For Immediate Release:
For The Attention of The Music Media
Folk legend Julie Felix celebrates her 75th birthday with a Gemini Concert in London’s Leicester Square Theatre on 15 June. Friends and fellow musicians so far confirmed to join her on stage are American Soul Singer, Madeline Bell originally of Blue Mink, also singer-songwriter Rosalie Deighton with Steve Balsamo (Jesus Christ Superstar), but with friends ranging from Leonard Cohen and John Paul Jones to Steve Harley and David Frost there’s no telling who will turn up to join in the celebrations. Julie played to a packed house at Christ Church last November in aid of Richard Field’s Uganda Project.
This gig is guaranteed to be even more powerful .Tickets are £32.50. Buy Tickets Here.
An insight on Julie Felix:
Julie Felix arrived in England in 1964 after leaving California and hitching through Europe with her guitar. She was soon signed with Decca – the first solo folk artist to be signed to a major British record company. Decca quickly released her first album Julie Felix and single, Someday Soon. The following year saw the release of Julie Felix – the Second Album, which featured Bob Dylan’s When The Ship Comes In, and a (now very collectable) EP, Julie Felix Sings Bob Dylan & Woody Guthrie, featuring Dylan’s Masters Of War and Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright, as well as two Woody Guthrie songs.
In 1966, Julie headlined Croydon’s Fairfield Hall, and later became the first British-based folk singer to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. The now sought-after album Julie Felix Live in Concert was a recording of part of this concert, and featured her interpretation of Dylan’s Love Minus Zero/No Limit. In the same year, Julie became the resident singer on The Frost Report, which led to her own TV series in 1968 – the first in colour to be produced by the BBC. Guests included Spike Milligan, Richard Harris, Leonard Cohen, Dusty Springfield, Donovan and Jimmy Page. This long-running series was moved from BBC2 to BBC1 in 1970. Also In 1969, Julie was one of the main artists to appear at the Isle of Wight Festival where Bob Dylan made his comeback U.K. appearance after his 1966 tour.
In 1970, Julie signed with Mickie Most’s RAK label, and became the first artist to have a hit on the RAK label with Paul Simon’s If I Could (El Condor Pasa). Her 1972 RAK album Clotho’s Web included musicians John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, and the late superstar drummer Cozy Powell. A number of hits on the RAK label followed.
Julie moved back to California in the 1980s and took a break from the music world. She returned to the scene in 1989 by creating the Remarkable Records label and releasing Bright Shadows, her first album for 10 years. This was followed by several CDs on the Remarkable label including the live performance at the QEH recorded at Julie’s 60th birthday concert. The concert was introduced by David Frost.
In 2005 Julie brought her admiration of Bob Dylan’s writing to the fore by releasing her double album on Remarkable Records Starry Eyed and Laughing – Songs by Bob Dylan. Supporting musicians included John Paul Jones (playing mandolin) and Danny Thompson (on bass), and the album featured contributions by such luminaries as John Renbourn, Kiki Dee, Carmel Luggeri, and, P.J. Wright. Martin Carthy plays on The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll. This track was engineered by Dave Swarbrick.
In Julie’s own words: “This project deepened the already intense respect and affection I hold for Bob Dylan: a Gemini with his own Mercury mouth who continues to journey ‘down the foggy ruins of time’, and although one of his twins may find himself ‘on the bottom of a world full of lies’ the other twin remains Starry Eyed and Laughing.”
A 2004 compilation on Track Records, entitled ‘The Rainbow Collection’, featured seventeen songs (four by Dylan) and included a fine interpretation of Wild Mountain Thyme, which Julie had heard Dylan sing when they both appeared at The Isle Of Wight Festival in 1969. It turned out to be the only time he ever performed the song!
In 2007 Remarkable released Highway of Diamonds, an album dedicated to her friend and mentor: Micky Most.
Recently Cherry Red Records released two albums by Julie. The first was a CD of her first three LPs for Decca Records recorded 1964 – 1966 : JULIE FELIX first, second & third. The second was a re issue of the album and singles she recorded 1970 – 1972 with Micky Most on his RAK label: Clotho’s Web.
Julie is still singing for peace and equality. Earlier this year she joined Brian Eno, Tony Benn and Mark Rylance in London concert for Stop The War. “Don’t Attack Iran”.
Julie is excited about her first exclusive download single to be released before Christmas this year. TIGER EYES
Next year she will work with John Cameron on a new album to be called The Winds of Change, and in June 2013, she will perform at the prestigious Leicester Square Theatre to celebrate her 75th birthday.
Her star continues to shine bright. In the words of Steve Harley:
“There are those among us who just have to play and sing; to whom there can e no question of quitting; to whom their work is not a job, but a calling. Julie Felix is one such musician.
What began for little Julie as simple home entertainment, as her father and his friends played Mariachi music into the small hours of the morning, has actually been this remarkable woman’s profession for nearly 50 years.
It’s a tough business, music. Only the good and the genuine last the course.”
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