Paul Jones is one of British music’s true originals—a singer, songwriter, harmonica player, actor, broadcaster, and blues pioneer whose career has spanned over six decades.

Best known as the original frontman of Manfred Mann, Paul helped define the sound of the '60s British Invasion. But there’s so much more to his story than pop success.

Born Paul Pond in Portsmouth in 1942, Paul had a bright academic future—earning a place at Oxford. But it was the blues, not the books, that really captured his heart.

Drawn to the raw emotion of American R&B and blues, he immersed himself in music, gigging in London clubs and building ties with future legends like Alexis Korner, Cyril Davies, and Brian Jones.

In fact, Paul was briefly approached to front a little band called The Rolling Stones. He turned them down.

Instead, he chose a different path. Rebranded as Paul Jones , he joined a jazz-influenced band led by South African keyboardist Manfred Mann. The group took on the name and quickly became one of the sharpest acts on the British scene. The band scored their first big hit with “5-4-3-2-1,” then came “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.”

It was an instant smash—hitting number one in both the UK and the US and cementing the band’s place in pop history. Paul Jones became a household name, fronting a string of hits including “Sha La La,” “Come Tomorrow,” and “Pretty Flamingo.”

But just as things were peaking, Paul shocked fans by stepping away from Manfred Mann in '66. He didn’t want to be boxed into pop stardom. His first solo release, “I’ve Been a Bad, Bad Boy,” was a top 10 hit, and not long after, he starred in the film Privilege.

From there, Paul split his time between stage and studio. He released a number of solo albums and never chased the pop charts, choosing instead to focus on artistry and authenticity.

In the late ’70s, Jones experienced a major musical rebirth. Alongside former bandmate Tom McGuinness, he co-founded The Blues Band—a group that would lead a new wave of British blues. Their first record, The Official Blues Band Bootleg Album, was self-released when no label wanted it. But it quickly found a fanbase and helped kick-start a blues revival in the UK. Over the years, The Blues Band became a cult favourite, recording over 20 albums and touring consistently for decades. Jones, with his fiery harmonica and soulful voice, became a beloved figure in the blues world.

As if that weren’t enough, Jones also became a prominent broadcaster. In 1986, he began hosting The Blues Show with Paul Jones on BBC Radio 2—a program that would run for 32 years. His warm, knowledgeable voice introduced listeners to everyone from blues giants like B.B. King and Muddy Waters to new acts keeping the genre alive. His influence on the blues scene through radio is as significant as his work on stage.

In the 2000s, Jones released the critically acclaimed album Starting All Over Again, featuring collaborations with soul legends like Percy Sledge and Eric Bibb. It was a masterclass in classic songwriting, vocal nuance, and heartfelt delivery—proof that Paul Jones had lost none of his fire.

Throughout his career, Jones worked with a who’s who of music royalty: Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Mick Abrahams, and more. Whether singing, playing harmonica, or narrating the story of the blues, he brought depth, grace, and passion to every project.

Later in life, Paul experienced a personal transformation. He became a born-again Christian and began to incorporate gospel into his musical world. His faith added a new layer to his performances, blending spirit and soul with honesty and humility.

From Oxford scholar to ’60s heartthrob, from blues crusader to BBC staple, Paul Jones has never stood still. He turned down the Rolling Stones, left a hit band at its height, helped revive the blues, and became a trusted voice for generations of listeners. Always evolving, always authentic—Paul Jones is one of the great unsung heroes of British music.

If rock 'n' roll ever had a true outlaw—equal parts velvet-voiced crooner and headline-grabbing hellraiser—it was P.J. Proby.

Born James Marcus Smith in 1938 in Houston, Texas, P.J. Proby has lived a life that most musicians could only dream of—or wouldn’t dare to.

With a vocal range that soared across genres and a personal life that veered toward the chaotic, PJ became a rock 'n' roll legend not just for his music, but for his sheer unpredictability.

Raised in a religious Southern family, PJ grew up listening to gospel choirs and traditional country music. His talent was apparent early on—he could mimic voices, pick up melodies by ear, and possessed a stage presence that drew attention.

He attended a military college where his rebellious streak began to bloom.

By the late '50s, PJ had made his way to LA where he worked as a songwriter and demo singer. It was here that his persona was born.

The name had been suggested by his songwriter friend, Sharon Sheeley—P.J. Proby was the name of her old boyfriend.

In the early '60s, PJ found success writing songs for artists like Elvis. He sounded so like Elvis that some of his demos were mistaken for The King.

PJ’s big break came in the UK when he was brought over by a television producer. It was a move that would change the trajectory of his career. With his jet-black hair, tight trousers, and smouldering charisma, PJ became an instant sensation.

His haunting, dramatic cover of "Hold Me" climbed the UK charts and established him as a vocal powerhouse.

But it wasn’t just his voice that got people talking—it was the way he wore his pants. In early performances, PJ’s skin-tight trousers famously split on stage. It sent the British press into a frenzy. The BBC banned him. Venues grew wary. But the controversy only fuelled his fame.

He was dubbed a bad boy, a provocateur, a rock rebel with no regard for propriety—and audiences loved him for it.

