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{{Short description|English rock guitarist}}
{{Short description|English rock guitarist (born 1944)}}
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'''Michael Leslie Jones''' (born 27 December 1944) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known as the last remaining original member of the British-American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]]. Prior to Foreigner, he was in the band [[Spooky Tooth]].
'''Michael Leslie Jones''' (born 27 December 1944) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known as the founder and leader of the British-American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Christopher |date=2024-02-22 |title=Foreigner's Mick Jones suffers from Parkinson's disease |url=https://www.wecb.fm/foreigners-mick-jones-suffers-from-parkinsons-disease/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Wecb.fm|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lou Gramm Thanks RRHoF for Nominating Foreigner |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/lou_gramm_thanks_rrhof_for_nominating_foreigner.html |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Ultimate-guitar.com |language=en}}</ref> Prior to Foreigner, he was in the band [[Spooky Tooth]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barry |first=John W. |title=Foreigner, always urgent, gears up for Mid-Hudson Civic Center |url=https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/entertainment/2017/04/20/foreigner-mid-hudson-civic-center/100166796/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Poughkeepsie Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
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== Career ==
== Career ==
He began his professional music career in the early 1960s as a member of the band [[Nero and the Gladiators]], who scored two minor British [[hit single]]s in 1961. After the demise of Nero and the Gladiators, Jones worked as a songwriter and [[session musician]] in [[France]] for such artists as [[Françoise Hardy]], [[Sylvie Vartan]], and [[Johnny Hallyday]] ("The French Elvis"), for whom he wrote many songs, including "Je suis né dans la rue" and "[[À tout casser]]" (which features [[Jimmy Page]] on guitar). When [[The Beatles]] toured France in 1964, they befriended Jones when Hallyday's girlfriend and future wife, [[Sylvie Vartan]], played on the same bill as they did. Between 1965 and 1971, Jones recorded in France with [[Nero and the Gladiators|Tommy Brown]] (Thomas R. Browne) as State of Mickey & Tommy, as well as under other session names, including the Blackburds, Nimrod, and the J&B.
He began his professional music career in the early 1960s as a member of the band [[Nero and the Gladiators]], who scored two minor British [[hit single]]s in 1961. After the demise of Nero and the Gladiators, Jones worked as a songwriter and [[session musician]] in France for such artists as [[Françoise Hardy]], [[Sylvie Vartan]], and [[Johnny Hallyday]] ("The French Elvis"), for whom he wrote many songs, including "Je suis né dans la rue" and "[[À tout casser (song)|À tout casser]]" (which features [[Jimmy Page]] on guitar). When [[The Beatles]] toured France in 1964, they befriended Jones when Hallyday's girlfriend and future wife, [[Sylvie Vartan]], played on the same bill as they did. Between 1965 and 1971, Jones recorded in France with [[Nero and the Gladiators|Tommy Brown]] (Thomas R. Browne) as State of Mickey & Tommy, as well as under other session names, including the Blackburds, Nimrod, and the J&B.


After leaving France to return to his home country, Jones joined [[Gary Wright]], formerly of the band [[Spooky Tooth]], to form Wonderwheel in 1971. In 1972, Jones and Wright reformed Spooky Tooth and, after that, Jones was a member of the [[Leslie West|Leslie West Band]]. He also played guitar on the albums ''[[Wind of Change (album)|Wind of Change]]'' (1972) for [[Peter Frampton]], and ''[[Dark Horse (George Harrison album)|Dark Horse]]'' (1974) for [[George Harrison]].
After leaving France to return to his home country, Jones joined [[Gary Wright]], formerly of the band [[Spooky Tooth]], to form Wonderwheel in 1971. In 1972, Jones and Wright reformed Spooky Tooth and, after that, Jones was a member of the [[Leslie West|Leslie West Band]]. He also played guitar on the albums ''[[Wind of Change (album)|Wind of Change]]'' (1972) for [[Peter Frampton]], and ''[[Dark Horse (George Harrison album)|Dark Horse]]'' (1974) for [[George Harrison]].
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In between his Foreigner commitments, Jones also started a side career as a producer for such albums as [[Van Halen]]'s ''[[5150 (album)|5150]]'' (1986), [[Bad Company]]'s ''[[Fame and Fortune]]'' (1986) and [[Billy Joel]]'s ''[[Storm Front (album)|Storm Front]]'' (1989).
In between his Foreigner commitments, Jones also started a side career as a producer for such albums as [[Van Halen]]'s ''[[5150 (album)|5150]]'' (1986), [[Bad Company]]'s ''[[Fame and Fortune]]'' (1986) and [[Billy Joel]]'s ''[[Storm Front (album)|Storm Front]]'' (1989).


