Difference between revisions of "Jon Lukas Woodenman"

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[[File:Jonlukas_1971.jpg|300px|thumb|right|jonlukaswoodenman in 1971]]
[[File:Jlw_sportsvibe.jpg|300px|thumb|right|jonlukaswoodenman in 2014]]
[[File:Jlw_sportsvibe.jpg|300px|thumb|right|jonlukaswoodenman in 2014]]



Revision as of 13:11, 18 October 2014

jonlukaswoodenman in 1971
jonlukaswoodenman in 2014

Back in the 1970s, Jon Lukas scored a first for Maltese music when he released Can't afford to lose. The song went on to become a huge hit, making him the first Maltese artist to break through at an international level. 40 years later, his milestone feat was recognized when, on 28 November 2010, his handprint was included at Bay Street's Walk of Fame. He also received a Lifetime Achievement award at that year's edition of the Malta Music Awards, which was presented to him by Freddie Portelli and featured on the TVM news that same day.


It goes without saying that Jon Lukas will forever be remembered in Maltese music history, and not only for achieving the first-ever successful pop chart placing in various foreign territories, but also for being the first Maltese pop artist to sign with a major international record company. In the 1970s, a time when in Malta the only access to pop music was via Rediffusion, FM radio and the internet were still unheard of and even making an overseas telephone call was quite complicated, dreaming of becoming a pop star was next to impossible, so the fact that Jon Lukas succeeded in getting signed to EMI Columbia was certainly a momentous feat.


At its peak Can't afford to lose was getting regular airplay on Radio Luxembourg, which was essentially the equivalent of today's MTV. Thanks to the station playing the song twice nightly for a month and with the odd playlist inclusion over the next year or so the song, spread to various territories where it made a huge impact. Considered by his fans as a classic evergreen, the song continues to enjoy regular airplay, especially in Malta.


It's worth mentioning that Can't afford to lose was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios in London, precisely in the same studio, and using the same microphones and session musicians as The Beatles at the time when the Fab Four were close to breaking up. The single's B-side Can't Make you Mine was written by Mike McGear of UK act The Scaffold, who in real life is actually Peter McCartney, brother of Sir Paul McCartney.


Apart from making it to the Top 40 charts in the UK and some other European territories, Can't afford to lose occupied the top place in the pop charts in Lebanon for a full month, holding back The Beatles' The Long and Winding Road from reaching the No.1 spot. This led to several tours in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Damascus, Iran and the rest of the Emirates, with Lukas sharing top billing alongside major names such as Googoosh, Gilbert Bécaud, Johnny Halliday, Michel Legrand, Mal, Domenico Modugno, Patti Pravo, Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Bananarama, Lisa Stansfield, Level 42 and various other international and Arab stars.



1980's jon lukas woodenman formed a close friendship with Marvin Gaye during a disturbed personal life period pre SEXUAL HEALING production . Unfinished productions amongst other stuff transpired through this period close to Marvin's unfortunate death. Love Hurts (http://tinyurl.com/6zemfyq)


1993's near Malta Euro 2nd placer winning entry called Zommni u Ghannaqni / LOVE we SHARE which was later picked for production by BIDDU of KUNG fu FIGHTING production fame. This is the first time in his career that he sang in Maltese which then opened a deep wide feeling of belonging.


1994 he broke the taboo surrounding HIV+ in Malta and started the Jon Lukas AIDS awareness campaign (http://tinyurl.com/c4qreqz) ahead in time of Lady Diana & Sir Elton startin' up on the case http://tinyurl.com/5r3cozd


1998 found him in the web charts of peoplesound.com (pre myspace indie band site) No. 1 for the whole month of August with MY TIME in connection to his then alternative band called WOODENMAN (hence the name extension later).


Things slowed down after that due to his near fatal cardiac arrest that year and a lucky recovery period.


In 2007 he was presented with an EFFIGY AWARD in Marbella Spain through ONDA CERO Radio/ABC Network Radio USA. Radio Plays in these territories followed for tracks called FAR AWAY


Throughout this thirty five year period jon lukas woodenman was based in the UK and on a mountain in Spain. He rarely visited the Island for long years stretches.


