When The John Verity Band played at BTTB in January 2018, the event sold out as we reached the maximum capacity in our regular venue at The Ypres Tavern Function Room. Don’t be surprised when we sell out again! This will be another big night in Sittingbourne. John Verity, originally from Bradford in West Yorkshire, is perhaps still best known for his time as frontman in Argent from 1973 to 1976. Russ Ballard recommended John as his replacement, noticing he would be a 'good fit' after seeing the The John Verity Band supporting Argent whilst John was on the road promoting the first JV album. Prior to this he spent time working in the Bahamas and the USA which culminated with prestige support slots in 1970 for Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Mountain amongst many others. Fast forward to the later 1970s when, along with Bob Henrit and Jim Rodford (Formerly drummer and bassist with Argent) he formed Phoenix, which soon signed to CBS records. John also produced the Phoenix albums and co-produced the Charlie album ‘Good Morning America’ as well as the first Saxon album around this time. He decided to divide his time between sessions and record production, until late in 1981 when PRT Records MD Matt Haywood asked JV to record a comeback album. "Interrupted Journey", released under the name Verity in 1982, was highly acclaimed in the UK, USA and Europe and successfully relaunched John's performing career, as he once again took to the road. John was approached by many big name acts for recording and performing projects during this period -Mike Rutherford of Genesis wrote three songs for inclusion on JV’s next set of recording sessions, and both Keith Emerson and Greg Lake used John on their current recording projects. "Interrupted Journey" is still regarded as one of the breakthrough albums of the early 1980s and which prompted both a UK and European tour. In the many years that followed John received 'interesting' offers to join various 'name' bands but decided to go his own way with collaborations of his choice, both in and out of the studio. In 2015 John made a conscious decision to put his studio production duties, apart from his own recordings, to one side and concentrate even more on live appearances with his band; a fluid line up from a selection of musicians which include Bob Skeat (Wishbone Ash) when available and our regular drummer Liam James Gray. John Gordon (Bernie Marsden, Alan Price and more) and Roger Inniss (Laurence Jones, Blues Caravan, Hamilton Loomis, Joanne Shaw-Taylor, Elkie Brooks, Ruby Turner amongst others) on bass and Steve Rodford, drums (The Zombies) are amongst other musicians that regularly appear with John.Appearances at venues and festivals across the UK in 2016 and 2017 have consolidated John’s reputation as a ‘leading light’ in the ever growing armoury of today’s talented blues/rock musicians
