MARVIN RAINWATER TOURS
1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1987
JON DEREK and MARVIN RAINWATER - on stage at Wembley Arena 1975
Jon Derek toured with MARVIN RAINWATER on a number of occasions throughout the 1970's and 1980's. Following hit songs in the late 1950's such as Whole Lotta Woman, I Dig You Baby and Gonna Find Me A Bluebird, Marvin's popularity took a bit of a nose dive in the US shortly after, and, like so many other stars of that period, he turned to a whole new audience in the UK and Europe who welcomed him with open arms.
Marvin had not returned to Britain since his promotional trip in 1958 to promote his No.1 hit 'Whole Lotta Woman' which reached the top spot in the UK single's chart and remained there for three weeks. However, in 1971, a tour was arranged for Marvin and it was Jon Derek's band Country Fever who were chosen to back him. Following this particular tour, Marvin was quoted to have said that he didn't want anyone else other than JON DEREK and COUNTRY FEVER backing him on future tours to the UK and Europe. Although Jon would go on to use various bands after the demise of Country Fever, Jon himself would invariably be a part of just about all Marvin's future tours. In fact, Jon became Marvin's trusted right-hand man on stage (as you will see in many photos of them) providing rhythm guitar and tight harmony vocals. They also became very good friends having spent a considerable amount of time on the road together.
Country Fever also recorded an album with Marvin which was released on the Phillips record label in 1972 - 'Marvin Rainwater Gets Country Fever'. The album was then reissued two years later on Decca's Emerald label under the new title 'New Country Sounds' but without any reference to Country Fever. Jon Derek was also featured on Marvin's 1976 album release 'Some Old, Some New Especially For You' on Westwood Records which was re-released in 2001 on Bear Family Records under the new title 'Rock Me - The Westwood Recordings'.
1971 TOUR
Jon's band 'Country Fever' backed Marvin Rainwater on an extensive tour of the UK, Ireland and Germany in February and March 1971.
Dates and venues are unknown, however, they did do a 'special' performance at The Ponderosa Country Music Club on February 28th with the addition of supporting acts 'Brian Golbey' and 'The Tumbleweeds'.
Marvin returned in September to work with Country Fever again - performing at Irish ballrooms and US Airforce bases.
1973 TOUR
MARVIN RAINWATER with JON DEREK (1973)
Jon's band Country Fever backing Marvin at the Kingsway Cinema, Newmarket. Other dates on the 1973 tour are unknown.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (February 1973)
Following the show at the Kingsway Cinema - Newmarket
The only other known date from this tour:
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE THEATRE (April 17)
1975 TOURS
There were two tours in 1975.
The first was in March/April.
The only known dates/venues are as follows:
NEW BRIGHTON OLD TAVERN (March 27)
WEMBLEY ARENA (March 30)
NEW BRIGHTON OLD TAVERN (April 17)
LIVERPOOL FRONTIER BAR (April 18 & 19)
JON DEREK and MARVIN RAINWATER
International Festival of Country Music
Wembley Arena (March 30, 1975)
Jounalist John Stafford's 1975 Wembley Festival review in Country Music People read;
"Next on stage came COUNTRY FEVER with Albert Lee on piano and they seemed quite at home with the man they were to back, MARVIN RAINWATER. Marvin has an excellent approach to both his music and his audience, and got away with many of the notes his strong voice missed. His old British hit 'Whole Lotta Woman' was well received, but the biggest applause of his seven song spot came after 'The Troubles My Little Boy Had'. He encored with 'Mama Tried'."
MARVIN RAINWATER TOUR 1975
(November/December)
Backed by JON DEREK, JEANNIE DENVER and THE J.D. BAND
ONE OF THE VENUES FROM THE 1975 TOUR
1976 TOUR
MARVIN RAINWATER 1976 TOUR
(UK, ITALY & GERMANY)
Backed by JON DEREK and TENNESSEE STUD
* (October 19) Scotland - Aberdeen C&W Club
PROGRAMME FRONT COVER
'GOOD 'N' COUNTRY' SHOW
The Hazlelette Theatre - Maidstone, Kent
ONE OF THE VENUES FROM THE 1976 TOUR
MARVIN RAINWATER and JON DEREK (1976)
1979 TOUR
MARVIN RAINWATER with JON DEREK & COUNTRY FEVER
On the bill at the very first 'Country Style Festival' held at Pontins Holiday Village - Hemsby, Great Yarmouth (October 1979)
MARVIN RAINWATER and JON DEREK (1979)
ONE OF THE VENUES FROM THE 1979 TOUR
1979 TOUR DATES (November/December)
ONE OF THE VENUES FROM THE 1979 TOUR
ANOTHER VENUE FROM THE 1979 TOUR
BBC RADIO 2 'COUNTRY CLUB' (1979)
Pre-recorded towards the end of the 1979 tour
Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 - January 10, 1980
1981 TOURS
BEE JAYS NIGHTCLUB - DARLINGTON
Show Review - (One of the venues on the 1981 tour)
PACKAGE SHOW - WAKEFIELD THEATRE (1981)
Other known venues/dates on the 1981 'Marvin Rainwater Show' featuring Marvin Rainwater, Jon Derek + Jeannie Denver's White Rose Band:
ROCKYTOP COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (February 11)
'The Arts Centre', Bridgwater
TENNESSEE COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (February 14)
267 The Broadway, Wimbledon
TUMBLEWEED COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (February 24)
'Westmead Hotel', Bridport
FRYS COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (March 14)
Keynsham
NORTH WEST FRONTIER COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (March 18)
'Sandbaggers', Southport
LAZYACRE COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (March 22)
'Lord Hill Hotel', Shrewsbury
INVERNESS COUNTRY & WESTERN CLUB (March 24)
'Ailsa Suite, Inverness Ice Rink', Inverness
DOUBLE M COUNTRY MUSIC CLUB (April 13)
'Hertford Town Football Club', Hertford
JON DEREK and MARVIN RAINWATER
International Festival of Country Music
Wembley Arena - April 18, 1981
1987
MARVIN RAINWATER TOUR 1987 (October/November)
Backed by JON DEREK & COUNTRY FEVER
The only known venues/dates:
BRISTOL BRITISH OMNIBUS (Oct 31)
EASTCOTE CLAY PIGEON (Nov 1)
NORTH PECKHAM CIVIC CENTRE (Nov 6)
PUTNEY HALF MOON (Nov 13)
BIRMINGHAM POWERHOUSE (Nov 15)
HEREFORD NEW (Nov 16)
MANCHESTER NAPOLEONS (Nov 17-19)
TEWEKSBURY ROSES (Nov 20)
PRESTEIGNE MEMORIAL HALL (Nov 21)
ST ALBANS (Venue unknown) (Nov 23)
LANGLEY HEN & CHICKEN (Nov 24)
PACKAGE SHOW - NORTH PECKHAM CIVIC CENTRE (1987)
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