Kelly Jones

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For other people named Kelly Jones, see Kelly Jones (disambiguation).

Kelly Jones
Jones at the Tsunami Relief Cardiff charity concert, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 2005
Born (1974-06-03) 3 June 1974 (age 49)
Cwmaman, Wales, United Kingdom
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • guitarist
Years active1992–present
SpouseJakki Healy (2013–present)
PartnerRebecca Walters (2003–2007)
Children4
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
LabelsStylus Records
Member ofStereophonics
Websitestereophonics.com

Kelly Jones (born 3 June 1974) is a Welsh musician and a founding member, lead singer, and guitarist of the rock band Stereophonics.

Early life and debut[edit]

Kelly Jones was born the youngest of three boys to Beryl and Arwyn Jones in the small Welsh former mining village of Cwmaman, Rhondda Cynon Taff, spending his childhood with them and his two older brothers, Kevin and Lee.

Both of his parents worked in factories. His father coached youth football and pursued his own singing career. The name of Arwyn's backing band, Oscar and the Kingfishers, earned him the nickname 'Oscar' among friends and family. He went on to secure a record deal with Polydor, who renamed him 'Arwyn Davidson' due to the sheer number of Joneses in the music business at the time. Despite making multiple recordings, sharing the Hollies' manager and supporting slots with the likes of Roy Orbison, Arwyn had minimal mainstream success and only released a few singles (including a cover of the Graham Nash song "Simple Man").[1]

During Jones' youth his uncle, a boxing referee, got him interested in the sport, and he later competed at a high level in South Wales. Following this Jones moved onto football, where he played for his county. Jones grew up in the village of Cwmaman, where he became friends with neighbours, Stuart Cable and Richard Jones (no relation), with whom he formed, in 1992, one of a string of covers bands.

Jones' talent for writing was apparent in his youth. He studied film at college and considered becoming a scriptwriter – attracting interest from the BBC for his work – before focusing on music.[2] As his band progressed from covers to performing original material, Jones brought his gift for narrative to his lyrics. He also flirted with the idea of career in boxing, and was a successful fighter at junior levels.[3]

There is a strong autobiographical thread to Jones' writing on Stereophonics' 1997 debut album, Word Gets Around, including an account of his teenage years working on a market stall, "More Life in a Tramps Vest".

Career[edit]

Kelly Jones and the Stereophonics September 2007

In 1996, after several years on the south Wales live circuit, Stereophonics were the first band to be signed to Richard Branson's new Virgin Records label V2. Their debut EP Looks Like Chaplin was not pressed in enough numbers to qualify for the charts, and their next single Local Boy in the Photograph peaked one place shy of the UK Top 50. However, their debut LP Word Gets Around, helped by a busy touring schedule that included a support slot on fellow Welsh band Manic Street Preachers' 1996–97 tour, peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.

In January 2005, Kelly Jones performed a solo set at the Tsunami Relief Cardiff charity concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.[citation needed]

Other projects[edit]

In 2007, Jones released his first solo album, Only the Names Have Been Changed, as a limited edition, which managed to reach number 1 on the iTunes download chart.[where?] He explained: "We were recording the sixth Stereophonics album last year and in-between takes I started doing these songs off the cuff. Three or four tracks in, I realised that this could actually be something [...] strange how it's always little things that makes big things happen." This created speculation that Jones would leave Stereophonics to pursue his solo career; however, he denied this.[4]

In 2023 Jones released an album Far from Saints, a collaboration with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of the American band The Wind and The Wave who had been tourmates with Stereophonics.

Influences and musical style[edit]

Jones is influenced by musicians such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Sex Pistols.[5] He is noted for his raspy voice, which has been described as "whiskey"[6] and has drawn criticism as well as acclaim.[7]

Jones playing his Gibson Les Paul Goldtop in 2007.

Controversy[edit]

Jones has had a troubled relationship with the national tabloid press and they have often criticised him, his contribution to music, and his vocal abilities.[7] Jones has generated headlines several times by criticising fellow Britpop and post-Britpop musical artists, most notably Radiohead frontman and solo artist Thom Yorke. Jones criticised Yorke's attitude in a 2002 interview due to what he felt was complaining about touring on Radiohead's 1998 home video release, Meeting People Is Easy. He said: "We can all relate to that video – y'know, having to do a hundred fucking idents for radio stations – but that doesn't mean you've got to walk around and be a miserable twat to everybody. Which is what Thom Yorke is mostly."[8][9] He later expressed regret for this comment, since he was a fan of Yorke.[10]

Jones is known for his cynical view of manufactured pop and has also criticised reality shows such as Popstars and The X Factor, as well as manufactured bands such as Hear'Say.[11]

Personal life[edit]

In 2002 Jones was arrested for vandalism; the state later declined to press charges. Jones wrote the song "Rainbows and Pots of Gold" in response to the event.[12] Jones and Rebecca Walters have two children;[13] the couple split shortly after the birth of the second child. Jones then married MTV journalist Jakki Healy; they have two children.[14]

Influenced as a child by his older brothers, Kevin and Lee, Jones has been a life-long supporter of Leeds United Football Club. [15][16]

Discography[edit]

Jones in July 2007

Studio albums[edit]

Studio albums by Kelly Jones
Title Year
Only the Names Have Been Changed 2007
Inevitable Incredible 2024

Live albums[edit]

Live albums by Kelly Jones
Title Year Chart positions
UK
[17]
Don't Let the Devil Take Another Day 2020 8

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Arwyn Davidson Discography – All Countries". 45cat.com.
  2. ^ Cat, Researcher; Nick Fel (16 August 2001). "Stereophonics – The Band". BBC. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Kelly Jones: I could have been a boxer... or a jailbird!". Walesonline. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  4. ^ Foley, Jack (2007). "Kelly Jones announces solo dates". IndieLondon. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  5. ^ Cripps, Charlotte (5 December 2008). "One Minute With... Kelly Jones, Stereophonics". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  6. ^ "Stereophonics @ The Forum, Melbourne (04/05/08)". FasterLouder. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  7. ^ a b Neil McCormick (27 October 2007). "Stereophonics: The critics hate us – so what?". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009.
  8. ^ Clark, Stuart (August 2002). "Stereophonics Interview". Hot Press.
  9. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (14 October 2007). "Soundtrack of my life: Kelly Jones". The Observer. London. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  10. ^ Fullerton, Lee-Ann; Lyons, Beverley. "The Razz: Kelly's aye sorry". Daily Record. Archived at TheFreeLibrary. 2 February 2004. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Stereophonics attack TV popstar". BBC Wales. 27 March 2001. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  12. ^ "Kelly jones – stereophonics singer's violent rage at ex's new love". Contactmusic.com. 7 July 2003. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  13. ^ "Fatherhood for Stereophonic Kelly". BBC. 30 January 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Kelly Jones of Stereophonics: 'I'm just so proud of my trans son, Colby'". independent.
  15. ^ "My team: Leeds United, by Kelly Jones of Stereophonics". The Guardian.
  16. ^ "Stereophonics star Kelly Jones on his Leeds United love and how he became a Whites supporter". Leeds Live.
  17. ^ "Kelly Jones | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
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