John Ford Coley, who shot to fame via his musical partnership with Dan Seals (a.k.a. England Dan), is back in the country for a four-city series of shows. It’s his fourth visit in the last seven years, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Johnny’s loved his Philippine sojourns thus far (notwithstanding the fact that he was 100 meters away from the infamous EDSA bus bombing in 2005).
The previous three occasions — the last in 2005 — were for highly successful Valentine concerts. “I was so surprised by the audience because they would be singing the songs,” he says with a heavy Southern accent and a grin at his press conference at the Hard Rock Café in Makati City. “And there were young kids, too! If you could just shorten the plane flight of 17 hours (from Nashville), that’d be good.”
Taking to the stage at this time of year is quite a treat for Coley, particularly because he’s turning 59 today, Oct. 13. “We could call this the birthday tour,” he says with smile. “We’ll be here for two weeks — the longest I’ve been here.”
There’s no sign of slowing down or letting up for Coley, who will perform the timeless standards he and Dan became known for. There’s Just Tell Me You Love Me, I’d Really Love to See You Tonight, Love is the Answer, among many.
Baby boomers are sure to delight in his nostalgic trip to the ’70s, when life was a lot simpler, and the earth was a lot cooler. John’s contemporaries and the musicians he had shared the stage (or at least a bill) with read like a who’s who of essential artists: Cristopher Cross, Stephen Bishop, Al Stewart, Three Dog Night — even Led Zeppelin. But Coley promises there will be new material as well. Of course, life didn’t stop when he separated from Dan Seal in 1980. He continues to write and produce other artists as well. Today, John boasts of a career that is brimming with credentials: Classically trained pianist, guitarist, actor and author.
He also talks at length about his radical change of faith from what he called a “false religion” to Christianity. It’s also the reason why a reunion with Dan Seals (who still keeps the faith, and has taken ill with lymphoma, to boot) is out of the question. Yet Coley maintains he prays for him and does get to indirectly check on his former musical collaborator.
As for the music he purveys nowadays, Coley has learned to approach it from a different perspective — largely through eye-opening, soul-baring interactions with other musicians. It’s important for him to make a connection, he says — ever striving for excellence (“not perfection, which is impossible”) in his craft. And his strong faith stamps positive messages into his compositions.
Clearly, John Ford Coley is almost 59 years young, and is enjoying every minute of it. “I’d really love to see you that night,” he paraphrases his song as he invites us to his show.
(John Ford Coley will perform at La Salle Auditorium in Bacolod City on Oct. 14; Casino Filipino-Angeles, Oct. 20; and Tacloban Convention Center, Oct. 21. The shows are produced by Steve O’Neal Productions.)