John Wesley Harding (singer)

: For entries on other people named John Wesley, see John Wesley (disambiguation).

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John Wesley Harding (b. 22 October 1965) is a folk/pop singer-songwriter who has called his style of music "folk noir" and "gangsta folk".

Related Topics:
22 October - 1965 - Folk

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He was born Wesley Harding Stace in Hastings, East Sussex, England. His given name, Wesley, comes from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who preached one of his last sermons in the town where Harding was born. His stage name may be seen as an almost inevitable nickname for a folk-pop musician, in that his first and middle name overlap with the Bob Dylan album (and song) "John Wesley Harding".

Related Topics:
Hastings - East Sussex - England - John Wesley - Methodism - Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding

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The name is coincidental; Harding's birth preceded the album's release by two years. The American gunfighting historical figure John Wesley Hardin was largely forgotten before 1965, when Johnny Cash wrote and recorded the song "Hardin Wouldn't Run".

Related Topics:
American - Gunfighting - John Wesley Hardin - 1965 - Johnny Cash

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His education included the boarding schools St. Andrews School (Pangbourne, Berkshire); Milbourne Lodge (Claygate, Surrey); The King's School (Canterbury, Kent); and university at Jesus College, Cambridge. He left Cambridge before earning his Ph.d. in Humanities.

Related Topics:
Boarding schools - Pangbourne - Berkshire - Milbourne Lodge - Claygate - Surrey - Canterbury - Kent - Jesus College - Cambridge

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He has been dogged by comparisons to Elvis Costello which probably was fueled, in part, by two members of his early band (Pete and Bruce Thomas) having been members of The Attractions.

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Influences on him include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Davies, and Phil Ochs.

Related Topics:
Bob Dylan - Bruce Springsteen - Ray Davies - Phil Ochs

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His writings include chapbooks for some of his albums, and essays for various music publications from Creem to Raygun. His essay "Listerine: The Life And Opinions Of Laurence Sterne", published in Post Road #5, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Related Topics:
Creem - Raygun - Pushcart Prize

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In 2004, he published his first novel, Misfortune, under the name Wesley Stace.

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Since 1991, Harding has lived in the United States, most recently in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Related Topics:
1991 - United States - Brooklyn

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