He co-wrote with [[Eric Clapton]] the song "[[Bad Love (Eric Clapton song)|Bad Love]]" on Clapton's ''[[Journeyman (album)|Journeyman]]'' album,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eric-clapton.co.uk/ecla/lyrics/bad-love.html|title=Bad Love|website=Eric-clapton.co.uk}}</ref> and in 2002 co-wrote the song "On Her Mind" with [[Duncan Sheik]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/duncansheik/articles/story/5933980/duncan_sheik_sees_the_light|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515022554/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/duncansheik/articles/story/5933980/duncan_sheik_sees_the_light|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 May 2008|title=Rolling Stone, "Duncan Sheik Sees the Light" (15 July 2002)|website=Rollingstone.com}}</ref> In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he played with [[Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings]].
He co-wrote with [[Eric Clapton]] the song "[[Bad Love (Eric Clapton song)|Bad Love]]" on Clapton's ''[[Journeyman (album)|Journeyman]]'' album,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eric-clapton.co.uk/ecla/lyrics/bad-love.html|title=Bad Love|website=Eric-clapton.co.uk}}</ref> and in 2002 co-wrote the song "On Her Mind" with [[Duncan Sheik]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/duncansheik/articles/story/5933980/duncan_sheik_sees_the_light|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515022554/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/duncansheik/articles/story/5933980/duncan_sheik_sees_the_light|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 May 2008|title=Rolling Stone, "Duncan Sheik Sees the Light" (15 July 2002)|website=Rollingstone.com}}</ref> In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he played with [[Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings]]. In 2024, Jones was selected for induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], as a member of Foreigner.<ref name="rrhof24">{{cite web |date=22 April 2024 |title=2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees |url=https://rockhall.com/2024-inductees/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame}}</ref>




== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
[[File:Mick Jones Foreigner November 1979.jpg|thumb|Mick Jones performing with Foreigner on November 25, 1979]]
[[File:Mick Jones Foreigner November 1979.jpg|thumb|Mick Jones performing with Foreigner on November 25, 1979]]
Jones is married to socialite/writer/jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones, mother of [[Mark Ronson|Mark]], [[Samantha Ronson|Samantha]] and [[Charlotte Ronson]]. He and Dexter-Jones have two children, [[Annabelle Dexter-Jones]] and Alexander Dexter-Jones. Married for nearly 25 years (1983-2007), they divorced in 2007. In March 2017, the couple remarried.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cottagesgardens.com/it-feels-like-the-first-time-ann-dexter-jones-greenwich-village-apartment-is-available-to-buy/ | title=It 'Feels Like the First Time' Ann-Dexter Jones' Greenwich Village Apartment is Available to Buy | date=6 October 2017 }}</ref> Jones also has two sons, Roman Jones and Christopher Jones, from previous relationships.
Jones is married to socialite/writer/jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones, mother of [[Mark Ronson|Mark]], [[Samantha Ronson|Samantha]] and [[Charlotte Ronson]]. He and Dexter-Jones have two children, [[Annabelle Dexter-Jones]] and Alexander Dexter-Jones. Married for nearly 25 years (1983–2007), they divorced in 2007. In March 2017, the couple remarried.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cottagesgardens.com/it-feels-like-the-first-time-ann-dexter-jones-greenwich-village-apartment-is-available-to-buy/ | title=It 'Feels Like the First Time' Ann-Dexter Jones' Greenwich Village Apartment is Available to Buy|website=Cottagesgardens.com| date=6 October 2017 }}</ref> Jones also has two sons, Roman Jones and Christopher Jones, from previous relationships.

In February 2024, Jones revealed that he had been diagnosed with [[Parkinson's disease]] years back, citing this as his reason for not touring with Foreigner since 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/02/21/mick-jones-foreigner-parkinsons-disease/72684360007/ | title=Foreigner founder Mick Jones reveals Parkinson's diagnosis amid farewell tour absences|website=Eu.usatoday.com}}</ref>


== Album producer credits ==
== Album producer credits ==
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{{Foreigner}}
{{Foreigner}}
{{Spooky Tooth}}
{{Spooky Tooth}}
{{2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|state=collapsed}}
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{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:English male songwriters]]
[[Category:English male songwriters]]
[[Category:Foreigner (band) members]]
[[Category:Foreigner (band) members]]
[[Category:Lead guitarists]]
[[Category:British lead guitarists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Portsmouth]]
[[Category:Musicians from Portsmouth]]

Revision as of 19:09, 27 September 2024

Mick Jones
Jones performing with Foreigner in 2016
Jones performing with Foreigner in 2016
Background information
Birth nameMichael Leslie Jones
Born (1944-12-27) 27 December 1944 (age 79)
Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
OriginAndover, Hampshire, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • singer
  • producer
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • keyboards
  • vocals
Years active1961–present
Labels

Michael Leslie Jones (born 27 December 1944) is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known as the founder and leader of the British-American rock band Foreigner.[1][2] Prior to Foreigner, he was in the band Spooky Tooth.[3]

Early life

Michael Leslie Jones was born on 27 December 1944 in Portsmouth, England.[citation needed] Jones started playing guitar at an early age, and decided to pursue a career in music.

