Jonathan King: Difference between revisions
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| accessdate = 2007-08-09}}</ref> for which he served three and a half years in jail. |
| accessdate = 2007-08-09}}</ref> for which he served three and a half years in jail. |
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==Chronological overview== |
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===1960s and 1970s=== |
===1960s and 1970s=== |
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The child of an [[United States|American]] father and an [[English people|English]] mother, King was educated at [[Charterhouse School]] and [[Trinity College, Cambridge]]. He made his first recordings with [[Joe Meek]], but those weren't released. As an undergraduate, he wrote and sang his first hit, ''Everyone's Gone to the Moon'', in 1965. Before graduating, he wrote and produced further hits such as "It's Good News Week" by [[Hedgehoppers Anonymous]] and "Johnny Reggae" by The Piglets, and also discovered, named and produced [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], whose founding members were also at Charterhouse.<ref>Information on the history of Genesis [http://www.genesis-music.com/Archivephase1.htm]</ref> |
The child of an [[United States|American]] father and an [[English people|English]] mother, King was educated at [[Charterhouse School]] and [[Trinity College, Cambridge]]. He made his first recordings with [[Joe Meek]], but those weren't released. As an undergraduate, he wrote and sang his first hit, ''Everyone's Gone to the Moon'', in 1965. Before graduating, he wrote and produced further hits such as "It's Good News Week" by [[Hedgehoppers Anonymous]] and "Johnny Reggae" by The Piglets, and also discovered, named and produced [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], whose founding members were also at Charterhouse.<ref>Information on the history of Genesis [http://www.genesis-music.com/Archivephase1.htm]</ref> |
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He ran [[Decca Records]] twice, in the late 60s and again in the late 70s. He performed and produced many songs under different names. Among these were "Let It All Hang Out", "It Only Takes A Minute", "[[Sugar, Sugar]]", "Loop di Love", "[[Hooked On A Feeling]]", "Lazybones" and "The Sun Has Got His Hat On". He produced The [[Bay City Rollers]] and sang most of their first hit, "Keep on Dancing". He backed ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' and produced the original cast album. |
He ran [[Decca Records]] twice, in the late 60s and again in the late 70s. He performed and produced many songs under different names. Among these were "Let It All Hang Out", "It Only Takes A Minute", "[[Sugar, Sugar]]", "Loop di Love", "[[Hooked On A Feeling]]", "Lazybones" and "The Sun Has Got His Hat On". He produced The [[Bay City Rollers]] and sang most of their first hit, "Keep on Dancing". He backed ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'' and produced the original cast album. |
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His own label, [[UK Records]] had hits with [[10cc]] |
His own label, [[UK Records]] had hits with [[10cc]], whom he named<ref>10cc Info [http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/10cc.htm]</ref>, Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs, [[Roy C]], Carl Malcolm with "Fattie Bum Bum", [[The First Class|First Class]] with "Beach Baby", Lobo, and St Cecilia. King frequently performed under pseudonyms, such as "Shag", "Sakkarin", "Bubblerock", "100 Ton and a Feather" and "[[Nemo]]" , although in 1975, a rendition under his own name of "Una Paloma Blanca" was named Record of the Year at the [[Ivor Novello]] awards. He had another Top 40 hit in 1978 under his own name with a song titled "One for Me, One for You". |
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In 2001, the satirical journal ''[[Private Eye]]'' parodied the title of his first hit with a caption showing King singing "Everyone's Gone to the Police". ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' also quoted from the chorus of "Una Paloma Blanca": "No-one can take my freedom away". |
In 2001, the satirical journal ''[[Private Eye]]'' parodied the title of his first hit with a caption showing King singing "Everyone's Gone to the Police". ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' also quoted from the chorus of "Una Paloma Blanca": "No-one can take my freedom away". |
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From September 1995, he presented a programme on [[Talk Radio UK]] from 10-12 every weekday morning which lasted six months. |
From September 1995, he presented a programme on [[Talk Radio UK]] from 10-12 every weekday morning which lasted six months. |
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In 1997 he was awarded the [[British_Phonographic_Industry|BPI]] Man Of The Year Award in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel with a message of support from Prime Minister Tony Blair <ref>Blair's comment [[http://www.biogs.com/blair/blair7.html]]</ref>. He went on to release a compilation tribute CD to the Harry Potter phenomenon in 1999<ref>Harry Potter CD [[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Ron-Hermione-Wizards-Characters/dp/B00003G1GJ/ref=sr_1_21/202-6300041-7817456?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185005936&sr=8-21]]</ref>, and recorded a version of "[[Who Let the Dogs Out]]?" |
