Jon Lukas Woodenman

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jonlukaswoodenman

Back in the 1970s, Jon Lukas scored a first for Maltese music when he released Can’t afford to lose, which 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.


jon lukas woodenman formerly known as jon lukas remembered in Maltese music history for achieving the first ever successful foreign pop chart placer in various foreign territories and first ever Maltese artiste major worldwide record company signing in 1970 an era in Malta with just REDIFFUSION radio no internet nor media connection to abroad other than pre paying for an overseas phone call booking to go out a couple of days later heralded by a telegram at the destination.


When Radio Luxemburg for Europe was the equivalent of today's MTV, Radio Luxemburg played Can't Afford to Lose twice nightly for a month's period with odd plays following for a year or so. Spreading this hit to various territories. An era where there was no future in Malta and if one dreamed of becoming a pop star abroad one would have automatically become a classic contender for the local mental institution.


Known for his evergreen classic called Can't affOrd to lose released on EMI COLUMBIA label still played on RADIO stations to date and sang word for word by the public forty four years on from the date it was recorded at EMI Abbey Rd. studios UK, London, same studio room, mikes and session musicians being used by ' The Beatles' at that time close to band break up and with b side 'Can't Make you Mine' written by Paul Mc Cartney's brother Peter Mc Cartney (Mike Mc Gear) of THE SCAFFOLD at a phase when Elton John was doing backing vocals for them as Reg Dwight.


Can't afford to lose reached the No. 1 chart spot in Lebanon for a full month, holdin' back the Beatles' ... The Long and Winding Road from that No 1 spot. A favourite with then top Dj now media mogul Simone Azmar. Tours in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Damascus, Iran, and the rest of the Emirates followed for some time after. Sharing the bill with major artistes as Googoosh, Gilbert Becaud, Johnny Halliday, Michel Legrand, Mal, Modugno, Patti Bravo and Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Bannanarama, Lisa Stansfield, Level 42 and other US soul and Arab home names.


The song also touched the British top 50 charts climbing to the 40's plus other European territories. (http://tinyurl.com/a95dbf4 - Track 6)


An UNEDITED backroom film surfaced in 2010 about an appearance on Iranian National TV as guest of Iranian global diva Googoosh (http://tinyurl.com/5vunhj)in around 1972, a pre Khomeni period during shah.


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 more

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

See more

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

woodenman's jukebox on YouTube

jonlukaswoodenman Photo gallery

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