Jet Black
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Jet Black |
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Jet Black (born Brian John Duffy, 26 August 1938,[1][2] Ilford, Essex) is an English drummer and founder member of punk rock / new wave band The Stranglers.[3]
Career
Early years
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][6] He was also the owner of one of the earliest home brewing equipment companies, at the time of a vogue in home brewing.
He became a full-time professional musician in the mid 1970s and met Hugh Cornwell of band Johnny Sox after reading an advertisement in the Melody Maker magazine.[7][8] Cornwell joined Black in The Stranglers in 1974.[9]
Later years
His style is usually simple and jazz-influenced[10], although "Duchess" and "Down in the Sewer" are examples of Stranglers songs that feature more frantic drumming. 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. Black is still currently drumming for The Stranglers, despite his advancing years.[11][12][13] His name is frequently chanted by the crowd at concerts.[14]
Possible retirement
Speaking ahead of their 2008/2009 tour, Stranglers bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel said: "None of us are getting any younger but our drummer, Jet Black, is 70 now so I don't know how much longer he's going to want to carry on. I mean, he was always a lot older than the rest of the band but I don't think we'd carry on without him."[15] However, in October 2009, it was announced that the band (featuring Black) would embark on a 16-date tour in February and March 2010.[16]
Views on The Stranglers
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."[17]
He wrote a short book, Much Ado About Nothing, which detailed the riots in France which were blamed on The Stranglers' presence in 1981.[18]
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.[19][20]
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 regularly played with the band again, although he was unable to travel very long distances at that time.
In mid-2008, he was absent from several Stranglers gigs.[21][22] It was shortly thereafter announced that he was suffering from chest problems and was "not rushing back to work" on the advice of his doctor. In September 2008, he returned to full rehearsals and began touring with the band on 13 October.[23]
During his absences, his temporary replacement was Ian Barnard, who is also his full-time drum tech. He was also replaced by Barnard in a concert in Helsinki, on 13 January 2009 because of jet lag.
Honour campaign
In 2008, an online petition on the British Government website campaigning for him to be included in the next list of honours attracted 477 signatures and was mentioned in the national press.[24]
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.[25]
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."[25]
He currently lives in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, where he reportedly designs and builds wooden furniture.[26]
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
- ^ TRIBUTE - THE STRANGLERS: The stranglers' timeline.(Chronology) - Music Week
- ^ The Stranglers: A short history at The Stranglers official website.
- ^ Musician Guide - The Stranglers Lyrics and Biography
- ^ Access My Library - TRIBUTE - THE STRANGLERS: The stranglers' timeline.(Chronology)
- ^ BBC Music - 'Norfolk Coast' review
- ^ Sunday Mail - Stranglers sign up for T in the Park
- ^ Review: The Stranglers, Newcastle Carling Academy - Journal Live
- ^ GIG REVIEW: The Stranglers - Yorkshire Evening Post
- ^ The Stranglers - Norwich Evening News 24
- ^ 'Stranglers tour could be their last' - Hull Daily Mail: 23 October 2008
- ^ The Stranglers announce UK tour and ticket details - - The NME
- ^ The Raven album (2001 CD re-release) sleeve notes
- ^ The Stranglers books - NME.com
- ^ Patent Storm - system for remotely playing a percussion musical instrument
- ^ Business fund for bright ideas - BBC News Online: Sci/Tech
- ^ Concert Review: The Stranglers and Blondie - The Jerusalem Post
- ^ Sex Pistols at Isle of Wight: More parent than punk - Daily Telegraph
- ^ String of hits to make gig golden - Birmingham Mail
- ^ The Economist - The internet and politics: Semi-connected
- ^ a b Hugh Cornwell - A Multitude of Sins - ISBN 0007193254
- ^ Twenty years of endless Strangling - The Independent
Further reading
- The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
- Guinness Rockopedia - ISBN 0-85112-072-5