In this episode, we are featuring one of the Pop/Rock world’s most recognizable saxophonists, John Helliwell.

If you’ve ever heard The Logical Song, or Take the Long Way Home, Give a Little Bit, or It’s Raining Again by Supertramp, you’ve heard saxophonist and woodwinds specialist, John Helliwell.

Born in West Yorkshire, England, John’s first instrument was the clarinet.

After hearing Sidney Bechet and Cannonball Adderley, he saved up his money to buy an alto saxophone at age 15, and never looked back.

John played with many bands (The Dicemen, Alan Bown Set, and many others), and in the summer of 1973, got a call from the band, Supertramp.

They made the album “Crime of the Century” and began the long climb to international success, moving to California in the process.

“Breakfast in America” was the biggest selling album in the world in 1979!

Helliwell has been with the group for 50 years, and now also plays music based on his many inspirations - including jazz, funk, blues, soul and rock. 

He has a jazz group - “Crème Anglaise” and also plays around Europe.

The link to the full episode is on our website.

We talked about:

• Getting his first saxophone after being inspired by Cannonball Adderley
• How he taught himself jazz and learned on the fly, playing with many different bands
• The story behind joining the legendary Pop group, Supertramp, and how he’s stayed with them for 50 years 
• The stories behind his iconic sax solos with Supertramp
• Why his solos have stood the test of time
• His equipment
• New projects
• And much more!

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