John D Hastings
About John D Hastings

About John D Hastings

My Dad, Richard and Mam, Olive added me to the family in August 1952. I weighed a whopping 14 lbs and unknown ounces as the baby scales only went up that far!

I went to Eston Infant School, then Eston Junior School. I was creative and sporty and at Eston County Modern School I played for the school football, cricket, basketball and table tennis teams.

School simply interrupted more important things in my life:

School simply interrupted the more important things in my life:

fishing, playing on Eston Hills and woods, building dens. My best friend Pete Rule and me would cycle to Ormesby station and catch a steam train to Glaisdale or Lealholm to fish on the River Esk. We took sandwiches and a bottle of pop and be out all day, coming home happy and hungry with a trout or grayling or two.

An apprenticeship with Head Wrightson in the shipbuilding industry followed when I left school at 16. I had started writing songs when I was about 15 and knew I was going to be a singer songwriter.

In my late teens

In my late teens

I joined Andy from Middlesbrough in a duo called Aces High. My singing skills evolved as we did the working men’s clubs and pubs, and I developed a thick skin from hecklers. The appreciation and applause were always far louder, giving me a real buzz from performing.

After going separate ways, I joined another band with three other local lads as lead singer and rhythm guitarist. We did the music circuit in North Yorkshire singing pop and rock covers. When we swapped to singing my songs the act caused a storm at gigs: The Stilettos were born!

As featured in the podcasts above:

The exciting new versions of "Game Of Life" (Interview One), "This Is The Way" and "Who Can It Be?" (Interview Two).

Please remember when you buy and download from my website, you support my music by enabling me to create even more songs for you. It's a Win Win!

These podcasts will describe my inspirations and goals as a singer songwriter in the "new music industry". Let's share the challenges and wins together. As my fans, I appreciate you and need your support. So it's very much our journey and we're on a rocky road together as I know the pandemic has hit every one hard.

Other singer songwriters, musicians and music industry bods will contribute their thoughts and feelings about music. Come back for those podcasts or email me about the type of podcasts you would like to listen to. I welcome your comments too!

Global Day for Climate Justice

When It's Gone