Jon Lukas

Jon Lukas in 1971 and in 2017

Jon Lukas, with the stage name Woodenman (born 11 September 1948), is a Maltese musician from Paola, Malta. He was the first solo artist in Maltese music history to achieve a successful foreign pop chart placer in a number of non-native countries and to obtain a major global record company by signing.^[1]

Career

Jon’s record “Can’t Afford To Lose”, composed by Gary Benson, released in 1970, became an international hit.^[2] “Apart from making it to the Top 40 charts in the UK and some other European territories, “Can't Afford To Lose” occupied the top place in the pop charts in Lebanon for a full month, holding back The Beatles' “The Long and Winding Road from reaching the No.1 spot.”^[1]

In 1993, Jon, accompanied by Marita, placed second in that year's Malta Song Festival with his own composition “Żommni u Għannaqni”. This was the first time that Jon sang in his native Maltese language. The English version of this song, entitled “The Love We Share”, was produced by Indian-British music producer Biddu.^[1]

In 1998, Jon formed the band “Woodenman”. They recorded an album which topped the “Peoplesound” charts throughout August 1992”. They had gigs in Barcelona and Madrid.^[3] When they disbanded, Jon incorporated the band's name and became known as Jon Lukas Woodenman.

On 15 April 2009 Jon started off a radio programme entitled “Woodenman’s Jukebox” on Malta’s One Radio. This programme is still being transmitted on U.K. s Channel Radio.

In the summer of 2008, Marc Storace of Krokus paid tribute to Jon's 'Can't Afford to Lose'. During his concert, on the island of Gozo, Jon surprised the audience as he emerged to sing the last half of the song in duet with him.^[4]

Discography

References