Real name John Griffith. Born in Ireland, but moved to South Africa as a child.
Met Jonathan Handley at Wits Medical school and they formed Slither.
Concerned that the South African Medical and Dental Council would strike them off the roll if they became famous they both changed their names! So they became Jon Roxi and John Ireland.
John Ireland pursued a solo career and Slither went on to become the Radio Rats.
John Ireland’s first single was a rendition of “Greensleeves” with words called “You’re living inside my head” which was released in 1978 along with the album Thinking Aloud (1978).
He went on to release several more singles including “I like” (1982) which received widespread radio play in South Africa. He released five more albums: Revelation (1980), John Ireland (1982), She Speaks To Me (1983), Just Desserts (1986) and Lonely Man (2004).