In the early ’80’s the music of Howard Jones permeated the radio airwaves. Between 1983 and 1984 he had five top 10 songs, including “What Is Love,” “Things Can Only Get Better,” “Everlasting Love” and “No One Is To Blame.” His album Human’s Lib went double platinum. Jones attributes his early success to his pioneering use of synthesizers and the optimistic, self-empowering content of his lyrics. Jones believes that “songs can really lift your spirits” and that his early work “hit a chord with young people who were struggling.”
Jones grew up in a Welsh family where it was “compulsory if Welsh to be musical.” His parents required him and his brothers to perform songs and recite poetry for guests and at family gatherings. The brothers later formed a band and covered hits by The Beatles, Dave Clark 5 and the Beach Boys. Jones, who studied classical piano at college in Manchester, was fascinated by the new electronic technology that was just becoming affordable and became a “one man electronic band.” He was 28 when his music became popular and has been recording and touring ever since. He has sold over 8 million albums worldwide.
His latest project, Engage, is musical and multimedia. He funded the project through the crowdsourcing site PledgeMusic. Jones embraced this new way of funding music, which brings the artist and audience together. As part of his project he brought supporters into the studio while he was recording. He interviewed a number of his supporters about their lives and created piano solos for them.
Jones creative process draws from “stuff happening in my life.” He says, “I have to have something to say in the song,” giving the example of “When You Go,” a song he wrote about his daughter leaving for college where he was both pleased and “it breaks your heart.” Buddhist chanting, something he does twice a day, gives him the inner strength to look at the world with a positive attitude and to find something of value in every situation. Optimism infuses his music and words emerge from his melodies. He is currently working on music for films where he reflects first on the narrative ideas.
Engage will be performed as a multimedia piece in his New York concert and parts of it will be performed in Atlanta along with his greatest hits. Jones, who hasn’t performed in Atlanta for many years, is happy to be returning to play for fans, old and new. He will be at the Variety Playhouse on Sunday, Aug. 16. For tickets and information, visit VarietyPlayhouse.com.
Franklin Abbott is an Atlanta psychotherapist and poet. Find out more at franklinabbott.com.
