johnny Wakelin
  • 1979: Star Discotheque
  • 1984: Gems from the Pen
  • 1996: Rock 'n' Country Blues
  • 1997: From Ali to the Naz
  • 2005: Sway with Me
  • 2005: In Africa
  • 2006: Right Before My Eyes
  • 2012: In Africa
  • 2016: Best Of 40 Years

Singles and EPs

  • 1974: Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) / Bang The Drum (& The Kinshasa Band)
  • 1975: Tennessee Hero (Elvis)
  • 1975: Cream Puff
  • 1976: Reggae, Soul & Rock 'n' Roll
  • 1976: In Zaire
  • 1976: Africa Man
  • 1977: Dr. Frankenstein's Disco Party
  • 1978: Afro Afrique
  • 1979: Lay Down and Rock Me
  • 1980: In Zaire / Black Superman (Muhammad Ali)
  • 1986: Bruno
  • 2006: Ali-Revisted 2006 (EP)
  • 2007: No Smoking
  • 2013: Pebble On The Beach

swell

  1. ↑ Chart sources: DE, AT, CH, US UK
  2. ↑ 'Wake For It' by John Shearlaw from Record Mirror 7th August 1976
  3. ↑ cdbaby
  4. ↑ cdbaby

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Wakelin, Johnny
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British musician
DATE OF BIRTH 1939
PLACE OF BIRTH Brighton , Sussex