John “Swanee” Swan
About John Swan
John Swan, more commonly known as Swanee, was born John Archibold Dixon Swan in 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland. He came to Australia with his family in 1961 and is the only one of his siblings to keep his natural fathers surname. He is the older brother of Jimmy Barnes and the uncle of David Campbell.
Brief History
Swanee started his musical career as a drummer in the band Happiness before moving on to other bands such as Fraternity, Feather and Cold Chisel. He branched out on his own, under the name Swanee, in 1979, releasing the album “Into The Night”. His first commercial hit was in 1981 with his version of “If I Were A Carpenter” off the album “This Time Is Different” which featured two other hits, “Temporary Heartache” and “Lady What’s Your Name”
In 1987 he replaced angry Anderson as lead singer in Paul Christie’s “Party Boys” where he had another hit with “He’s Gonna Step on You Again” and then “Hold Your Head Up”. He left the band around 1989 to again pursue a solo career that still persists today.
Videos
Recordings
as Swanee (albums):
- Into the Night – 1980
- This Time is Different – 1982
- Ready for Action – 1983
- Days Gone By – 1984
- Bushido – 1985
- Heart and Soul – 1997
as John Swan
- It Could Have Been You (single) – 1985
- You’ll Do Something (single) – 1985
- Angel (single) – 1986
- Have a Little Faith – 2007
with The Party Boys
- He’s Gonna Step On You Again (single) – 1987
- The Party Boys – 1987
- Hold Your Head Up (single) – 1987
- Gloria (single) – 1988)
Other Resources
Known Gigs
1979
February
- Riverwood Hotel, Riverwood
March
- with Supernaut, Midnight OilComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown
- Civic Hotel, Sydney
May
- with Cheetah, Norman Gunston, G-ForceBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction
- with Midnight Oil, Gillian Eastoe & King Dog, Rose Tattoo, Ward 13, The Radiators, Supernaut, Mental As AnythingBondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction
September
- with Stockade, Matt FinishSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- with Split Enz, Midnight Oil, Mi-Sex, Jimmy And The Boys, Loaded DiceCastle Hill Showground, Castle Hill
November
- Railway Hotel, Liverpool
- Family Inn, Rydalmere
- War and Peace, Parramatta
- Padstow Park Hotel, Padstow
- Sturt CAE, Adelaide
- with Loaded DiceRaffles Hotel, Applecross
- with Loaded DiceDianella Hotel, Dianella
- City Hotel, Perth
December
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania
1980
January
- with The Lonely HeartsFamily Inn, Rydalmere
+ Bon Scott & Jimmy Barneswith Bon Scott, Jimmy Barnes and The Lonely Hearts
- with The ClonesJolly Frog Hotel, Windsor
February
- Civic Hotel, Sydney
- Selina's - Coogee Bay Hotel, Coogee
March
- with Matt Finish, Radioactive, RadioactiveFamily Inn, Rydalmere
- Highway Hotel, Wentworthville
- Sylvania Hotel, Sylvania
April
- with Icehouse (formerly Flowers), INXS, Icehouse (formerly Flowers)Stagedoor Tavern, Sydney
+ Flowers & INXS
October
- with BoysComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown
November
- with Handsoff, BoysSylvania Hotel, Sylvania
- Bexley North Hotel, Bexley North
+ The Boys
1981
January
- with Damaged GoodsComb and Cutter Hotel, Blacktown
- with Street LevelRoyal Antler Hotel, Narrabeen
February
October
- with Total Fire Band, The BushwackersTanelorn Music Festival, Stroud
November
1982
March
- Florida Hotel, Terrigal
- Astrodome, Traralgon
- Chasers Nightclub, South Yarra
April
- Waltzing Matilda Hotel, Springvale
- with Kevin Borich ExpressChevron Hotel, Melbourne
- Croxton Park Hotel, Thornbury
July
- Ocean Grove Hotel, Ocean Grove
- Sandown Park Hotel, Noble Park
- Pier Hotel, Frankston
- Commodore Hotel, Sandringham
- Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
- with HeavenBombay Rock, Brunswick
October
- with The Runners, The Little Heroes, The AngelsSidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
December
- with Wendy and The Rocketts, Matt Taylor BandHells Angels Club, Broadford
- with Bel AiresBayview Tavern, Gladesville
1983
January
- with Cocky LauraCaringbah Inn, Caringbah
- with Cocky Laura, Diamond CutterSydney Cove Tavern, Circular Quay
