We put Howard Jones on the cover of Smash Hits in 1983 billed as ‘the Most Promising New Act’ and, 15 albums and 42 years later, he’s about to set out on another tour, a double-bill with ABC. He looks back here at the first shows he ever saw and played which involves …

… rehearsing his Live Aid slot backstage to an audience of one: David Bowie.

… pioneering the “one-man show” in the early days of Moogs and drum machines.

… Emerson Lake & Palmer firing cannons onstage at the Isle of Wight in 1970 (his first gig, aged 15).

… rough treatment from the British “pundits”.

… school band Warrior – sample track title, Squashed Cat’s Intestines.

… being in Ringo’s All-Starr Band and the ELP number he’d play with Sheila E and Greg Lake.

… “bad spectacles, terrible haircut”: early solo gigs in Oxford pubs.

… the current tour with ABC: “lifting people’s spirits, the best job in the world”.

Mentioned in passing: China Crisis, Hendrix, Bill Payne of Little Feat.

Howard Jones tour dates here:

http://howardjones.com/

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Howard Jones has ‘the best job in the world’