finetune artist: Johnny Hates Jazz

Purveyors of super-slick pop, this UK band derived their unusual name from a friend called Johnny who, literally, did not like jazz. The line-up featured Calvin Hayes (b. England; keyboards/drums), Mike Nocito (b. 5 August 1963, Wiesbaden, Germany; guitar/bass) and Clark Datchler (b. England; vocals/keyboards), the son of former Stargazers member Fred Datchler. Datchler was later replaced by multi-instrumentalist Phil Thornalley (b. Philip Thornalley, 5 January 1960, Worlingham, Suffolk, England; vocals/guitar, ex-Cure). The connection between all four was RAK Records, the label owned by Hayes' father, Mickie Most. Thornalley co-wrote the band's unsuccessful RAK single, 1986's "Me And My Foolish Heart", but he could not front the band as he was producing Robbie Nevil. Hayes brought in ex-Hot Club team-mate Datchler and some expensive suits, and at the end of the year the new line-up signed to Virgin Records. "Shattered Dreams" (the Datchler-penned follow-up) was a UK Top 5 hit during 1987, and fared even better in the US where it narrowly failed to top the Billboard singles chart. Three further Top 20 hits followed during the next year: "I Don't Want To Be A Hero", "Turn Back The Clock" and "Heart Of Gold". The band's first album topped the UK charts, but they were unable to sustain that level of commercial appeal. Datchler would go on to resume a largely unsuccessful solo career in 1988, releasing singles like "Crown Of Thorns" and the albums Raindance (1990) and Fishing For Souls (1992). The Thornalley-led line-up released one further album before disbanding. Thornalley's subsequent songwriting and production career has included successful work for Bryan Adams and Natalie Imbruglia.

Listen to Johnny Hates Jazz at Finetune.

Shattered Dreams
Turn Back The Clock
I Don't Want To Be A Hero
Heart Of Gold
Different Seasons