John Knowles - Biography

Interests
Interests include: The Noël Coward Society where I act as secretary plus editing their website and 'Home Chat' their newsletter.

I am attempting to write a book about the 3rd Earl of Lathom (Noël Coward's first patron)

I have also built websites for:

The Noël Coward Society - The website of the international Noël Coward Society. A celebration of everything Coward with news of show revivals and Coward events.

Must Close Saturday Records - an independent record company that specialises releasing music and performances from the golden age of British musical theatre.

The Noël Coward Estate - the home of Avantales NC the Estate of the Late Sir Noël Coward.

The Noël Coward Foundation - The home of the Noël Coward Foundation that provides funds for educational events, courses and activities that further the work of Coward.

The Lathom Park Trust - A Heritage Lottery funded trust that supports archeological and research activities at the historic village of Lathom, Lancashire.

Walthamstow Memories - A bulletin board for ex Walthamstow residents and those with an interest in the old Essex county borough.

Rob Jackson Fotos - A website dedicated to the work of the Norfolk photographer Rob Jackson.

Savoir Faire - a website about this Norfolk-based jazz guitar trio that play in the styloe of Django Reinhart and the Hot Club de France.

actor and singer David Hunter (in progress) and

Biography
So this is the ego bit where interests, passions, and the like are indulged:

Noël Coward
For some strange reason at the age of 21 I was introduced by my father-in-law to the music of Noël Coward. It stuck, even through the band playing 60s. His wonderful ability with words and his haunting refrains have stayed with me and resulted in a lifetime passion with this iconic Englishman. After nearly ten years working as a volunteer with the Noël Coward Society I am now working for the Coward Estate as a consultant on electronic publishing and still actively involved in the work of the Society.

Bands
I have played and sung with:
The Spartans, The Barristers, The Bill of Rights, The Oak St. Band, Zoot Suite, 4heads,
The Mojo Band and The Minnesota Soda Boys. The 4heads have recently got back together and are starting to play gigs again with a radically changed set of old as well as newer songs.

Collecting Guitars
The guitar collection consists of an early Patrick & Simon acoustic bought when they were largely handmade and still a favourite dreadnought friend; a 1930s Radiotone guitar that is the closest I have ever got to the guitar pictured above played by my grandmother - it is identical except for the resonator; a Richard Bartram 'D' hole maccaferri style guitar; two G&L guitars (one customised by Richard Bartram); a Yamaha fretless bass guitar and an Ernie Ball OPE five string bass guitar.