Early 2009 found him back in Malta for nearly six months aside his mother's lingering death bed. Filling a 30 year gap apart for weekly visits.

He had later on 2009 into 2010 featured as music guru on Malta's cool hit talent show on ONE TV called ID and at the same time started his distinctive cutting edge radio show called woodenman's jukebox which is [streamed live on Fridays at 2045hrs CET (1945hrs UK) on ONE Radio and on Wednesdays on CHANNEL RADIO UK on Wednesdays at 1900hrs CET (1800hrs UK)with a repeat on Fridays 2200hrs CET (2100hrs UK).


Shows are post airing uploaded to facebook woodenman's jukebox PAGE (with the ear bleeding logo) where they remain indefinitely on same page wall in separate players for one to listen on-demand 132 Editions available up to date 10 10 14. Welcome to join this woodenman's jukebox FAN page on facebook . http://tinyurl.com/3kfxaef here one can listen to all past show Editions. At one's own time. Retail Outlets can through this page plug laptop to shop speakers . FREELY aquiring uninterrupted CREDIBLE MUSIC. No Talk.

Welcome to also join the other woodenman's jukebox GROUP PAGE on facebook . http://tinyurl.com/cv3epwa here one can join in comments, requests, acquire playlists, interact ..etc... bands can post freely all their events, photos, videos ads., on this woodenman's jukebox facebook GROUP PAGE.

woodenman now visits frequently the Island to pre-record seasons ahead for these shows on one long blast basis.


Later, Adrian Saliba of REWIND PRODUCTIONS had commissioned him to write ONE 4 U for Malta Eurosong 2010.


Early in 2010 woodenman was diagnosed with lung cancer, which left him without part of one of his lungs. This was followed by a gruelling four month chemotherapy course. He is now since undergoing the stage of the high 5 year cancer situation. CANCER UPDATES links (http://tinyurl.com/d473mpl http://tinyurl.com/cwy9cdg http://tinyurl.com/buu8y2d)


In August 2010 a personal tribute by Winter Moods (Malta's biggest band of its music history) was given towoodenman during their 10.000 audience attended concert ..... an historical gross attendance first, considering the size of this small Island.

In May 2011 his first post-cancer live appearance courtesy of Winter Moods in tribute concert. He also featured in the TVM's biography about Winter Moods.


Discography

1970 Jon Lukas - Can't afford to lose

1993 Jon Lukas & Marita - Love we share (original version) (instrumental)

1993 Jon Lukas & Marita - Żommni u Għannaqni

1998 Woodenman - My time

2007 jonlukaswoodenman - Far away (orchestrated version) (acoustic version)

2007 jonlukaswoodenman - Better man

2011 jonlukaswoodenman - Never go away (original version) (Scott Walker CodeRed Mix)

2012 Theme from Xablott (info)

2012 jonlukaswoodenman - Ain't no mountain (tribute to Marvin Gaye)

2013 jonlukaswoodenman - Bad news

2014 jonlukaswoodenman - Older-Better? (original version)

2014 jonlukaswoodenman - Older-Better? (live on Sportsvibe Sessions)

2014 Lyndsay ft. jonlukaswoodenman - Regent Street (Official video)

See also

A word with Woodenman (Michael Bugeja, The Sunday Times of Malta, 16 June 2013)

jonlukaswoodenman Photo gallery

Jon Lukas appearing on Iranian National TV with Googoosh circa 1972

jonlukaswoodenman on The Sapiano TV Show (February 2, 2012) (Part 1) (Part 2)

woodenman's jukebox on YouTube

jonlukaswoodenman Live on PJAZZA (TVM) 07 August 2009

jonlukaswoodenman Live comeback concert May 20ll

jonlukaswoodenman on ID (ONE TV)

External links

jonlukaswoodenman on iTunes

jonlukaswoodenman on Reverbnation

jonlukaswoodenman on Myspace

jonlukaswoodenman on YouTube

jonlukaswoodenman on Soundcloud

jonlukaswoodenman on Broadjam

woodenman's jukebox on Facebook