Johnny “Ferg” Ferguson (b. 22 March 1937, Nashville, Tennesseee, USA) was a pop/country singer whose sole hit in the U.S. charts is "Angela Jones".
Johnny graduated from Hillsboro High School and attended
Peabody College for one year. While attending high school he worked part time
as a disc jockey in the late 50’s for WNAH, WAGG and WSM-TV in Tennessee and
WJAT in Georgia.
As a writer, he
managed to have a couple of his songs recorded by country acts Judy Lynn and
Pat Kelly and it was a demo of one of his songs that persuaded Arnold Maxin,
the managing director at MGM Records, to sign him.
His first single, the
catchy John D. Loudermilk song ‘Angela Jones’ gave him a transatlantic Top 30
hit in 1960, although in the UK a Joe Meek -produced cover version by Michael
Cox fared even better.
He also wrote and recorded two of his own songs for Decca Records in New York, “Sad Sad Day” and Candy Love.”. He also recorded under the
name of Johnny Ferg. Later recordings, including a version of ‘I Understand’,
failed to enhance his reputation on either side of the Atlantic and he joined
the ranks of one-hit-wonders.
He also wrote and recorded two of his own songs for Decca Records in New York, “Sad Sad Day” and Candy Love.”. He also recorded under the
name of Johnny Ferg. Later recordings, including a version of ‘I Understand’,
failed to enhance his reputation on either side of the Atlantic and he joined
the ranks of one-hit-wonders.
SINGLES
Decca (1958)
9-30572 What A Sad
Sad Day That Will Be / Candy Love – 02-58 (rev. Feb. 17)
9-30731 Last Date / 'Til School Starts Again – 08-58
(rev. Sept. 1)
MGM (1959-1960)
K 12789 Afterglow / Waitin' For The Sandman – 05-59
K 12855 Angela Jones / Blue Serge And White Lace - 12-59
K 12905 Flutter, Flutter / I Understand Just How You
Feel – 04-60
K 12960 The Valley Of Love / No One Can Love You
(Like I Do) - 10-60
After 1960 the internet trail goes cold. Any more info would
be appreciated. (see comments)
(Info edited mainly from All Music Guide & Billboard
Magazine & Praguefrank)
Bob;
ReplyDeleteCame across this obituary. John Lambeth Ferguson (March 22, 1937 - July 22, 2015).
Might be the missing piece of your fine tribute to Johnny Ferguson.
http://woodlawn-roesch-patton.tributes.com/dignitymemorial/obituary/John-Lambeth-Ferguson-102688527
Thanks for the blog. A loyal follower;
John Kinsman
Midland, ON Canada
Hello john,Thanks for the info. As you may well understand, I do not get much feed back regarding information about the lesser known recording stars. So yours is a gem. thank you for taking the time to reply. My little tribute to John was due to lack of information, just like do many of his ilk.
ReplyDeleteI do try to target the more lesser known artists if I can, but the bigger seem to get the spotlight.
Regards, bob
My father Ricky Roy singer/songwriter wrote "Til school starts again" sang by Johnny Ferguson.
ReplyDeleteDad said he was a very nice guy.I would
Like to meet his children and tell them their father made the world a better place with his music and charms.