Chris Farlowe is an English rock, blues and soul singer from Islington, London, born John Henry Deighton in 1940. He is also known as Little Joe Cook. His work spans blue-eyed soul, blues rock, British rhythm and blues and rock, and he continues to perform live.

Career beginnings

Farlowe begins performing in the late 1950s, first with the John Henry Skiffle Group in 1957 and then with the Johnny Burns Rhythm and Blues Quartet in 1958. In 1959 he meets guitarist Bob Taylor and joins Taylor’s group, the Thunderbirds. With that band he records five singles for Columbia, although they achieve little chart success.

Immediate Records period

In 1966 he signs to Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate label and records a string of singles and an EP. The EP includes In the Midnight Hour, Mr Pitiful, Satisfaction and Who Can I Turn To. He also records several cover versions of Rolling Stones songs, including Paint It, Black, Think, Ride On, Baby, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction and Out of Time.

His biggest hit is Out of Time, which reaches number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1966. Later in the decade he also records Handbags and Gladrags, written by his friend Mike d’Abo, and this becomes his last solo chart success. Other Immediate singles include The Fool, Treat Her Good, Don't Just Look At Me, Baby Make It Soon, My Way of Giving, You’re So Good To Me, Yesterday’s Papers, Life is But Nothing, Moanin’, What Have I Been Doing, The Last Goodbye, Paperman Fly in the Sky, Dawn and April was the Month.

Albums and recordings

Farlowe’s early albums include Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, 14 Things to Think About, The Art of Chris Farlowe, Tonite Let's All Make Love In London, The Last Goodbye and From Here to Mama Rosa. Later releases include Chris Farlowe Band Live, Out of the Blue, The Live EP: Live in Hamburg, Born Again, Chris Farlowe & Roy Herrington Live in Berlin, Superblues, Waiting in the Wings, Swinging Hollywood, Lonesome Road, BBC in Concert, As Time Go By, The Voice, Glory Bound, Farlowe That!, Hungery for the Blues, At Rockpalast and Hotel Eingang.

He also records under the pseudonym Little Joe Cook, releasing Stormy Monday Blues to help sustain the impression that he is black.

Band work and collaborations

In the 1970s Farlowe sings with Colosseum and later joins Atomic Rooster in 1972. With Colosseum he records a live album and the studio albums Daughter of Time, Bread and Circuses and Tomorrow’s Blues. With Atomic Rooster he appears on Made in England and Nice and Greasy.

He also contributes vocals to three tracks on Jimmy Page’s Death Wish II soundtrack and on the Outrider album, including Hummingbird, Prison Blues and Blues Anthem. His backing and associated acts also include the Chris Farlowe Band and The John Henry Skiffle Group.

Later career

Farlowe is involved in a serious road accident that keeps him from recording and performing for a couple of years. He later works with various bands and musicians through the 1980s and 1990s, and remains active on the live circuit in the UK and Europe. He also deals in antiques and has a showroom in Islington.