Johnny Hates Jazz turn back the clock at The Apex

The clock was literally turned back to the mid 1980s … with a little bit of the 2020s thrown in for good measure.

The songs came in abundance during a two set gig at The Apex, last night (Thursday, October 17) in front of an adoring audience.

Johnny Hates Jazz (pictured above) completed a string of tracks as they came thick and fast throughout a two-hour performance ranging from their standout hit, the iconic“Shattered Dreams” (which rounded off the evening), to some of their more recent tracks including “Release You”, “Magnetised” and “Turn The Tide”.

The songs captured the mood throughout from foot tapping songs through to ballads.

The band was at its final show of a headline tour of the UK and overseas, which began way back in March this year in London.

It was the first time in 36 years they have been round Britain and Europe and the vocal chords of singer and environmental campaigner Clark Datchler showed no signs of waning.

The 60-year-old belted out song after song ably backed by his long standing bass player Mike Nocito, along with keyboards, guitar and drums.

The outfit achieved prominence in the late 1980s with a string of hits, notably “Shattered Dreams” which was released in March 1987.

The song reached the Top 5 in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia and those at the concert last night remembered every word as they sang along.

This chart success was followed up by the anti-war anthem “I Don’t Want To Be A Hero”, “Turn Back The Clock”, “Heart Of Gold”, and “Don’t Say It’s Love”. 

But the group parted ways while at their peak only to be reunited in 2010 releasing the album “Magnetized” in 2013 … the title track becoming an instant radio hit in the UK. 

Clark told the fans about his jazz-musician father Fred being a great influence on his career.

He had been a member of two chart-topping bands in the 1950’s and 60’s. The first of these, The Stargazers, were the first British group to have a number one hit on the UK charts, and had their own weekly BBC radio show. 

Later, as a member of The Polkadots, Fred sang with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee and Petula Clark.

He died in 1998 but Clark wrote a song dedicated to his parents and their love for one another and included it (“Ghost of Love”) in last night’s concert.

It was a thrilling show throughout with just one single blemish as I bumped into an acquaintance at the end.

She told me that Kim Wilde (who was credited as singing backing vocals on “Turn Back The Clock”) was also billed to appear with the band and showed me a publicity photo but she failed to appear.

It may have disappointed some of those attending last night’s performance but failed to distract from a wonderful night out.