The Johnny Average Band - Some People (1980)

Mick Hodgkinson / aka Johnny Average died of cancer on 19 September 2007 in Kingston New York, aged 61. He was born in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, England but moved to Woodstock New York in the 70s, to play with Elizabeth Barraclough. He then formed (and led) Johnny Average And The Falcons who later became The Johnny Average Band. He was a gifted songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and pianist and over the years he worked with with Ian Kimmet, Mick Ronson, Meatloaf, Brian Briggs, Billy J. Kramer, Jerry Dorsey, Terry Dactyl And The Dinosaurs and Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts.

Mick Ronson first recorded with the Falcons in 1980, on the "Some People" album by The Johnny Average Band. This was really the Falcons in disguise, and it was the first LP to feature all members who would later end up in the New York Yanquis.  Ronson played on the song "Gotta Go Home" - this was also available on a single in USA and England, as the B-side to "Ch Ch Cherie". For the record, Johnny Average's real name was Mick Hodgkinson - he was the Falcons' main keyboard player.  This album also featured his talented wife (and the Falcons' lead singer) Nicole Wills. Ronson later played on the eponymous debut album by her mid-80s band The Phantoms.

Nicole Wills was the lead vocalist with the Johnny Average Band, and she was also married to Johnny Average at the time. She had moved to Woodstock in the early 70s and soon teamed up with local bands - most notably The Falcons (who was the blueprint for Johnny Average Band). She eventually got signed to Bearsville Records - was managed by Albert Grossman and toured US and Europe in support of her solo album "Tell Me", released in 1983. On 28 October 2007, a Tribute To The Music Of Johnny Average was held at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Studio - featuring original members of The Falcons & The Johnny Average Band along with many special guests.

Track listing

01.  Thermostat  - 2:52 
02.  Whatcha Gonna Do (When The Reggae Breaks Your Heart)  - 3:36 
03.  Shake Your Shake  - 3:26 
04.  Some People  - 3:54 
05.  Wake Up Call  - 3:14 
06.  Ch Ch Cherie  - 2:43 
07.  Gotta Go Home  - 3:02 
08.  Heaven Bound  - 4:01 
09.  Public Image  - 3:07 
10.  Give Us All The Money  - 3:33 

Credits
Nikki Wills - Vocals
Johnny Average - Composer, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Vibraphone, Vocals
Don Adams - Trombone
Shane Fontayne - Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Ian Bennett - Sax (Tenor)
Frank Campbell - Guitar (Bass), Vocals (Background)
George Carnell - Engineer, Guitar (Bass), Vibraphone, Vocals (Background)
John Casto - Vocals
Mark McKenna - Vocals
Wells Kelly - Drums, Percussion
Billy Mundi - Drums
Eric Parker - Drums
Mick Ronson - Guitar
Dede Washburn - Vocals (Background)
Gary Windo - Sax (Tenor)
Producer - Mick Hodgkinson, Griff McRee

Notes
Genre:  Pop
Length:  33:42
Label:  Bearsville Records

© 1980