Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

John Springate

John Terrence Springate is an English singer, musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the bass player and sometimes lead singer of the Glitter Band.

Last revised
Jun 25, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
582 w
Citations
17
Source
Wikipedia ↗
John Springate
Born
John Terrence Springate

(1949-02-01) 1 February 1949
Kidbrooke, London, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
InstrumentBass guitar
Years active1970s–present
Labels
  • Handbag Music
  • Terrific
  • Towerbell
  • Sedition
  • Epic
Member of
Websitejohnspringate.com

John Terrence Springate (born 1 February 1949) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and record producer. He was the bass player and sometimes lead singer of the Glitter Band.


Career

1970s

In the early period of his career, John Springate played with Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon and Clem Curtis & The Foundations.12

Springate sang lead on the Glitter Band single "The Tears I Cried" which Gerry Shephard wrote. It was released in March 1975.3

With bandmate Gerry Shephard he co-wrote "Don't Make Promises (You Can't Keep)" for the band.

1980s to 1990s

Together with Mike Leander he produced "A Little Boogie Woogie (In the Back of My Mind)" which was recorded by Shakin' Stevens and released in 1987.45 He and Leander also co-produced Stevens' album Let's Boogie which was released the same year.6

He wrote and produced Kelly Wilde's single, "Nothing But Promises" which was released on BOLTS 15/7 in March, 1988.7 On the week of May 14, 1988, the record debuted in the HI-NRG chart at no. 47.8

Springate approached Nicki French about recording a version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart". She turned down his offer as she regarded the Bonnie Tyler version a classic. He managed to get her onside and produced the early version of the song. It was later recorded by Stock and Aitken.9

Daniel Amalm recorded his composition "Honey Dip"10 which became a hit for Amalm in 1997. It got to no. 88 on the UK chart.11

He produced "Let It Swing" / "Love in The 1st" for Sushi which was released on Branded BRAND 11 in 1998.1213 The song made its debut at no. 23 on the RM Pop Chart on the week of October 17.14

2000s

With Gerry Shephard, he wrote the song "Don't Play That Song Again" which was Nicki French's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000.15

Personal life

Springate married Lyn Barnes a 25 year old bank secretary in 1976.16. He later came out as gay in the early 1980s.17

References

References

  1. Pete Phipps - The Glitter Band, How It Started:
  2. A Breath of Fresh Air - Transcript: Transcript Glam Rock Pioneer: John Springate And The Unique Sound Of The Glitter Band, 3:23
  3. Record & Popswop Mirror, March 15, 1975 - Page 4 Glitter Band on the road, New single due as well
  4. Genuis - Who produced “A Little Boogie Woogie (In the Back of My Mind)” by Shakin' Stevens?
  5. Who Sampled - Cover Version, A Little Boogie Woogie (In the Back of My Mind) Shakin' Stevens
  6. 45Worlds - CD Album, Artist: Shakin' Stevens, Title: Let's Boogie
  7. 45Cat - Kelly (Wilde) Nothing But Promises
  8. James Hamilton's Disco Page, May 14, 1988 - HI-NRG, 47 — NOTHING BUT PROMISES Kelly, Bolts 12in
  9. Billboard, May 13, 1995 - Page 124 CHART BEAT by Fred Bronson Nicki's Total Eclipse Of The Chart
  10. Offizielle Deutsche Charts = JOHN SPINGATE TITEL-LISTE
  11. Official Charts - HONEY DIP by DANIEL AMALM
  12. Discogs - Sushi (6) – Let It Swing / Love In The First Degree
  13. Amazon - Let It Swing/Love in The 1st
  14. RM, October 17, 1998 - the POP CHART, THIS WEEK 23, NEW, LET IT SWING/LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE, Sushi
  15. Six on Stage - Don't Play That Song Again
  16. Record Mirror & Disc, April 3, 1976 - Page 4 Band of Gold
  17. https://bombshellradio.com/podcast/the-glitter-bands-john-springate-glam-rock-pioneer/
External links