Happy Birthday, John Barrowman!

On this day in 1967, the world was given an exceptional performer, and an amazing man. John Barrowman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but the family moved to Illinois when he was 8 years old, where he eventually became a naturalized citizen, and still maintains a dual citizenship with the US and Great Britain. I've had a crush on John Barrowman for a long time, and all I can say is that it seems to get stronger as time goes on. I first remember hearing about a new tenor on stage, information I enjoyed as a musical theater geek. He had gotten stellar reviews for his role in Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes' on London's West End, the first of many. I first knew of him when he was one of the stars in 'Putting It Together', a musical review featuring music from several Stephen Sonheim shows. It also starred Carol Burnett, George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, and Bronson Pinchot. I have the DVD. Handsome, with a great voice, I knew I was a fan for life after that.

I was also thrilled to hear not only was Barrowman and out and proud gay man, he was also willing to be a man who stood up for himself and others as an activist pushing for equality. John has been happily partnered with husband Scott Gill, who also happens to be gorgeous as well. I say partnered, for they entered into a civil partnership in December 2006, as marrying wasn't available to them. He has been open and honest about his sexuality, making it easier for those who come after him. He has not let anything stand in the way of doing a great job, whether it be on stage, screen, or album. And speaking of music, in 2008 he had a great album named 'Music Music Music', a combination of new material and cover songs. One of the new songs was "What About Us?", written by Gary Barlow and Chris Raide. It is a wonderful song, but the music video was quite amazing, featuring both same sex and opposite sex couples. This is the official music video for John Barrowman's ""What About Us?".

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When I heard about Barowman's performance on a British game show named 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks', I had to search it out. Luckily, many of the episodes can be found on YouTube, and it not only made me laugh often, it also introduced me to a new favorite, comedian/actor/host Simon Amstell. Amstell, perhaps best known as a stand up comedian, is also an out gay man, and the two had a hysterical exchange on the program. It was so good, I had to check out Amstell, and I know have a DVD, 'Do Nothing', as well as watched his very funny TV show, 'Grandma's House'. But this clip also made me literally laugh out loud as the do men did their thing on the BBC. This is Simon Amstell and John Barrowman in a 'gay off' on 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks'.

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One of the cover songs that were a part of 'Music Music Music' was a song from the musical 'Chess', with lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, best known for their work in ABBA. The song is sung in the show by a chess master's wife and his mistress, and the struggle relationships can be. John included it on the album, and kept the duet by inviting another handsome and talented man to join him, Daniel Boys. I had discovered Daniel on the BBC program 'Any Dream Will Do', which I watched to see Barrowman, who was a judge/mentor as the show searched for the new leading man in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of 'Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Daniel has been featured several times on this blog, and I owe it all to Mr Barrowman once again. When John went on tour, he often sang the song, and had Daniel join him. This is a clip of John Barrowman and Daniel Boys singing "I Know Him So Well" at the 2008 Faenol Festival.

I have followed John career, including his wonderful time on 'Doctor Who', as well as the exceptional spin-off, 'Torchwood'. His work as the omni-sexual Captain Jack was glorious. His stint on the recent hit 'Arrow' made me realize how much I loved having him on my television screen. As part of a 'Torchwood' DVD, the producers included a clip of John singing "Anything Goes", a song by Cole Porter from the musical of the same name. There is John, looking all handsome in his Captain Jack finery, and singing a song he knew well from his first hit on London's West End. It is impossible to resist him, but then again, I find it always is. This is John Barrowman singing "Anything Goes" from the 'Torchwood' DVD.

For more about John Barrowman, you can visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can't find 'Music Music Music' in the United States - I guess there are song rights issues. However, you can find one of my very favorite albums from John, 'John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter', on iTunes and Amazon. You can also find 'Tonight's the Night: The Very Best of John Barrowman' avaialbe as an import CD on Amazon.

Friday Night Party for John Barrowman!

Today I celebrate the birthday of one of the real heroes out there, John Barrowman. He is a hero to me for several reasons, one of which is just being a talented man out there plying his trades, and managing to make a living. Another is for being unashamedly queer long before it was cool, and stand up for the rights of others. Third, he turns 44 today, and I can't tell you how thrilling it is to see someone handsome and sexy working on television who is not in their 20s. See, some of us older guys still got it, although I would readily admit Barrowman has more than most...



So, I thought I would remind everyone the ultimate sex machine, Captain Jack Harkness is also a talented singer! Like here, where he sings One Night Only from Dreamgirls.



To keep the party going, Barrowman went on the Jonathan Ross Show, and did a stirring version of Barry Manilow's Copacobana.



And, of course, there is the delectable sandwich I would love to be the cheese on, with John and my lovely Daniel Boys. What I wouldn't give to see these boys performing live, but for now, at least, I will have to settle for a DVD. Here they are singing I Know So Well, from the musical Chess. Several times during this performance, they give me chills!



And a while ago, I found a video of him singing Man, I Feel Like A Woman and it just made me happy!



So, Happy Birthday, John Barrowman. I've bought the book, the DVDs, the albums, now if I could only get a ticket!

Worth Another Listen - Chess (1984)

In 1984, the concept album for the musical Chess was released. The musical had lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA. Prior to the first production ever being mounted, Murray Head, Tommy Körberg, Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson sang the leads, all big names on the stage, both London's West End and Broadway. The musical was a story about the cold war, depicted by the struggle between American and Russian chess champions. It features the KGB, love affairs, broke hearts, and evil capitalists, who could ask for more? Well, how about hit songs before the theater is even rented?

It starts with Murray Head and One Night In Bangkok. As unlikely as it sounds, and far ahead of it's time, the song from the stage musical features rapping and Eastern-flavored music, and is written by a Brit and two Swedes. And it topped the charts worldwide, including scoring #3 on the charts in the US and Canada.



The ladies were not about to be overshadowed, and for one month held the number one spot on the UK charts with I Know Him So Well. I still is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest selling single by a female duo.



The song is sung by the wife and the mistress of the Russian champion, both ladies contemplating their relationship with the man.



Interestingly enough, despite the success of these singles, and success on London's West End run for three years, the Broadway production went through extensive reworking that still only got them 2 months and some mixed reviews. There are still rumors floating around that Chess will be returning to Broadway with Josh Groban in the lead. If that happens, I will so be there!