Jon Washington started his career in pop music in the early 1960s as one of Reg Calvert's Clifton
Hall artists. His first record, Derinda was released on the English Orial label in 1962.
Later that year under the management of the late Reg Calvert, Washington was teamed up with Rod
Bainbridge and Barry Pritchard to form a group to back another one of Calvert's artists.
This newly formed group became the nucleus of the world-renowned vocal group, The Fortunes, whose
Decca recordings of You've Got Your Troubles I've Got Mine, Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling
Again and Seasons In The Sun topped the music charts all over the world. Washington left the
group early in its development and was replaced by another Clifton Hall artist, Glen Dale.
Washington's first effort as a new solo artist gleaned him a British chart record with the
Les Reed/Barry Mason song Spare a Thought For Me on the Phillips Fontana label. Later, during
the group-driven British pop music era, Jon Washington became the lead singer of the English pop
group, the Applejacks. The group topped the British charts with the ever popular songs, Tell Me When,
Three Little Words and Like Dreamers Do (written for the Applejacks by McCartney and Lennon) all
released on Decca Records.
The Applejacks moved to Columbia Records and released their single, You've Bin Cheatin and continued
a hectic touring schedule all over the world. During the last years of the Applejacks, Washington
appeared in the Universal movie, Voyage Of A Maiden (filmed in its entirety on board the newly launched
British ocean liner, The Queen Elisabeth 2). Washington and his partner, Martin Baggon wrote the
theme music for the movie, titled Rosemary.
After four years Washington left the Applejacks to appear in the English production of the hit musical
Hair. Inspired by the acting experience, Washington decided to move to the USA to pursue his career
on the other side of the Atlantic. Washington's first visit to America was in the year of 1965; he had
toured there many times through the years and this time he planned to make the move a permanent one.
On his arrival in the USA, Washington moved to New York City and signed with the production team of
Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. This association gave Washington his first American chart record with his
self-penned Columbia single, Sugar Shine Lady. While in NYC, Washington also became one of the
fixtures in the studio background vocal scene, singing on many sessions for Atlantic records and
Eddie Kramer's Electric Lady Land studio in Greenwich Village.
In 1974 Washington signed with the Midwest Destiny management organization that were over looking the
career of hit recording artist, Maureen McGovern at the time. The Destiny organization helped Washington
put together a cabaret act that would send him all over the USA, coast to coast, from Las Vegas to Florida.
The act turned out to be successful and Washington stayed on the road sometime 48 weeks out of the year.
His single, "You'll Be My Baby Again," was released on Destiny's own PAP label, which helped push the
act to a wider audience.
In the 1980s Washington signed with Tug Boat records owned by his old friend, Doc Holiday (of the group, the
Soul Survivors fame) and moved into the red-hot 1980s country pap arena. Under the guidance of producer
Doc Holiday, Washington scored with five consecutive chart records, the most notable being A One Dance
Love Affair and Two Hearts. Both Songs hit the American Billboard charts and stayed there for
serveral weeks. His recording of the country pop version of the Fortune's song Here Comes That Rainy
Day Feeling Again has remained a staple of country radio and still continues to receive airplay.
In the 1990s Washington formed a new band, Jon Washington's Sounds of the Fortunes as a
tribute to his old band mates. Washington and his band now live and work in the entertainment
capitol of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sounds of the Fortunes have released two albums
and continue to tour extensively.
Washington continues to write songs. His song Lady Of The Evening is the title cut on the
Norwegian superstar, Bente Bo's new album that is currently receiving airplay all over the world. In
March of 2003, Jon Washington's new solo album, I Can Feel A Love Coming On will be
released on Mega International Records to coincide with the release of Jon Washington's first book for
the Franklin press, A Fire Within.
Jon Washington is a veteran of the 1960's music scene that changed the world of pop music forever.
He is a singer, songwriter, actor and musician who has now become an author. His television and
acting credits are extensive. We are now pursuing radio and TV vehicles to promote his new album,
I Can Feel A Love Coming On and his recently released book, A Fire Within (true stories
of tragedy in the British Rock n Roll Experience).
Please send your inquiries to:
New Era Productions
10365 Talking Tree Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89129 (USA)
Phone: 702.561.8720 or 702.255.4611
Email: wnewera@aol.com
Mega International Records
27 Build American Drive
Hampton, Virginia 23666 (USA)
Phone: 757.827.8733
Email: HITHITHIT@aol.com
Smash Productions
5420 Rusty Anchor Ct
Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 (USA)
Phone: 702.395.0577
Email: SmashProductions@earthlink.net
