HOPE YOU FIND ME IN YOU

QUOTES & BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Howard with his gear. '96

"I have things to say - that's why I write songs and it's what I love most of all."

"I'm a solo synthesizer artist that makes optimistic music that provokes thought."

"What I try and be is myself. I don't try to be what I'm supposed to be or what people think I'm supposed to be. I just try to be Howard Jones."

"I don't want to burden people with the chips on my shoulder. I want to offer something that is going to lift people up, not tend to drag them down."

"There is no other occasion like this on earth...this is the kind of thing that brings you to the very brink of fear...I'm frightened! But at the same time it's an addictive feeling." Howard before going on stage in High Wycombe

Brief Biography

Howard was born February 23, 1955 to Thelma and John Jones in Southampton. He is the eldest of 4 boys born to the Welsh parents. In fact, early in his life Howard and his brothers Roy, Martin, and Paul were already involved in music. They all sang together and studied piano. John's career took the family across the ocean to Canada and that was the start of Howard's writing. The family returned to England briefly, but they headed back to Canada and stayed for over 2 years. By this time Howard was about 14 years old and had made lots of friends in Ottawa where he played with local bands in the local youth clubs and coffee houses. It was during his first attended concert that Howard knew he wanted to be up on stage. It was his love of music that kept him from keeping his grades up and it was a growing concern. Thelma and John had decided that it was time to go back to England, and settled in High Wycombe.

Howard started his own band with his brothers and Warrior was born. They were playing classic rock music with influences by Genesis and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Howard spent the next few years with other bands, and hit the local venues in London regularly. His new influences of the early 1970's were David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and T-Rex. He completed school and attended the Royal Northern College of Music. Here he studied classical piano for two years, and barely made it through. He realized that it wasn't what he wanted, or needed to succeed. He knew he wanted to write and play pop music. They asked him to stay, but he had already made up his mind.

When he returned home he started giving piano lessons and this is where he started to raise some money for his own equipment. This is also where the relationship developed between Howard and Jan Smith. Jan is the sister of an old friend. They had known each other, but it was the time they spent together during the lessons that budded the romance. They were soon married. Howard was working in the Cling Film factory and Jan in an office. Howard could not devote as much time as he wanted to his music so they decided to start up their own venture.They sold produce from the back of a van. It was during this time that Howard was able to work on his music, both lyrically and vocally. He played in the local clubs of Oxford. Unfortunately, while standing at the back of the van, a drunk driver hit the front and Jan was pinned under the wheels. Howard raced to her side and got her free. It was discovered that the injuries weren't as serious as they seemed and a speedy recovery was in order. With Jan and the support of people from High Wycombe, Howard was destined to be a success. After some convincing Howard and Jan claimed some compensation for the accident and used the money to get the equipment he needed. There was a mistake, they sent him 2 synthesizers instead of 1. But he loved them together so much he kept them both. This was the turning point.

Howard was playing more gigs, and working on his writing. He had developed a circle of fans including Jed Hoile. It was his dancing that attracted Howard and the people as well. It was at this point that Howard invited him up on stage to perform with him. Howard was just about to sell everything to make his own record. No one treated the ambitious young man seriously. But it was through David Stopps and his connections, that Howard was able to perform at the Marquee Club in London. Jan organized coaches for his fans to make it to the shows, and Risk was born. Howard toured with China Crisis with only a couple of days notice, and perfected his live performances. He was signed with WEA, and celebrated with his family and friends back in High Wycombe.

The rest is music history.