JON BUTCHER & FRIENDS
Read about Jon Butcher on Wikipedia:
Many people have made comparisons between Jon Butcher and Jimi Hendrix particularly in the early stages of Jon's career. These comparisons were fueled by Butcher's onstage appearance and mannerisms, patterned after Hendrix, and his choice for the band name Axis, which was an obvious reference to Hendrix legendary album Axis: Bold as Love. Butcher's stated influences are Richie Havens, John Lennon, Phil Lynott, Bob Dylan, and Taj Mahal, and he maintains that the Hendrix comparisons are superficial, saying "... outside of the surface aspect, I don’t think there was much about me that was Jimi Hendrix-like, if you disregard the fact that I’m black and play a Stratocaster."
During the middle to late 1970s, Jon Butcher toured the Northeast U.S. with the Boston-based band Johanna Wild. The band generated a large following during its tenure. Their early success was due to promotional practices such as self-promotion, self marketing and self-management. The most successful Johanna Wild lineup was: Jeff Linscott (guitar), Derek Blevins (drums), Troy Douglas Sutler III (bass), and Jon Butcher (guitar and vocals). Their most popular song, "Suzanne" attained regular airplay at local radio stations such as WBCN.
Relentless touring and strong fan support for Johanna Wild afforded Jon Butcher quick media attention through the then blossoming cable TV networks MTV and radio medias, particularly the influential radio station WBCN in Boston, MA. With the radio promotion of supporters such as WBCN radio personalities Mark Parenteau, Oedipus and Carter Alan, Jon Butcher became a Boston music staple, and in late 1979 (opened for KISS as Jon Butcher Axis 10/23/1979 in Fort Worth, TX) he created Jon Butcher Axis with Sandy Higgins (guitar), Chris Martin (bass) and former Johanna Wild drummer Derek Blevins. Soon after, Higgins left to be the front man for Balloon, while Charlie Farren fronted the Mk3 lineup of The Joe Perry Project. After several other guitarists came and went, Axis became the power trio which Butcher had always envisioned. Jon Butcher Axis performed throughout New England including Uncle Sam's, the famous The Rathskeller, The Paradise Theater and many others.
The timing and apparent surge in popularity afforded Jon Butcher Axis' next opportunity through Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J. Geils Band.
Jon Butcher Axis was invited to tour with Boston's already world-famous J. Geils Band through Peter Wolf, for their 1982 Freeze Frame American tour, culminating in three sold out night shows at the Boston Garden. It was the experience of performing in the Freeze Frame tour that led to Jon Butcher Axis first international record deal with PolyGram Records. This began a recording and touring career which saw the release of 'The Jon Butcher Axis' and 'Stare at the Sun'. Both of the PolyGram records were produced by Pat Moran, also producer for Robert Plant, Edie Brickell and Lou Gramm.
EVENT DATE & TIME
Jon Butcher
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2020
Time: 8:00 PM
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Why is The Music Room proud to present Jon Butcher?
Plug in and rip it…that’s Jon Butcher. Butcher has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest acts. Truly a guitar
master, Jon brings an incredible array of technique under the lights that few can obtain. A fan of conventional music, Jon
endeavors to wow crowds every night with a performance that makes others want to perform. His passion for live
music is rarely matched, and that’s exactly why The Music Room is proud to welcome the incomparable Jon Butcher.
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