John Carter left his hometown of Birmingham for London in the early sixties with school-friend and writing partner Ken Lewis. They 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”, "Saturday Club" etc.), when they formed Carter-Lewis and the Southerners. The group included at various times 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 led them to form their second group, The Ivy League, with the addition of Perry Ford. They had three major hits in the UK with “Funny How Love Can Be”, “Tossing and Turning” and “That’s Why I’m Crying”. This led to extensive touring for a year and a half, and then 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 led them to form their second group, The Ivy League, with the addition of Perry Ford. They had three major hits in the UK with “Funny How Love Can Be”, “Tossing and Turning” and “That’s Why I’m Crying”. This led to extensive touring for a year and a half, and then John decided to leave in order to concentrate on writing and recording.
In 1967 John and Ken got back together again and wrote and recorded "Let's Go To San Francisco" which was a big hit in UK and Europe. John met up with writer Geoff Stephens, who asked him to demo a song Geoff had written, called “Winchester Cathedral”. John then sang 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 started writing songs with Gill, his wife. 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 started writing songs with Gill, his wife. 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.
When Hamzter was formed, John and Sal had the great idea of reviving "Let Go To San Francisco" in a Jazz style. They've made a video using the new version. Check it out below.
Salomao Hamzem is a 49 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 are all musicians. He studied French Horn for 5 years at Palacio das Artes in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and played in Fundacao Clovis Salgado Orchestra. He learned to play many other instruments which helped in his knowledge of music including different music styles such as Bossa Nova, Samba, Rock, Frevo, Reggae etc. He also had an opportunity to tour in many places around Brazil. He studied classical guitar and led gospel bands for many years.
In 2006, he moved from Brazil to live with his wife in England. He started to play in a gospel band at Kensington Temple, and at the same time he decided to improve his knowledge of music. At Richmond Adult College (RACC) he met an English songwriter, John Carter, who had written many hit 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 released 4 albums and now on pace to drop more albums every year.
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