Johnnie Spence

[Carl Shields]

Hello All,

Does anyone have biographical information on Johnnie Spence?
I know absolutely nothing about the man, except that he was (is) an incredible artist.

Thanks.
-Carl

[Guest]

i don't know much , but like you i am a big fan. johnnie was probably best known for his association with tom jones as his musical director in the late 60's. apart from his great work with matt, bassey and jones, he was involved in other t.v and film projects.
in my humble opinion he was for a short time in the 60's the best arranger that britain had, and with his use of the finest british session musicians really rivalled the best work of richard wess and billy may etc. in the usa.
now surprise, surprise><, it seems from what other musicians have told me that johnnie had a problem with drink which was bad enough to adversely affect his career , but don't quote me on it.
johhnie was able to arrange for all kinds of moods, but its as a hard swingin' orchestrator that his work will mostly remain listened to in future.

[grandpajan]

I looked Johnnie Spence up on the Internet. Apparently, he died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California USA, in 1977. Yes, he did some fine arrangements for Matt Monro and others.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Johnnie Spence did arrangements for three songs on Ella Fitzgerald's Hello Dolly album "People" " Can't Buy Me Love" and "The Sweetest Sounds".
He also did arrangements for Jazz singer Annie Ross in the early Sixties.
Rolf Harris first wrote the words and music for "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" in 1957 and Johnny Spence was the arranger for the release in the uk in 1963, although not a lot of people would want to know that.