John Parr

John Parr

John Parr is a British rock musician from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, active as a singer, songwriter and performer in pop, rock and classical-influenced styles. He is associated with the John Parr Band and first enters music as a teenager, forming a band called The Silence with two schoolmates. The group becomes professional and tours Europe before Parr moves on to other projects.

Early career

After leaving The Silence, Parr joins Ponders End, a progressive rock group that gains a reputation as one of the best live acts in Newcastle alongside Dire Straits, but does not secure a record deal. In 1983 he signs a publishing deal with Carlin Music. That same year, Meat Loaf asks him to write songs for a new album, leading to a meeting with John Wolfe, manager of The Who.

1980s breakthrough

Parr’s first trip to America comes in 1984, when he works with Meat Loaf on Bad Attitude while his own recording deal is completed in New York. His debut album, John Parr, includes “Naughty Naughty”, which becomes his first US top 40 hit and reaches number 48 on the Billboard 200. The song also receives strong airplay on American rock radio.

In 1985 he tours the United States with The Business, supporting Toto in large venues. During this period “Magical” reaches number 28 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.

Parr’s biggest international success comes when David Foster asks him to contribute to the soundtrack for St. Elmo’s Fire. “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” becomes a number one hit in the United States and reaches the top 40 in more than six countries. The song is written on behalf of Canadian wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen and becomes Parr’s signature track. It continues to be used in support of disabled athletes.

Other recordings and collaborations

Parr co-writes “Under a Raging Moon” for Roger Daltrey, a tribute to Keith Moon and to the wider history of The Who. The parent album becomes Daltrey’s biggest solo success in the United States. In 1986 Parr duets with Marilyn Martin on “Through the Night (Love Song from Quicksilver)”, from the soundtrack to the film Quicksilver, and he also writes and produces additional tracks for Martin’s debut album, including “Night Moves”.

He later writes and performs “Two Hearts”, the main theme for American Anthem, working with Albert Magnili on the film. He also records “Rock & Roll Mercenaries”.

Live work and later projects

In the late 1980s Parr takes part in a satellite broadcast organised by Pepsi and Jack Calmes Satellite TV Corporation, performing live from London to audiences across America, Japan and Australia. The show reaches almost 50 million viewers. He has also previously performed similar televised concerts, including one from the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles and a New Year Christmas show from London.

In 1988 he works with Robert John “Mutt” Lange to produce the debut album by Romeo’s Daughter. When arena rock and progressive rock fall out of fashion in the 1990s, Parr continues working, including writing commercial jingles. He remains active on tour and later joins Acoustic Fever with Herman Rarebell, Bobby Kimball and others.