JON DEREK WITH THE STARS

JON DEREK (third from the left) with EDDY ARNOLD (1966)

Jon Derek with The Flintlocks - they supported and backed American country music singer Eddy Arnold on a live show staged at the Wimbledon Palais in London called; 'Radio Caroline Night Out'. Eddy Arnold is one of country music's all-time greats - probably best known for his 1965 hit 'Make The World Go Away'. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 85 million records.

 

JON DEREK with CLODAGH RODGERS (1967)

Jamie, Jon and Jerry with the addition of Gordon Huntley on pedal steel guitar rehearsing with Irish singing sensation Clodagh Rodgers prior to a BBC Radio live show at the Playhouse Theatre in London. The following year, 'The Jon Derek Group' became Clodagh's temporary backing group.

 

JON DEREK (far right) with CONNIE SMITH (1969)

Country Fever backed American star Connie Smith on a UK & European tour. Also pictured is guitar legend Albert Lee - a member of Country Fever up until early 1970. Connie, who is best known for her debut single 'Once A Day' which topped the US country chart for eight weeks, was so impressed with Country Fever, she was quoted to have said that if she could have afforded them, she would have taken them back

to the States as her backing group!

 

JON DEREK with

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS (1970)

Jon Derek and members of his band Country Fever surrounded by such greats as; DON GIBSON, LORETTA LYNN, SKEETER DAVIS, ROY ACUFF, LYNN ANDERSON, CHARLIE WALKER, TOMPALL & THE GLASER BROTHERS and others at the 1970 International Festival of Country Music pre-festival dinner/dance.

 

JON DEREK (far left) with HANK LOCKLIN (1970)

Jon Derek's band Country Fever on tour with American Hank Locklin who is probably best remembered for his two smash hits; Please Help Me I'm Falling (which sold over a million copies) and Send Me The Pillow You Dream On. Jon and Hank toured many times together in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. Hank can be seen in the photo playing Jon's Gibson J-200 guitar!

 

JON DEREK (left) with CHARLEY PRIDE (1971)

Jon Derek together with his band Country Fever rehearsing with Charley Pride prior to a live BBC Radio show in London. Regarded as one of the most successful country music artists of his generation, this was Charley's first promotional trip to the UK, and Country Fever were asked to provide backing for him.

Charley Pride also preferred to use Jon's Gibson J-200 guitar! 

 

JON DEREK (back row, centre) with

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS (1972)

Jon Derek pictured with fellow award winners including: GEORGE HAMILTON IV, TOMPALL GLASER and LORETTA LYNN.

Jon's band Country Fever won best UK Country Group 1971.

 

JON DEREK with

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS (1972)

Jon Derek and members of his band Country Fever pictured with a number of country music greats such as; LORETTA LYNN, GEORGE HAMILTON IV, CONWAY TWITTY, TOM T HALL, DOTTIE WEST, DEL REEVES, ANNE MURRAY and others at the 1972 International Festival of Country Music pre-festival dinner/dance.

 

JON DEREK with GEORGE HAMILTON IV (1972)

Jon and his band Country Fever supported and backed American country star George Hamilton IV on a 21-date UK tour in 1972 which included an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall. They became good friends with mutual respect and admiration for one another's careers. They worked together many times. 

 

JON DEREK (slightly hidden)

with ANNE MURRAY (1972)

Jon Derek and his band Country Fever provided the backing 

at the International Festival of Country Music pre-festival dinner/dance for a host of stars that night including; Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Del Reeves, Bill Anderson and Canadian country music singer Anne Murray (who went on to sell over 55 million albums worldwide and is best remembered for hit songs such as; Snowbird and You Needed Me).

 

JON DEREK with JERRY LEE LEWIS (1972)

Jon Derek pictured with country rocker Jerry Lee Lewis at the recording of his album 'The Session' in London. Only months earlier they had been on tour together - Jon and his band Country Fever were one of Jerry's support acts.

 

JON DEREK (far left) with JEANNE PRUETT (1973)

Jon Derek and his band Country Fever backing American country artist Jeanne Pruett on a UK tour. Best known for her chart topping hit 'Satin Sheets', Jeanne went on to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry where she has performed many times.

 

JON DEREK with MARVIN RAINWATER (1975)

Jon Derek pictured on the Wembley Arena stage with American country/rockabilly legend Marvin Rainwater. Marvin had a big No.1 hit in the UK charts back in 1958 with 'Whole Lotta Woman' which remained at the top for three weeks. Other well known songs include; I Dig You Baby (No.19 on the UK chart) and 'Gonna Find Me A Bluebird' which reached No.3 in the US Country Charts and was recorded by a plethora of legendary artists (far too many to name)! Jon and Marvin became close friends and worked together many, many times. Marvin was quoted to have said that a big portion of his career was spent on the road with Jon.

 

JON DEREK (far left) with JIMMY PAYNE and

JIMMY SAVILLE (1975)

Jon Derek did a live show at Broadmoor Hospital in 1975 with a few other acts including American country singer/songwriter Jimmy Payne (the tall one in the red t-shirt) stood to the left of Jimmy Saville, who compered the show. It was later released on an LP album. 

 

JON DEREK with SLIM WHITMAN (1976)

Jon Derek toured with the legendary Slim Whitman in 1976. They had previously worked together in 1970 on three theatre shows in London, Liverpool and Sunderland including radio broadcasts. The 1976 tour consisted of 36 dates with two performances most evenings. Jon compered the tour and he and his band also backed Slim Whitman.

 

JON DEREK with

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS (1977)

Jon Derek surrounded by more country music greats including; HANK THOMPSON, JODY MILLER, BILLIE JO SPEARS, DON WILLIAMS, THE DILLARDS, THE OAKRIDGE BOYS, CARL PERKINS, LLOYD GREEN, JIM & JESSE, CARROLL BAKER, DON EVERLY, JEAN SHEPARD, TOMMY OVERSTREET and singer/actor DENNIS WEAVER at the International Festival of Country Music pre-festival dinner/dance.

 

 

VIEW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER GRAHAM BARKER'S PHOTOS OF 'JON DEREK WITH THE STARS' BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO COLLAGE ABOVE