John Clinton

John Clinton Collection

John Clinton

John Noel Clinton was born in Christchurch on February 21st, 1948.  He is a largely self-taught drummer, but is also a very competent guitarist, and he has his own distinctive vocal style.  He has been a musician from an early age.  John was with The Detours during their formative years, and despite his parents moving north to Wanganui, he eventually returned to re-claim the drum stool in late 1965.  Having spent most of his adult life in Australia, it is no surprise that John is now with another very successful group  —  the multi-award-winning Wolverines..

The Wolverines are a bunch of "likeable rogues", and seasoned performers, who have combined to produce an act that is uniquely visual, extremely musical and totally entertaining.  Their first two albums GONNA RIDE ALL NIGHT LONG and FEEL THE NEED TO RIDE were both recorded in Nashville Tennessee, and are still selling well on the ABC Music Label.  These have been followed up with another four albums and a long-awaited DVD.  A Wolverines show is truly an experience ..... ardent supporters would say, it's simple ..... it's Wolverines Music, others might say that Rock 'n' Country probably comes closest, but the music ranges widely, from Kick-ass Texas Boogie through to soft, bluesy ballads - not to mention treatments of some of the best-known retro-classics and the sometimes less-than-tactful alternatives to a few of the most revered Aussie classics.  The Wolverines don't hide in dressing rooms out back stroking their egos and getting up dutch courage - NO WAY!! - when they are not actually on stage, they are meeting, greeting and getting to know their audience on an individual level ..... The Wolverines are renowned for their genuine friendliness.  Looks can be deceiving ..... originally branded The Bad Boys of Country (could that have been because of their 'feral corporate' style of dressing, or their inexperience on the electric shaver front, or was it their penchant for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles ??).  These guys have proven themselves to be among the Music Industry's most generous supporters of childrens' charities ..... and the kids love 'em.

Holy Cow is John and Kim Clinton's yacht which is a common site around Rushcutters' Bay in Sydney Harbour.  The Clintons have operated their charter and corporate hosting business for many years out of their Cruising Club of Australia mooring at Rushcutters'.  Holy Cow also has a regular presence in The Whitsunday Islands for race week at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.  The boat is also a frequent visitor to Melbourne and Hobart.

John created an "eco-friendly" dwelling at Dural, just out of Sydney.  The house had many distinctive features, not the least of which being the avant-garde bathroom-wall mural painted over two months by Ken Roberts.  The mural features many famous film and musical personalities, including Jack Nicholson, Marilyn Monroe, The Blues Brothers, Groucho Marx, Elton John and Elvis Presley - amongst a raft of others.

Recently the band has been through some major changes with Chris Doyle departing and Darcy having major surgery.  Now embelished and reconstituted with dedicated bass and keyboards players, the group has weathered the COVID-19 storm and is set to start working again in Tamworth (April 2020).

The new-look Wolverines ....

The new-look Wolverines ....

The Wolverines back at The Longyard, Tamworth (April 2022) ....

The Wolverines back at The Longyard, Tamworth (April 2022) ....

Additional John Clinton information is available on the Official Wolverines as well as Johnny Campbell and The Detours websites .....

www.wolverines.com.au   º    www.johnnycampbell.co.nz/main.html#dances