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JOHNNY DUNCAN

Who is Johnny Duncan, you ask? If you were to ask Paul McCartney or George Harrison of the Beatles you would no doubt get a very glowing, comprehensive answer as Johnny Duncan's style of music was a big influence on the Beatles during the time they were shaping their own unique style. Johnny Duncan was a pioneer in the field of "Skiffle" music that was the rage in Britain in the mid to late '50's. Combining elements of folk, bluegrass, and pop/rock, skiffle was a very distinctive genre of music that drew from all these roots, yet was distinctively unique. And, for a magical season in the late 50's and early 60's, Johnny's star shone very, very brightly. Now here's the real kicker for those of us who know and love Oliver Springs... Johnny Duncan was one of us!!

    Born Sept. 7, 1932, and raised in the Windrock coal mining camp overlooking the town of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, Johnny Duncan came into a musical family. The son of a coal miner, Johnny learned from an early age to sing the sweet harmonies of the gospel choirs and quartets in the rural Baptist church where his family worshipped. Johnny sang in the choir, then as a teenager in a gospel quartet.

    If Johnny was raised in Oliver Springs, how did he wind up in England as a huge music star? Johnny was drafted into the army, winding up in England in 1952. There he met a British girl named Betty, fell in love, and was married. They came back to the states, but Betty became sick and they returned to England.

Johnny performed  his unique brand of music at various clubs in England, finally attracting the attention of producer Dennis Preston. After a poor reception to their cover version of Hank William's "Kaw-liga" Johnny and his band, "The Bluegrass Boys", recorded and released the single "Last Train to San Fernando". It was a smash hit, streaking into the top 20 and staying there for several weeks.

The Oliver Springs Historical Society’s October 2001 meeting was pleased to have a visitor, Keith Glass, who shared with us some information about Johnny Duncan.  Keith made a special trip to Oliver Springs during a business trip to this country from his home in Sydney, Australia.  He is a producer, writer and performer.  Keith was a personal friend of Johnny Duncan during his adult years abroad, and when he began to write the Johnny Duncan Story for a CD he was producing he became curious about Johnny’s early years.  He contacted members of the OSHS, and was able to learn more about Johnny’s childhood, and discuss it with him before his death.  The Duncan CD, “Last Train…From Tennessee to Taree” is sold by Rollercoaster Records of England. website:www.rollercoasterrecords.com

Keith also presented the Society with some Duncan memorabilia for the Museum.

All in all, it was a wonderful time as Keith captivated those present at the October meeting with anecdotes of Johnny Duncan's life, from his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to musical glory and beyond.

Click on the Johnny Duncan picture to go to the Keith Glass article.....

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