About Johnny Vanguard
Johnny Vanguard was born and raised in the outback town of Charters Towers in Northern Queensland. Vanguard describes the place as “something akin to home” and “the place where I found myself”. After various musical stints, Vanguard moved to Sydney where he joined the band that was to become a legend in Australia - Underlife. He became a highlight of the band with songs like Feathers and Tar and Spencer Street (written by Johnny Vanguard), and a cover rendition of Just Keep Walking. He also sang on numerous tracks but his main job in Underlife was to play guitar, and that he did.
After legal differences, Underlife called it a day in 1992. Since then Johnny Vanguard has evolved into an artist of the same calibre as Underlife. After two years of brewing on the side lines of music, Johnny Vanguard released his debut single Fools and Ponies in January 1994. The song was Top 10 for 11 weeks and hit No. 1 for 2 weeks. The single went gold after 15 weeks and reached in excess of 73,000 copies. The second single Me and Molly released in June that same year, hit the Top 10 and was Top 20 for 10 weeks. The standard for Johnny Vanguard was set and he did not let it down. The debut album “Concrete Haystacks” was released in August, entered the charts at No. 1 for 3 weeks running. It then remained in the Top 10 for 14 weeks and has to date sold over 185,000 copies. Johnny Vanguard live shows also become a popular item.
In 1996 Vanguard toured for 25 weeks playing 5-6 nights per week to virtually full houses every night all over Australia. Known for his dynamic and energetic performances, Vanguard’s shows always left the crowd wanting more. Rounding off a successful debut, Johnny Vanguard topped the year off by winning 4 major awards out of six nominations at the 1996 ARIA Awards (Australian Record Industry Association), being:- BEST AUSTRALIAN DEBUT SINGLE: "Fools and Ponies " BEST AUSTRALIAN DEBUT ALBUM: "Concrete Haystacks" BEST AUSTRALIAN ALBUM: "Concrete Haystacks " BEST AUSTRALIAN MALE ARTIST: Johnny Vanguard.
In 1997 Vanguard returned to the studio to record his second album “City Experiences” which was released in Australia in October. After an extensive 3 month tour headlining his own shows, 1997 saw Vanguard perform in front of 250,000 people in 1 month as special guest to Paul Simon on his Australian tour, Simon prasied Vanguard extensively, and the two duetted on 'Only a Fool'. 1997 was also the year that "City Experiences" was released in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia. In November 2005 Johnny toured Australia again, for a three week promotional tour.
It was at this time that some trouble emerged with his former band members, and Johnny was involved in legal proceedings. He moved to the US in 1999 and has toured through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with his band as special guests on the 'Rare Earth Tour' to fantastic reviews. 2005, and with the release of his album "Citizen Urban" toured Australia to please and rock the crowds once more.
From 2005 Vanguard released a string of successful albums including Metropolitan Forest (2007), Sunsets and Scrapheaps (2010) and his latest release, 2017s Highways and Hazards, went Number 1 on the ARIA charts yet again.
Vanguard has been on tour around the world again, and his shows are a constant highlight.
All this shows that Johnny Vanguard can definitely stand on his own when it comes to music. With a voice as smooth as honey and guitar playing that would satisfy everyone from blues enthusiasts to the hardest of rockers - Johnny Vanguard is here!
Johnny Vanguard - At a Glance.
Name: Johnny Vanguard (Real name: Jonathon Miles Van Guardia)
Date of Birth: 13th July 1966
Place of Birth: Charters Towers, North Quennsland
Father: Jasper "Jaz" Vanguard
Mother: Maru "Living Legend" Maudson
For more information please contact.
Penelope Beckton, National Publicity & Promotions Executive
Epic Media