May
- Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown
- with Deckchairs Overboard, Matt Finish, Midnight OilPenrith Park, Penrith
July
- with Kevin Borich ExpressGreenfield Tavern, Greenfield Park
- with Broderick Smith BandCaringbah Inn, Caringbah
- with Kevin Borich ExpressBluegum Hotel, Waitara
- Penrith Leagues Club, Penrith
- with Cold Chisel, Tailor MadeBombay Rock, Brunswick
August
- Club Chevron, Melbourne
- with Cold ChiselTarmac Hotel, Laverton
September
- with Full MarksBankstown Sports Club, Bankstown
- Blacktown RSL, Blacktown
November
- Blacktown RSL, Blacktown
1984
January
- with Mad GorillaSt James Tavern, Sydney
June
- with Vicky O'Keefe BandDavistown RSL Club, Davistown
- Balmain Leagues Club, Balmain
October
- Balmain Leagues Club, Balmain
1985
August
December
- with The GameShellharbour Workers Club, Shellharbour
1986
March
- with Shy BoysStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
May
- Fairfield RSL, Fairfield
June
- with Woodstock, Moving PicturesStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
September
- with The Radiators, The Party Boys, Der StrazaStardust Hotel aka Sweethearts, Cabramatta
October
- The Venue, St Kilda
- with BandannaHells Angels Concert , Ponde
1987
February
- Sydney Cove Tavern, Circular Quay
1999
June
- with Lie Detectors, Mandrake, The Zarsoff Brothers, The Radiators, Outline, Dee Minor and The Dischords, Spy Vs Spy, Matt Finish, ChoirboysBlacktown RSL, Blacktown
The Boys Are Back In Town show.Choirboys + Matt Finish + Spy Vs Spy + Dee Minor & The Dischords + Outline + The Radiators + Swanee + Zarsoff Bros + Mandrake + Lie Detectors
2013
January
- Smithfield RSL Club, Smithfield
[…] sick that day and his place was taken by ex Daddy Cool drummer, Gary Young. You will also find John Swan standing side stage. At the end of the show I managed to talk my way backstage […]
[…] Swanee […]
hello john trying to contact you through your e.mail please e.mail me as I need to
speak to you.The band I played was Tailor Made please contact me thx. regards
matey JC
Hi John and Virginia, hope all is good with you both. Think of you often and hope
to see you again one day as you were the best neighbours.
Love Jenny, Ross,Matt,Beau and Nick (Tamborine Mt.)
[…] Swanee […]
Hi
I am one of your Auntie Gretta daughter in laws, she just turned 80 we had a celebration in a restuarant in Princes square Glasgow and she looked so regal . Auntie Pat sent a card. I know she misses all her brothers and sisiters we all know your Dad as Uncle Jim or Gentleman Jim the boxer it would be lovely to get in touch.
April ( Graemes wife)
Love to get to kno w you guys
Loved my dad More than life itself
Hi April,
You don’t know me but I’m searching my family history and I’m curious to know if Uncle Jim or Gentleman Jim as you called James, had a sister by the name of Lily Swan?
I look forward to hearing from you. My email address is: amandasan@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Amanda
[…] to go and film/photograph there and also to film all the musicians I grew up seeing, including John Swan. I sent a friends request to John on face book and then asked could I film, telling him I […]
[…] sick that day and his place was taken by ex Daddy Cool drummer, Gary Young. You will also find John Swan standing side stage. At the end of the show I managed to talk my way backstage […]
23\7\16 Seen you play at Barooga sporties what night to bring back memories loved it loved it loved it hanks for the night
Hi John, enjoyed working with you, hope you are in good health and enjoying life!
[…] Swanee […]
[…] of note e.g. “Lady What’s Your Name” & “Temporary Heartache” for Swanee). Although Alan Mansfield was the obvious choice, he had taken up an offer to join Dragon as a […]
[…] The Reels, Laughing Clowns, The Elks, Lime Spiders, The Riptides, D-Minor and the Dischords, Swanee, Moving Pictures, Richard Clapton, Dynamic Hepnotics, Russell Morris, Lonely Hearts, Old 55, boy […]
Saw John twice in concert. My own opinion is that he was a cut above Jimmy. Jimmy could sing but John had a voice. To this day I can still see him pumping out ‘River Deep Mountain High’. I thought he was going to blow the roof off.