In 1997 he was awarded the [[British_Phonographic_Industry|BPI]] Man Of The Year Award in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel with a message of support from Prime Minister Tony Blair <ref>Blair's comment [[http://www.biogs.com/blair/blair7.html]]</ref>. He went on to release a compilation tribute CD to the Harry Potter phenomenon in 1999<ref>Harry Potter CD [[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harry-Ron-Hermione-Wizards-Characters/dp/B00003G1GJ/ref=sr_1_21/202-6300041-7817456?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185005936&sr=8-21]]</ref>, and recorded a version of "[[Who Let the Dogs Out]]?", before the Baha Men hit, under the name Fatt Jakk and His Pack Of Pets <ref>"Who Let the Dogs Out [[http://www.aatw.com/audio.php?id=85000020]]</ref>. |
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===2001-2004 Conviction and jail=== |
===2001-2004 Conviction and jail=== |
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In November 2000, King was questioned by police, and charged with sexual offences dating back to the early 1970s. After the case attracted publicity, several more men came forward with complaints, and he was charged and convicted of six offences of indecent assault, buggery and attempted buggery. In a second trial he was acquitted of all charges.<ref>King's certificate of acquittal on his website [http://www.kingofhits.co.uk/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,54/?g2_itemId=416]</ref><ref name="GuardU">{{cite news |
In November 2000, King was questioned by police, and charged with sexual offences dating back to the early 1970s. After the case attracted publicity, several more men came forward with complaints, and he was charged and convicted of six offences of indecent assault, buggery and attempted buggery. The presiding Judge, Judge Paget, addressed King directly describing the crimes as a serious breach of trust and saying "You used your fame and success to attract adolescent and impressionable boys".<ref name="BBCnews" /> In a second trial he was acquitted of all charges.<ref>King's certificate of acquittal on his website [http://www.kingofhits.co.uk/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,54/?g2_itemId=416]</ref><ref name="GuardU">{{cite news |
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| date = 2005-03-29 |
| date = 2005-03-29 |
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| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1447337,00.html |
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| accessdate = 2007-08-09 }}</ref> A |
| accessdate = 2007-08-09 }}</ref> A [[Jon Ronson]] documentary on [[Channel 4]] explored these issues, asking the question 'Is Jonathan King a dangerous predator, or a victim of the shifting sands of morality?'<ref>{{cite web |
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Revision as of 00:50, 10 August 2007
Jonathan King | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 December 1944 |
| Other names | Kenneth George King |
| Occupation | music producer |
| Website | www.kingofhits.com |
Jonathan King (born Kenneth George King on 6 December 1944) is a British singer, TV personality, and pop music producer.[1] He first came to prominence when he wrote and sang "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" in 1965, going on to become a record label executive and media entrepreneur, selling 40 million records under various pseudonyms.[2]
In 2001 he was convicted of sexually abusing five youths in the 1980s,[3] for which he served three and a half years in jail.
1960s and 1970s
The child of an American father and an English mother, King was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He made his first recordings with Joe Meek, but those weren't released. As an undergraduate, he wrote and sang his first hit, Everyone's Gone to the Moon, in 1965. Before graduating, he wrote and produced further hits such as "It's Good News Week" by Hedgehoppers Anonymous and "Johnny Reggae" by The Piglets, and also discovered, named and produced Genesis, whose founding members were also at Charterhouse.[4]
Soon after King graduated, his Saturday evening ITV series Good Evening; I'm Jonathan King, was seen nationally for six months.
He ran Decca Records twice, in the late 60s and again in the late 70s. He performed and produced many songs under different names. Among these were "Let It All Hang Out", "It Only Takes A Minute", "Sugar, Sugar", "Loop di Love", "Hooked On A Feeling", "Lazybones" and "The Sun Has Got His Hat On". He produced The Bay City Rollers and sang most of their first hit, "Keep on Dancing". He backed The Rocky Horror Show and produced the original cast album.
His own label, UK Records had hits with 10cc, whom he named[5], Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs, Roy C, Carl Malcolm with "Fattie Bum Bum", First Class with "Beach Baby", Lobo, and St Cecilia. King frequently performed under pseudonyms, such as "Shag", "Sakkarin", "Bubblerock", "100 Ton and a Feather" and "Nemo" , although in 1975, a rendition under his own name of "Una Paloma Blanca" was named Record of the Year at the Ivor Novello awards. He had another Top 40 hit in 1978 under his own name with a song titled "One for Me, One for You".
