Johnny Hates Jazz consists of Clark Datchler (songwriting, vocals, keyboards) and Mike Nocito (production, engineering, guitars). The band is best known for a cycle of hits in the late 1980s, the most successful being “Shattered Dreams”. Released in March 1987, it became a top 5 hit in the UK, throughout mainland Europe and Asia, and reached number 2 in Japan. This was followed by four other worldwide hits, being the anti-war anthem “I Don’t Want To Be A Hero”, “Turn Back The Clock” (featuring Kim Wilde on backing vocals), “Heart Of Gold” and “Don’t Say Its Love”. In 1988, “Shattered Dreams” reached number 2 on the US Billboard chart, number 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, and climbed to number 4 in Canada.
That same year, their album “Turn Back The Clock” entered the UK charts at number 1, selling over four million copies and going triple-platinum in the process. It is arguably one of the definitive albums of the 1980s and is one of only two debut albums released by Virgin Records to immediately go to the top of the charts upon its release (the other being by The Sex Pistols). Since then, “Shattered Dreams” has gone on to be played over 3.8 million times on US radio alone.
Johnny Hates Jazz parted ways at the height of their success, and were to be the last electronic band to emerge in the 1980’s. However, after many years of pursuing individual projects, Clark and Mike decided to reunite in 2010, resulting in the 2013 album “Magnetized”. Recorded at Real World Studios in Bath, UK and The Farm just outside Cambridge, UK, it re-established the band as musical force to be reckoned with. The title track was an instant radio hit in the UK and the album track “Release You”, which was never released as a single, has become one of their most-streamed songs.
In 2018, the band released a 30th Anniversary edition of “Turn Back The Clock”, which included brand new acoustic versions of every song on the album. In addition, Clark co-wrote many songs for the Mike and The Mechanics albums “Let Me Fly” and “Out Of The Blue” with Genesis legend Mike Rutherford.
Then in 2020, they released their most recent album “Wide Awake”. Over two years in the making, it saw Clark and Mike inspired by their musical roots growing up in the 1970’s. It is a mixture of soulful melodies, uplifting lyrics, and a positive energy that is present from start to finish, exemplified by the singles “Spirit Of Love”, “New Day Ahead” and “Greater Good”. The following year, they toured the UK as special guests of Level 42, and have since continued to perform at festivals around the world.
Now, for the first time in 36 years, Johnny Hates Jazz will be embarking on their first ever headline tour of the UK and overseas. With a brand-new show, surrounded by world-class musicians, they’re ready to captivate audiences across the globe!