Career

He began his professional music career in the early 1960s as a member of the band Nero and the Gladiators, who scored two minor British hit singles in 1961. After the demise of Nero and the Gladiators, Jones worked as a songwriter and session musician in France for such artists as Françoise Hardy, Sylvie Vartan, and Johnny Hallyday ("The French Elvis"), for whom he wrote many songs, including "Je suis né dans la rue" and "À tout casser" (which features Jimmy Page on guitar). When The Beatles toured France in 1964, they befriended Jones when Hallyday's girlfriend and future wife, Sylvie Vartan, played on the same bill as they did. Between 1965 and 1971, Jones recorded in France with Tommy Brown (Thomas R. Browne) as State of Mickey & Tommy, as well as under other session names, including the Blackburds, Nimrod, and the J&B.

After leaving France to return to his home country, Jones joined Gary Wright, formerly of the band Spooky Tooth, to form Wonderwheel in 1971. In 1972, Jones and Wright reformed Spooky Tooth and, after that, Jones was a member of the Leslie West Band. He also played guitar on the albums Wind of Change (1972) for Peter Frampton, and Dark Horse (1974) for George Harrison.

In 1976, Jones formed Foreigner with Ian McDonald, and recruited lead singer Lou Gramm. Jones co-produced all of the band's albums and co-wrote most of their songs with Gramm. Jones is credited with writing the band's most successful single, "I Want to Know What Love Is", by himself.[4][5] Tensions developed within the band during the late 1980s, attributed to a difference in musical taste between Gramm, who favoured a more hard-edged rock, as opposed to Jones' interest in synthesisers. Gramm left the band in 1990 but returned in 1992. In 1989 Jones released his only solo album, titled Mick Jones, on the Atlantic Records label. Jones is the only person to play on every Foreigner album.

In between his Foreigner commitments, Jones also started a side career as a producer for such albums as Van Halen's 5150 (1986), Bad Company's Fame and Fortune (1986) and Billy Joel's Storm Front (1989).

He co-wrote with Eric Clapton the song "Bad Love" on Clapton's Journeyman album,[6] and in 2002 co-wrote the song "On Her Mind" with Duncan Sheik.[7] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he played with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. In 2024, Jones was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Foreigner.[8]


Personal life

Mick Jones performing with Foreigner on November 25, 1979

Jones is married to socialite/writer/jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones, mother of Mark, Samantha and Charlotte Ronson. He and Dexter-Jones have two children, Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Alexander Dexter-Jones. Married for nearly 25 years (1983–2007), they divorced in 2007. In March 2017, the couple remarried.[9] Jones also has two sons, Roman Jones and Christopher Jones, from previous relationships.

In February 2024, Jones revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease years back, citing this as his reason for not touring with Foreigner since 2023.[10]

Album producer credits

In addition to the Foreigner albums, Jones has produced the following:

Discography

Albums

  • Mick Jones (1989 (Studio))
  • The Concert for London (2002 (Live))

Charting singles

Title Release Peak chart positions
Album

US
Main
"Just Wanna Hold" 1989 16 Mick Jones

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Christopher (22 February 2024). "Foreigner's Mick Jones suffers from Parkinson's disease". Wecb.fm. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Lou Gramm Thanks RRHoF for Nominating Foreigner". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ Barry, John W. "Foreigner, always urgent, gears up for Mid-Hudson Civic Center". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ I Want to Know What Love Is Allmusic Retrieved 13 February 2011
  5. ^ I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner Billboard Retrieved 13 February 2011
  6. ^ "Bad Love". Eric-clapton.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Rolling Stone, "Duncan Sheik Sees the Light" (15 July 2002)". Rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008.
  8. ^ "2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  9. ^ "It 'Feels Like the First Time' Ann-Dexter Jones' Greenwich Village Apartment is Available to Buy". Cottagesgardens.com. 6 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Foreigner founder Mick Jones reveals Parkinson's diagnosis amid farewell tour absences". Eu.usatoday.com.