Jon Povey (20 August 1942 – 9 May 2023) was an English drummer and keyboardist.
Jon Povey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 August 1942 London, England |
| Died | 9 May 2023 (aged 80) Spain |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, drums |
| Years active | 1961–2023 |
| Formerly of | Bern Elliott and the Fenmen, Pretty Things |
Career
editBorn in London, he grew up in Dartford, Kent, and in the early 1960s, Povey played drums in Bern Elliott and the Bluecaps, who had changed their name to Bern Elliott and the Fenmen by 1961. They were a five-piece beat and rhythm and blues band, and after signing to Decca Records,[1] had a Top 20 hit with their cover of "Money (That's What I Want)" in December 1963.[2][3] When lead singer Bern Elliott left the band, early in 1964, the other four continued as The Fenmen, releasing a few singles with strong vocal harmonies, such as their cover of "California Dreamin'" in 1966.
In 1967, Povey and Fenmen Wally Waller joined Pretty Things, with Povey switching to keyboards instead of drums.[3] Povey became the band's first keyboard player.[4] Povey served four tenures in Pretty Things between 1967 and 2007.[4] His first release with Pretty Things was their third studio album, Emotions (1967). Povey also released records as a solo artist.
Death
editLater on in life, Povey moved to Spain, where he also died at on 9 May 2023 after a few-years battle with leukemia, aged 80.[5] At the time of his death, Povey was working on both a solo album and an autobiography, both of which were to be entitled Dartford Boys, a reference to the city where Povey grew up.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Bern Eliot & The Fenmen". 2009-10-29. Archived from the original on 2009-10-29. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ Roberts, David. British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). Guinness World Records. p. 182. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "Bern Elliot Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "PRETTY THINGS' Jon Povey Passed Away". DMME.net. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "Pretty Things multi-instrumentalist who calls Spain his home". Euro Weekly News. 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2024-01-06.