JOHN PAYNE – The Duke Of Rock
1) Do you recall the days that you were doing back vocals for Roger Daltrey? How was the collaboration with him?
It wasn’t a collaboration as such. It was really a big break for me. Alan Shacklock, ex Babe Ruth guitarist, and producer of Roger’s album lived in my small English Village. He’d shown some interest in me as a local artist and asked me if I like to sing backing vocals on the album. I could not believe it. What an incredible honor to sing on such an iconic album.
2) Back in the day, you were also participating in ELO. How long did you stay and what were the reasons for leaving the band?
Infamous Don Arden who owned the label and had managed the band since the beginning sent his son David to a showcase I had for a band. A few days later Don and Bev Bevan asked me to join ELO. It was around 1989. I spent a year writing and then traveling to New York for pre production with Jim Steinman. However there were legal wrangles with using just ELO so it had the part two adage and lawyers seemed to take an age. Then in 1991 I just asked to join Asia so I jumped ship.
3) Who did invite you to join the band ASIA?
I had previously been working with Geoff Downes on a project to be called Rain. One day I had a call from him to go to a meeting at Nomis Rehearsal Studios in London. Then I got the gig.
4) What memories do you have from your staying in ASIA?
Many memories. It was a huge leap for me career wise. It was also scary to front such a well know band. In fact I have 15 years of wonderful memories. From my first tour of Japan to playing in front of 120 thousand people in Estonia. It’s been a magical career.
5) Do you hold any rights for the back catalogue and the merchandise of the band ASIA?
Yes Geoff and I still jointly own all our released works from 1992 to 2005. The albums are out of print right now and we rested the catalog. However we have been talking about re releasing all the albums.
6) How did you think of creating the band Dukes of the Orient?
Erik Norlander and my good self had basically the bones of an Asia Featuring John Payne album spanning ten years. It was to be called Americana. We had actually fallen out with each other and basically lost contact. One day I picked up the phone and said let’s finish this. Thankfully he said yes. However sadly John Wetton had just died so we didn’t want to seem to use his passing and out of respect it was mutually decided to release it as another project. The name has a nod to Asia.
7) How is your collaboration with Erik Norlander?
Erik and I have much musical chemistry. I always prefer working with keyboard players. He has a very unique vintage sound and like me interested in the hook.
8) Are you satisfied with the result of the album Dukes of the Orient?
As a musician, writer and producer I always want to push myself. Every thing I do I want to be the best and I’m very self critical. That said I think it came out quite well.
9) How do you deal with the current status of the music industry?
It’s sad how it has changed. Computers tune people’s voices. Big beautiful recording studios have become apartments and albums are recorded in people’s bedrooms. Record sales and plummeted. Now it’s all about streaming. I’m just luck to have experienced it before it collapsed.
Information:
http://www.johnpayneasia.com/
http://www.dukesoftheorient.com/
