Singer. Born Frederick Alfred Heath in Willesden, North London, he went on to become arguably Britain's most original rock and roll performer. Johnny Kidd's musical career began as leader of the skiffle group "Nutters." As the 1950s made way for the 1960s, most of the Lonnie Donegan-inspired groups began to migrate to rock and roll. So it was with Johnny Kidd, who with former "Nutter" Alan Caddy, Tony Docherty, Johnny Gordon and Ken McKay formed his new group to be called "The Pirates." Their first release "Please Don't Touch" managed to reach the charts, but failed to get into the top twenty. "The Pirates" lineup gradually changed over the years, and Brian Gregg (bass) and Clem Cattini (drums) replaced Gordon and McKay. It was the first single with the new lineup that pushed Johnny Kidd to the top and instant fame. "Shaking All Over" is undoubtedly one of the most original rock and roll recordings ever to have been produced in a British studio. Much of its success is owed to the guitar riff played by session man Joe Moretti. "Johnny Kidd and The Pirates" recorded many legendary popular music tracks including "I'll Never Get Over You." Further band personnel changes were made to "The Pirates" over the years, as well as a change of style with the coming of the British "Beat Boom," but the underlying theme remained. The band would dress in pirate regalia, and Kidd would always wear his eye patch. Sadly, the life and career of Johnny Kidd was cut short when he was killed in a road accident on October 7th, 1966 near Bolton in Lancashire when he and his "Pirates" were driving away after a performance.
Singer. Born Frederick Alfred Heath in Willesden, North London, he went on to become arguably Britain's most original rock and roll performer. Johnny Kidd's musical career began as leader of the skiffle group "Nutters." As the 1950s made way for the 1960s, most of the Lonnie Donegan-inspired groups began to migrate to rock and roll. So it was with Johnny Kidd, who with former "Nutter" Alan Caddy, Tony Docherty, Johnny Gordon and Ken McKay formed his new group to be called "The Pirates." Their first release "Please Don't Touch" managed to reach the charts, but failed to get into the top twenty. "The Pirates" lineup gradually changed over the years, and Brian Gregg (bass) and Clem Cattini (drums) replaced Gordon and McKay. It was the first single with the new lineup that pushed Johnny Kidd to the top and instant fame. "Shaking All Over" is undoubtedly one of the most original rock and roll recordings ever to have been produced in a British studio. Much of its success is owed to the guitar riff played by session man Joe Moretti. "Johnny Kidd and The Pirates" recorded many legendary popular music tracks including "I'll Never Get Over You." Further band personnel changes were made to "The Pirates" over the years, as well as a change of style with the coming of the British "Beat Boom," but the underlying theme remained. The band would dress in pirate regalia, and Kidd would always wear his eye patch. Sadly, the life and career of Johnny Kidd was cut short when he was killed in a road accident on October 7th, 1966 near Bolton in Lancashire when he and his "Pirates" were driving away after a performance.
Bio by: Kieran Smith
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Remembering Our Happy and Wonderful Times Together
In Loving Memory of My Darling Husband
Frederick Alfred Heath (Johnny Kidd) 1935 - 1966.
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