In 2001, the satirical journal Private Eye parodied the title of his first hit with a caption showing King singing "Everyone's Gone to the Police". The Mail on Sunday also quoted from the chorus of "Una Paloma Blanca": "No-one can take my freedom away".
1980s and 1990s
King presented his own daily radio show from 10-12 on New York's WMCA throughout 1980 and started doing regular reports from the US on Top of the Pops. These developed into Entertainment USA, a successful BBC2 series. He also created and produced No Limits.
During the 1980s, he wrote a column in The Sun for eight years; Bizarre USA. He has written regular features in many other newspapers and magazines, and has two published novels.
King wrote and hosted the BRIT Awards for the BBC in 1987 and he wrote and produced them in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1995, he took over A Song For Europe, the BBC quest for a Eurovision Song Contest winner. The 1996 entrant by Gina G "Just A Little Bit" went to No1 and the 1997 entrant Katrina and the Waves' "Love Shine a Light" won the contest. He was also responsible for the Record of the Year shows on British television, regularly shown at Christmas.
In 1993, he formed The Tip Sheet, a music weekly publication, which continues online as a message board discussing and promoting unknown and unsigned musical acts.
From September 1995, he presented a programme on Talk Radio UK from 10-12 every weekday morning which lasted six months.
In 1997 he was awarded the BPI Man Of The Year Award in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel with a message of support from Prime Minister Tony Blair [6]. He went on to release a compilation tribute CD to the Harry Potter phenomenon in 1999[7], and recorded a version of "Who Let the Dogs Out?", before the Baha Men hit, under the name Fatt Jakk and His Pack Of Pets [8].
2001-2004 Conviction and jail
In November 2000, King was questioned by police, and charged with sexual offences dating back to the early 1970s. After the case attracted publicity, several more men came forward with complaints, and he was charged and convicted of six offences of indecent assault, buggery and attempted buggery. The presiding Judge, Judge Paget, addressed King directly describing the crimes as a serious breach of trust and saying "You used your fame and success to attract adolescent and impressionable boys".[3] In a second trial he was acquitted of all charges.[9][10]
During his time in jail, King was a model prisoner, contributing to the prison journal Inside Time. His only complaint was the quality of the food at Belmarsh.[11] On 29th March, 2005 King was released on early parole, half way through his seven year sentence, stating "I've had a brilliant three-and-a-half years for crimes... I did not commit".[12]
King continues to deny all wrongdoing, stating that no such sexual contact took place, and also that no-one engaged in any activity that they did not enjoy. King has also drawn comparisons between his prosecution and the charges Oscar Wilde faced.[12] A Jon Ronson documentary on Channel 4 explored these issues, asking the question 'Is Jonathan King a dangerous predator, or a victim of the shifting sands of morality?'[13][14]
2005 Onwards
On his release he stated his intention to return to the music and entertainment industry[15], and played a role in supporting the US band Orson, whom he discovered on MySpace. He promoted them in his magazine "the Tip Sheet", and they later released successful singles and album in the UK. His 1970 hit Let It All Hang Out was revived in 2007 when Fosters used the song for their Twist Lager TV campaign.
In 2007 he released a collection of mainly new songs, entitled "Earth to King" and put several videos on many online sites, including YouTube, My Space, and Google Video, collecting them together on his official site, Kingofhits.co.uk. One of these songs attracted controversy in July 2007, when it was seen to defend the serial killer Harold Shipman. [16]
References
- ^ Jonathan King[1]
- ^ A Jon Ronson profile of JK reports record sales of 40 million [2]
- ^ a b "Pop mogul jailed for sex abuse". BBC News. 2001-11-21. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Information on the history of Genesis [3]
- ^ 10cc Info [4]
- ^ Blair's comment [[5]]
- ^ Harry Potter CD [[6]]
- ^ "Who Let the Dogs Out [[7]]
- ^ King's certificate of acquittal on his website [8]
- ^ "Jonathan King jailed for child sex abuse". Guardian Unlimited. 2001-11-21. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ King's comments on food in Jail [9]
- ^ a b "Jonathan King freed". Guardian Unlimited. 2005-03-29. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "The Double Life of Jonathan King (2002)". BFI Film & TV Database. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Ronson, Jon (2001). "The Double Life of Jonathan King". jonronson.com. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Jonathan King is released from prison [10]
- ^ BBC Article concerning Jonathan King's song 'The True Story of Harold Shipman [11]