The Official Website of the Singer & Songwriter

Karl Johansen of Edinburgh, UK

JACKIE - NOW AND THEN
 
Many fans have asked me over the years "What was the TV programme that featured Jackie's song Where Are You Now" and of course it was "It's Dark Outside"; that question is still asked today by Jackie's fans throughout the world. Where Are You Now was a number one hit for Jackie and well deserved; she toppled the Beatles off the top spot!
 
Jackie has recorded some stunning tracks over the years and it's very hard to choose a favourite but the following are in my JT top ten in no particular order:-
 
It's All In The Way You Look At Life
Hummingbird
Such A Small Love
If You Ever Leave Me
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Send In The Clowns
Love Is Me, Love Is You
After The Hill
Baby Are You Puttin' Me On
Jazz For The Masses
 
My first meeting with Jackie was after a performance of Nell; she (and Tony) signed some albums for me. I asked if I could start a fan club for them and this resulted in a meeting at their London flat. After a question & answer session I had the beginnings of the first newsletter.
 
The late 60's/early 70's was a great time for me meeting new friends and many of us are still in regular contact; we visit each other from time to time. Through mutual admiration of Jackie, Dusty & Cilla I made friends in America, Ireland, Sth Africa, Wales & various parts of England. I introduced my U.S. friend to several British artists, including Jackie, and he was hooked. Over the years we sent albums and 45's back and forth across the Atlantic until CDs were born. I have visited the States more times than I ever imagined and last year I returned there to help celebrate my friend’s milestone birthday – 60th. We are now no longer children of the 60's - we ARE in our 60's
 
Friends, in turn, introduced me to artists I may not have listened to. I remember being sent a Chris Rea CD for my birthday, which I played constantly; then, of course, I had to buy his back catalogue. That's the downside of having an eclectic musical taste: you like too many people and it costs a small fortune!
 
By the early 70’s fan clubs were starting to get past their sell-by date for many artists, so sadly the fan club did not last too long, however our friendship lasted and many years later the Jackie Trent Website was born - with her full approval of course. One day I simply ‘phoned Jackie and asked if I might create an official Jackie Trent web site. However getting Jackie to write something proved rather more difficult, but eventually she was coaxed to write a few words. Not being too PC literate myself, I needed a friend to do the complicated stuff, like setting things up on the website. I merely said what I wanted, typed things up and it was added to the site for me.

Avanida, the original JT website, lasted several years through which I made more new friends along the way. Charles from Sth Australia was keen to get a copy of JT's record My Country, which is almost an anthem in Australia. After several emails to Tony regarding the availability of the record, it arrived and was duly sent on. Charles and I share many musical tastes and besides Jackie we also like Neil Sedaka, Dusty and Gene Pitney. I have been invited to stay with Charles and his wife (and their dog) when I visit later in the year.
 
During my last trip to Australia a fan in Sydney (Peter) was desperate for a copy of Jackie's Pye Anthology so we met for dinner and have remained friends since. Looking out of that restaurant window I was intrigued to see little lights bobbing up and down: it was people doing the night walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the lights were on their hard hats. Also in Sydney I met Carolyn & David, who work for Jackie, and I was treated to dinner at the famous Doyle's restaurant; we also remain in touch to this day.

When I moved on to Melbourne during that trip I met another friend of Jackie's: Craig, who actually became a father for the first time, days after we met. Craig gave me a wonderful gift: he transferred many TV appearances of Jackie's over the years from video to DVD and gave them to me. I sat enthralled that night in my hotel room watching shows like the annual Carols in the Domain, with Jackie singing many songs not normally associated with her, like:
- Song Of Joy,
- Elton John's Can You Feel The Love Tonight & Circle Of Life.

Jackie sang her heart out on those performances and there were other guest appearances, when she sang several of Petula's hits. Jackie always does them her way and I like that. Also the banter between Jackie and the TV hosts was very funny.
 
Many years ago I met some Frank Sinatra fans, including the late Frank Allison. Frank was a very genuine man and worked for the Glasgow Herald; in fact he came along with me to see Jackie & Tony in concert at the Pavilion and we all met backstage, afterwards.
Frank coaxed me into running the Edinburgh branch of The Sinatra Society which I did. Once a month we would get together with a pre-planned programme of music that included many artists, not just Sinatra. There was a regular feature of a specific artist, so of course Trent/Hatch had the spotlight during one such meeting.
 
One avid Sinatra fan – Peggy - was there with her husband Bob. Peggy loves life and music and we have remained friends to this day. In fact I saw Peggy just a few days ago; she turned 90 last year and I was invited to her celebration by her sons. Sadly Bob passed away many years ago but Peggy keeps on going, she even came with us on a family trip to Las Vegas/Palm Springs.
 
A few years ago Jackie did a short concert tour in Australia and the web site really lit up with feedback from her fans over there; some of them saw her more than once and relayed the information back to me.
 
Music really is Universal; it brings people together in their admiration of a particular artist and indeed it brought a friendship with Jackie and myself that has lasted for over forty years. We've been there through good times and bad, but we're still here....

 I can remember seeing Jackie on TV back in the 60's and, from a distance she resembled Dusty with the blonde hair piled up, the eye makeup and the long dresses, but when the camera zoomed in, it was definitely Jackie and her eyes shone when she sang as if she was really enjoying herself. I later mentioned that to her and she confirmed she really was enjoying every minute.
 
Having known Jackie for so long you may think I have seen her onstage countless times - wrong! I have seen Jackie in concert once and in musicals twice. I have, however, had the opportunity to be with her twice in the recording studios. I am looking forward very much to the concerts in June which I'm sure will be fantastic and I shall really enjoy seeing her eyes shining once again as she sings her heart out for us all!

Karl Johansen
Edinburgh
March 2011