John Dalton (musician)

John Dalton (born 21 May 1943, Edgware, Middlesex) is probably best known as The Kinks regular bass guitarist from 1969 to 1976, replacing original member Pete Quaife.

Biography

John Dalton was educated at Cheshunt Secondary Modern School at the same time as Harry Webb (who later became Cliff Richard). Dalton's desire was to be a full time musician, and in 1959 he joined "Danny King and The Bluejacks" as bass guitarist. He played alongside Norman Mitham who had just left Cliff Richard's first band. Although successful locally, The Bluejacks recordings of "Say Mama" and Vince Taylor's rockabilly "Brand New Cadillac" did not feature in the UK Singles Chart, and in 1962 Dalton left to become a founder member of "Mark Four" along with Mick 'Spud' Thompson (rhythm guitar), Eddie Phillips (lead guitar), Jack Jones (drums) and Kenny Pickett (vocals). "Mark Four" quickly became one of the most popular live bands in North London and shared billing with other London based groups such as "The High Numbers" (later to become "The Who"), Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, and even sharing a stage with Little Eva.

However, the band's singles failed to make the charts, making it difficult to earn enough money to support a family. In 1966 Dalton left "Mark Four" to join the building trade. Shortly afterwards, Eddie Phillips and Kenney Pickett founded "The Creation", one of the most influential bands of the late 1960s.

In June 1966, Dalton was asked to substitute for The Kinks' bass guitarist, Pete Quaife, who had broken his leg in a car accident. Dalton auditioned as a temporary replacement on 9 June 1966 at Carling Music, Saville Row, London. That same evening he appeared with the band on BBC Television's pop music flagship, "Top of the Pops" (filmed in the BBC Studios, London). His first live appearance with the Kinks was two days later at The Plaza, King's Heath, Birmingham giving him no time for rehearsals. This was quickly followed by a tour to Norway and Spain. The first recording sessions he took part in with the Kinks were on 26 June 1966 at Pye Studios, London for "Little Miss Queen Of Darkness".

Dalton also played bass on "Dead End Street", recorded on 28 October 1966 during an evening session (unusually, without Shel Talmy). By the end of the year Quaife had come back, and Dalton returned to his job as a coalman.

Dalton replaced Quaife again in 1969, this time as the Kinks' permanent bassist. He appeared with the band on 5 April 1969 for a mimed performance on the television program "It's Dee Time". His first recording session in his second tenure with the group was in May 1969 at Pye Studio #2 ("Drivin" and "Mindless Child Of Motherhood"). Dalton spent most of June recording the "Arthur" album. He started his first American Tour on 17 October at The Fillmore East, New York. The tour lasted nine weeks and included such venues as The Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles and Fillmore West in San Francisco. He continued to play with the Kinks throughout the remainder of 1969 and into the 1970s and appeared playing bass on such notable songs as "Victoria", "Lola", "Apeman", "Celluloid Hereos", and "Supersonic Rocketship".

On 8 November 1976 Dalton finally left the Kinks, after spending most of the summer of 1976 rehearsing and recording "Sleepwalker". His replacement was former Blodwyn Pig bass player Andy Pyle.

Dalton is still active in the music industry. He plays bass with "The Kast Off Kinks" which also features Mick Avory, (the original Kinks drummer), John Gosling (former Kinks keyboard player), and vocalist Dave Clarke (former Tim Rose sidesman).

Since 2003 Dalton has also been performing with the rock and roll band '5%Volume'; alongside Kevin Leak (ex Seminar), Wol Webster (ex Blues Brothers, Eddie Floyd, Jess Conrad) and Tony 'Bones' Pallett (son of Joe Pallett the original Danny King).

External links

* [http://www.john-dalton.com John Dalton's Website]
* [http://kinks.it.rit.edu/okfc/ The Official Kinks Fan Club]
* [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/markfour.html Mark Four]
* [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/creation.html Creation]
* [http://www.whykinks.net/links/kast/start.htm Kast off Kinks fansite]