P.J. Proby was never one to stick in one lane. He jumped from rock and roll to pop, country, and even Broadway-style musical theatre.

One of his albums featured a little-known band called Led Zeppelin backing him in the studio.

Despite his raw talent and unique voice—PJ’s career was never a straight line. His fiery temper, love affairs, and on-and-off battles with alcohol and self-destruction kept him at the fringes of mainstream success.

He clashed with record labels. He alienated promoters. He became infamous for being difficult to work with—and yet utterly magnetic on stage.

Through the '70s and '80s, PJ dipped in and out of the public eye. He starred in Elvis: The Musical. He worked with producer Marc Almond, and toured Europe with rock revival shows.

All the while, the myth of P.J. Proby continued to grow. Was he a genius? A madman? A misunderstood star? Depending on who you asked, he was all three.

In the '90s and 2000s, PJ leaned into his status as a cult figure. He released new music, reissued his classic tracks, and embraced the adoration of die-hard fans.

Always the controversial figure, he didn’t shy away from the spotlight—even if it cast shadows. He was never the type to play by society’s rules.

Today, P.J. Proby remains a living legend, albeit a polarizing one. He’s part of that rare breed of musicians who lived the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to its wildest extremes and survived to tell the tale.

With a career spanning over six decades, Proby has worked with the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Cilla Black, Marc Almond, and even Led Zeppelin. He’s played both packed stadiums and dingy pubs, belted ballads and growled blues. He’s been idolized, criticized, banned, adored, and everything in between.

From his humble roots in Houston to the swinging stages of London, from chart-topping hits to tabloid trainwrecks, P.J. Proby is a survivor. A rock ‘n’ roll original. A voice like velvet and a life like a tornado. He’s the embodiment of that old saying: never boring, always Proby.

If you’ve ever tuned into a classic rock radio station and felt the electric hum of Southern rock filling your soul, chances are you’ve brushed shoulders—musically speaking—with Rodney Justo.

Best known as the original lead singer of the legendary Atlanta Rhythm Section, Rodney’s voice is more than just a sonic signature of the American South—it’s the soundtrack to a generation.

But to understand the full breadth of his musical journey, you’ve got to go back to Tampa, Florida, where the boy who would become a Southern rock icon first discovered his voice.

Rodney Justo was born with rhythm in his veins. His father was a musician, and Tampa in the '50s and early '60s had a burgeoning music scene.

By the time he was a teenager, Rodney was performing professionally, fronting bands and making a name for himself as a gifted rock and soul singer.

In the mid-60s, Rodney’s voice caught the ear of Roy Orbison’s backing band, The Candymen. Rodney joined as lead vocalist, and it wasn’t long before they began carving out their own identity.

Touring constantly, performing alongside major acts, The Candymen were crucial in shaping Rodney's future.

In the early '70s, he and his bandmates decided it was time to forge their own path. The Atlanta Rhythm Section was born.

More than just a band, ARS was a musical collective, fusing rock, jazz, R&B, and pop into a smooth, sophisticated Southern sound that defied categorization.

Rodney Justo was the voice on their self-titled 72 debut album. His vocals were powerful and expressive helping to define the Atlanta Rhythm Section's unique tone.

Rodney left the band shortly after that first album—citing creative differences and a desire to focus on family.

He became an in-demand session vocalist and performer, lending his golden pipes to countless recording projects throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. His ability to shift between genres—from blue-eyed soul to polished pop to hard-edged rock—made him a go-to voice in studios from Florida to L.A.

In the mid-90s, Rodney Justo returned to the Atlanta Rhythm Section. He stepped back into the spotlight once again performing hits like "So Into You," "Imaginary Lover," and "Spooky" live on stage.

Rodney Justo brought new energy to the ARS catalogue—even if he hadn’t originally recorded those songs. He made them his own, connecting with audiences across generations.

Rodney Justo is more than t a great rock vocalist. He’s a storyteller. He's filled with anecdotes, punchlines, and the kind of behind-the-scenes music lore that makes you lean in and listen. He’s got tales from the road with Roy Orbison, recording sessions with legends, and enough stories about Southern rock’s golden era to fill a memoir.

He brings humour, humility, and a deep love of the craft to every conversation. Today he tours with Atlanta Rhythm Section and his voice hasn’t lost any of its magic. There’s still that same smooth phrasing, that soul-deep delivery, and that sly smile you can hear even when he’s singing through the speakers. He continues to be a beloved figure in Southern rock circles, a revered elder statesman of American music, and a performer who gives his all every single night.

Rodney Justo may not be a household name in the same way as some of his peers, but among musicians, he’s a legend.

His influence runs deep—not just through Atlanta Rhythm Section, but through decades of rock, soul, and Southern music.

Rodney's journey is one of persistence, evolution, and soulful resilience. From teenage gigs in Tampa dive bars to singing for thousands on tour with ARS, from the slick sessions of Studio One to today’s digital world, Rodney Justo has remained a voice worth listening to—a true original in the ever-changing world of American rock music.

You're going to LOVE his story.

To find out more head to https://www.atlantarhythmsection.com/

and contact me with any feedback, comments or queries.

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