The name Tony Hazzard may not ring a bell, but the English singer/songwriter has written hits for everyone from the Hollies, Manfred Mann, and Herman's Hermits to Gene Pitney and Andy Williams. Born and raised in Liverpool, Hazzard picked up the guitar and ukulele at a young age. A formidable student, he managed to miss out on the Merseybeat skiffle scene that engulfed the region in the early '60s, focusing instead on his education at Durham University. Music soon got the best of him, though, and through a mutual friend he was introduced to BBC story editor Tony Garnett. Garnett persuaded Hazzard to move to London to pursue his songwriting ambitions, advice that was heeded by the young musician. He signed with music publisher/Manfred Mann manager Gerry Bron, who put him on a retainer. Hits followed for numerous groups, and Hazzard began work on a record of his own.
While Tony Hazzard Sings was released in 1969 to little or no fanfare, his sophomore effort (Loudwater House) helped establish the artist as a potential soft rock superstar. Many of the musicians who played on the record (Chris Spedding, Mike Batt, and B.J. Cole) were touring with Elton John at the time, and Hazzard soon found himself providing backing vocals on John's Tumbleweed Connection and Honky Chateau. His third and final album, the country-tinged Was That Alright Then, arrived in 1973, but failed to generate much public support. In 2005, both Loudwater House and Was That Alright Then, along with some rarities and unissued outtakes, were remastered and compiled on the two-disc Go North: The Bronze Anthology. Hazzard continues to write music at his home in Cornwall, and plans to release a new record in the very near future. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
Damn Wikipedia! (Or whatever on line source I used). Sorry to get the song wrong. Still, I loved "Layla"; "Brown Sugar" and "Good Vibrations". (Perhaps you should list the best known ones on this site.....)
Often sing a bastardised version of "My Name is Jack" to my nephew of that name. He thinks I made it up. As you know, I'm only into stealing from The Beatles. Best wishes, Martin
Love the songs! Great to hear from you too! Thank you for befriending us...hope you like our tracks (I hope my voice has changed since the last time you heard it!)
Hello to you. I hope you are well. I simply wanted to thank you for taking the time to listen to The Reticent. Please leave any of your thoughts on my page - be they good or ill.
I was thrilled to find you on MySpace. I have admired your stuff since discovering your moniker beside 'Fox on the Run' on a Manfred Mann album.
At that time, around 1998, there was none of your own product available in New Zealand, but I managed to track down 'Was That Alright Then?' in a second-hand record shop and loved it.
TONY HAZZARD
Tony Hazzard Sings Tony Hazzard (Rev-ola; CD)
SD staffer, rustic dwelling designer and ale fanatic Andy Morten raved and raved about Go North: The Bronze Anthology (Sanctuary's 2-CD coupling of Hazzard's 2nd and 3rd album respectively) a couple of years ago. Not content with the poptastic debut Tony Hazzard Sings Tony Hazzard being left untouched Andy pushed for Rev-Ola to re-release it and penned some highly informative notes and designed the sleeve. Nice work, son.
As you may or may not know, Hazzard was primarily a behind the scenes songwriter employed to churn out hits for Britain's top stars. And indeed, he scored 'em for everyone from Manfred Mann to The Tremeloes, The Hollies, The Yardbirds, Lulu… and Cliff! The hipper, lesser known Cherry Smash also did a stellar job with Tony's semi-psych 'Fade Away Maureen'.
Just like kindred spirit and song writer extraordinaire Graham Gouldman the powers that be thought it wise that Hazzard should record an album of his hits plus some contemporaneous material to promote him as a performer. Although released in 1969 the majority of these tunes were brushed up demos all initially cut a few years earlier. With the humanity of Hazzard's folk-tinged voice breathed into them 'Goodnight Sweet Josephine', 'Ha! Ha! Said The Clown', 'Listen To Me' and 'Fox On The Run' all give the hit versions a damn good run for their money. While 'The Sound Of The Candymen's Trumpet' (originally recorded and released by Cliff and hoped to be entered in Eurovision) is a whimsical toytown pop song inspired by The Mamas & The Papas - a surprisingly bendy choice for Mr Richards, no doubt penned whilst Hazzard toked on a joint. Distinctly pop and commercial and lacking the introspection of his Bronze era this set of perfectly constructed ditties is nevertheless a pleasure from start to finish. A lesson in craftsmanship. Here's to Hazzard
