John Carter Left hometown of Birmingham for London in early Sixties with school-friend and writing partner Ken Lewis. Signed a songwriter deal with Peer Music (formerly Southern Music) in Denmark Street. While writing they also did many broadcasts for the BBC (“Easy Beat”, etc.), when they formed Carter-Lewis and the Southerners. The group included at one time or another Jimmy Paige and Viv Prince. Their first hit as writers was “Will I What?” by Mike Sarne, followed by “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” by Herman’s Hermits, which went to No. 1 in the USA.
In the mid-Sixties John and Ken concentrated on providing vocal backing for other artists, and appeared on hits such as “Can’t Explain” (The Who), “It’s Not Unusual” (Tom Jones), “Out Of Time” (Chris Farlowe). This lead to their forming their second group, The Ivy League, with the addition of Perry Ford, and had three major hits in the UK with “Funny How Love Can Be”, “Tossing and Turning” and “That’s Why I’m Crying”. This lead to extensive touring for a year and a half, when John decided to leave in order to concentrate on writing and recording.
In the mid-Sixties John and Ken concentrated on providing vocal backing for other artists, and appeared on hits such as “Can’t Explain” (The Who), “It’s Not Unusual” (Tom Jones), “Out Of Time” (Chris Farlowe). This lead to their forming their second group, The Ivy League, with the addition of Perry Ford, and had three major hits in the UK with “Funny How Love Can Be”, “Tossing and Turning” and “That’s Why I’m Crying”. This lead to extensive touring for a year and a half, when John decided to leave in order to concentrate on writing and recording.
John met up with writer Geoff Stephens, who asked him to demo a song Geoff had written, “Winchester Cathedral”. John then did the lead vocal on the finished record, which reached No. 1 on the American charts. About the same time, a joint composition by John and Ken Lewis, “Little Bit o’ Soul”, recorded by the Music Explosion, also went to No. 1 in the States. John and Geoff Stephens continued writing together, with hits such as “Semi-detached Suburban Mr James” for Manfred Mann, “My Sentimental Friend” and “Sunshine Girl” for Herman’s Hermits, and “Knock, Knock, Who’s There?” for Mary Hopkin.
After Ken retired from the Ivy League and the music business in general, John asked his wife, Gill, to write lyrics for his songs. This resulted in a big hit in Europe by Kincade called “Dreams Are Ten A Penny”. John and Gill also wrote “Beach Baby” by First Class (produced by John), which went Top 5 in the States.
After Ken retired from the Ivy League and the music business in general, John asked his wife, Gill, to write lyrics for his songs. This resulted in a big hit in Europe by Kincade called “Dreams Are Ten A Penny”. John and Gill also wrote “Beach Baby” by First Class (produced by John), which went Top 5 in the States.
Salomao de Paula Hamzem is a 50 year old, born in Belo Horizonte - Brazil and is a musician, songwriter and producer. He was inspired by his father and family to study music. He has one sister and two brothers and they all are musicians. He studied French Horn at Palacio das Artes - Belo Horizonte, Brazil and played in Fundacao Clovis Salgado Orchestra. He had a chance to learn and play many others instruments which helped in his knowledge of music including different music styles as Bossa Nova, Samba, Rock, Frevo, Reggae and etc... He also had an opportunity to tour in many places around Brazil. Also, he studied Classical Guitar for 2 years and led gospel bands for many years.
In 2006, he moved from Brazil to leave with his wife in England and started to play in a gospel band at Kensington Temple. At the same time he decided to improve his knowledge of music. At RACC (Richmond College) he met a English songwriter John Carter who had written many hits songs in the past. They became really good friends and began to play and write songs together. At the moment he is working with John Carter writing and producing songs in their own studio. They have recorded four albums and various singles for other people.
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