Kevin Johnson - Journeys

Oleanders / You Never Know Your Luck (In A Big City) / Ev'ry Day / Paraguayan Sunset / Rollin' (All I've Ever Needed) / I Came To Somerset / The Next Plane To New Mexico / Love Knows Where To Find You / All Our Favourite Songs / The Comeback Trail


Johnson was born in Rockhampton, in northern Queensland. He began playing and singing at night and writing songs in his spare time while working at the Queensland Department of Main Roads. These songs eventually came to the notice of Col Joye, one of Australia's original rock stars, who signed Kevin to his publishing company. For the next couple of years, he wrote songs for singers on the Col Joye label (ATA). After a period of time in Brisbane, he relocated to Sydney and released several unsuccessful singles in the late 60's before securing his first hit with "Bonnie Please Don't Go" in 1971. Following this success he was signed by Tree International, a giant publishing company based in Nashville, Tennessee which enabled him to leave his day job and concentrate on writing. He returned to Brisbane and stayed there for a year writing songs. It was during this time that some of his most introspective songs, like "Shaney Boy" about his eldest son, Shane, "Iridescent Shadows", "Kedron Brook", and "Over The Hills and Far Away, were written.
 
After a year in Brisbane, he moved back to Sydney and continued to write songs for his forthcoming LP. One of these songs was "Rock and Roll I Gave You The Best Years of My Life". Kevin left Tree International and signed with a new Australian production company called Good Thyme, and immediately produced his first single for them, "Rock and Roll I Gave You The Best Years of My Life". This landmark song was picked up immediately for release in the USA and has since become a hit in almost every country in the world. Kevin's version was charted in the US, UK and many European countries. There have been to date scores of recorded versions by various artist around the world, with total sales in the many tens of millions.

Over the years Kevin has written and recorded a number of albums of original material, has headlined concerts, TV, in Europe Australia, and other countries, appeared in the Royal Command Performances before Prince Charles and Lady Diana and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and has had his work recognized with numerous awards. His songs have been recorded/played by many famous artists, such as Tom Jones, Roger Whittaker, Mac Davis, Terry Jacks, Val Doonican, Harry Chapin and Cliff Richard to name but a few.

Released in 1978, Journeys is Johnson's fourth album.