A special feature is broadcast in the first hour of ‘Assume The Position’, presented by David Randall on Sunday 28 February on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. The sequence is repeated on Friday 4 March at 22:00 or you can listen in via Mixcloud (link below)

In this interview edit, with bonus material not included in the feature, Clark Datchler chats about Johnny Hates Jazz in the eighties and beyond, his own solo albums, and getting back to the live format with UK dates scheduled for 28 February-25 March. (11:54)

Eighties electro-popsters Johnny Hates Jazz play rare dates in March, following the success of their current album ‘Magnetized’, which gathered much attention after its release in 2013.

Back in 1987 the band were catapulted to success with the release of their single ‘Shattered Dreams’ on Virgin Records. It became a top 5 hit worldwide, reaching number 2 in the USA and Japan.

‘Shattered Dreams’ was followed by other hits including the anti-war anthem ‘I Don’t Want To Be A Hero’, ‘Turn Back The Clock’ (featuring Kim Wilde) and ‘Heart Of Gold’.

Their album ‘Turn Back The Clock’ entered the UK charts at number 1, going double-platinum and selling 4 million copies in the process. It is arguably one of the definitive albums of the 1980′s, and is one of only two debut albums released by Virgin Records that immediately went to the top of the charts upon its release — the other being ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ by The Sex Pistols.

The band went their separate ways shortly afterwards, deciding to focus on other musical projects instead. In fact, over the next 20 years, they completely lost contact with one and other.

However in 2010, original members Clark Datchler (lead singer/songwriter/keyboard player) and Mike Nocito (producer/engineer/guitarist) decided to come back together to write, record and produce a brand new Johnny Hates Jazz album for the modern era. At the same time, they began to perform live at international festivals.

The “comeback” album, titled ‘Magnetized’, was completed and released in 2013. The title track was quickly A-listed and became a huge radio hit in both the UK and Germany. Unfortunately, Clark was diagnosed with a serious illness soon after, and all promotion came to an abrupt halt.

By early 2014, he had made a full recovery and JHJ began to perform again at festivals in Europe and Asia. Since then, the band have been working on various studio projects, while Clark has been co-writing the new Mike and The Mechanics album with Mike Rutherford.

Tour Dates:

28 February – Butlins, Minehead
3 March – The Stables, Milton Keynes
4 March – Darwen Library Theatre, Blackburn
6 March – The Robin 2, Wolverhampton
17 March – Concorde Club, Eastleigh
18 March – Hippodrome, London
24 March – Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
25 March – Howden Park Centre, Livingston

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 16 November 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This 600th show was first broadcast on 18 November 2025

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Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

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