John Wozniak
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John Wozniak | |
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| John Wozniak performing live in Scottsdale, Arizona John Wozniak performing live in Scottsdale, Arizona | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Keith Wozniak |
| Born | January 19, 1971 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, grunge, folk rock, indie rock, pop rock, psychedelic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1990–current |
| Labels | Capitol, Reality Entertainment, Deep South Entertainment |
John Keith Wozniak (born January 19, 1971) is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the band Marcy Playground.[1] He is the son of Robert Wozniak, a developmental psychologist dad, and Nora Wozniak, a free spirited Bohemian mother.
Solo career, Marcy Playground, and Personal life
John a.k.a. "Woz", learned how to play the guitar at the age of 14. His first solo effort was Zog BogBean - From the Marcy Playground, recorded in his own home in 1990. In 2006 he recorded his second solo album, Leaving Wonderland...in a fit of rage and while searching for a label to release it on, decided to call it a Marcy Playground album and include new songs recorded with the rest of the band.[1].
Aside from influences such as Neil Young, Paul Simon, and Van Morrison, a major early influence in Woz's life was his high school girlfriend from tenth grade until his freshmen year in college, Sherry Fraser, now of the band Two Ton Boa. She collaborated with Wozniak on Zog Bogbean, and on the song "Ancient Walls of Flowers" from Marcy Playground's self-titled album. The song "Sherry Fraser" was written about her. They were known for being good friends throughout high school and would make movies or write together.
Woz moved to Great Neck, Long Island in 1994 in order to collaborate with his then friend Jared Kotler, a multi-instrumentalist/music producer. John had written two albums worth of material and began recording what would become the eponymous "Marcy Playground" recordings at Sabella Recording studios in suburban New York. This included the definitive recording of the soon to be hit single "Sex and Candy". More recording sessions followed with John and Jared hiring Dylan Keefe to take over bass playing duties. Over two albums of material were recorded at Sebella by Engineer Ken Goia and these recordings brought the band to the attention of Capitol Records. The band was soon signed to Capitol and began a year long series of club dates in New York City performing live in support of "Marcy Playground". The band then began a radio promotion tour of the US following the release of the first single "Poppies". Shortly after the label then released the follow-up single "Sex and Candy". This song became a smash hit, and ended up rising to a then-record 15 weeks at number one on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. Three albums later, the band produced several singles and several other semi-hits. Woz continues to regularly write, record and tour with Marcy Playground. Woz is remarried and has a son named Keegan, by whom the song "Keegan's Christmas" is inspired.
Other Collaborations
- On June 6, 1997, at the John Anson Ford Theatre in Hollywood, Woz joined Toad the Wet Sprocket on stage during the band's encore, trading verses with Toad frontman Glen Phillips, to sing a cover of David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust". [2]
- In 2003, Woz helped produce Canadian rock band Stabilo's second album, recorded at John's studio known as Mushroom Studios.
- Later that year, Woz would work with Jimi Haha of the band Jimmie's Chicken Shack to write the song "Paper Dolls", a fast punk-sounding song about growing up and being manipulated. The song appeared on both bands albums in 2004.[3]
- In 2006, Woz teamed up with Canadian hit-maker Daniel Powter ("Bad Day") amongst other musicians to add new flavor to Leaving Wonderland...in a fit of rage, the solo album turned Marcy Playground album.
References
- ^ Prato, Greg. "Biography: Marcy Playground". AMG. Retrieved May 19, 2010.