'70s, '80s chart-busting legend John Ford Coley at Castle on Charles April 28

John Ford Coley (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Many may not recognize his name, but when they hear and instantly recognize any of John Ford Coley's triple-platinum hits they surely get a smile. \

His duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley, were household names through the '70s and '80s, with smash top-10 hits that still get a lot of airtime on the radio, including "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," "Nights are Forever," "Love is the Answer" and "We'll never have to say goodbye tonight."
Coley recorded 13 albums, many of them gold and triple-platinum. A Grammy Award nominated singer, songwriter, classically trained pianist, guitarist, and actor, Coley has written the book on music performing - literally - with his book Back Stage Pass, a memoir of decades in the music business, traveling cross country, across Europe and throughout Asia.

On Saturday, April 28, John Ford Coley comes to New Hampshire to perform an intimate concert at the historic Castle on Charles, promising to play his familiar songs about 85 percent of the evening, along with some new songs from his recent album "Eclectic."

In an interview while he was on the road last week near Nashville, Tenn., Coley spoke about his career and his passion for music.

"I'm an old cowboy, raised on horses," he said. "I like to tell a lot of stories and jokes. But my music is from my heart. If music doesn't have heart, it has nothing."

Coley said music is now often technically correct, but without heart. Coley would prefer it the other way around.

"I love Neal Young and Bob Dylan - they couldn't hold a note with a sawed-off shotgun, but I could listen to those guys all day long," he said. "They had heart. The same with Bruce Springsteen. When he sings, he draws you right in."

Apparently, Coley's fans know that he has heart as well, with many big names recruiting Coley to tour and perform with them over the years, including Elton John, Cher, Joni Mitchell, Bread, Three Dog Night, Carol King, Orleans, Chicago, and Fleetwood Mac.

Coley's brand of soft, romantic music had many influences.

"I grew up in Texas listening to and learning jazz music, classical, opera, show tunes, doo-wop and church music," he said. "It was romantic. You hear those songs, you gotta feel something - it fills a spot deep inside. You play those old church hymns and it drops me to my knees in a heartbeat. Those songs had so much heart and soul."

Coley spent 15 years writing songs and performing with his friend and partner from high school, Dan Seals, who was known as England Dan. They were inspired by the Beach Boys. Together they made history and 10 albums.

"I don't believe songs are written," said Coley. "They are discovered. I've tried and tried to write certain songs, but nothing emerged, then later on, the song might just come to me. Sometimes it takes a while for a story to come to you, for you to discover it, within yourself. I don't just sit down and say 'I'm going to write a song.' I just start a song and go with it. You can't just want to make money out of it, you have to have a deep personal need."

Coley slowed down before Seal's death, but from his home bases in Charleston and Nashville, still averages about 40 performances a year across the globe, playing both guitar and piano at most shows. He just recently returned from an Asian tour, where he has made more than 30 trips over the years, performing to crowds crazy about him. Coley described playing a song called "Just tell me you love me" which was also from a film he made, to a crowd in the Philippines.

"The audience knew it so well they were singing it louder than me with speakers, they knew every word. Every schoolchild knew that song," he said.

This will be Coley's return trip to New Hampshire. He came once decades ago, to Manchester, for a performance at what he believes was The Palace Theatre, and fondly remembers the people of New Hampshire.

"I remember thinking New Hampshire would be something like Boston, but I found it more to be like the hospitality of Alabama. I remember everyone so unbelievably, incredibly nice. Seriously."

A student of history and art, Coley said he is greatly looking forward to performing in the historic Castle on Charles in Rochester, and staying at The Governor's Inn. "There's something in the walls in historic buildings - you can feel it, and the music feels it."

The John Ford Coley concert at The Castle on Charles is on Saturday, April 28. Doors open at 6 p.m. to the Tavern for drinks and a small menu available including a cheese board, salad, and a hearty bowl of beef stew over rice. The show is 7:30-10 p.m. Opening act by singer-songwriter Chris Bonoli. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25, available at www.CastleNH.com.

(Herman Ejarque is the owner/proprietor of the Castle on Charles.)