Don Fardon

Donald Maughn came into the world on 19 August 1943 in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Serving as lead singer for the Sorrows, he appeared on the group’s most enduring cult recording, the pulsating single ‘Take A Heart’. That track reached number 21 in September 1965, and its hypnotic, throbbing rhythm carried over to later releases, several of which Maughn helped write. For those recordings he adopted the surname Fardon, a choice he maintained once his solo career began. His interpretation of John D. Loudermilk’s ‘(The Lament Of The Cherokee) Indian Reservation’ became his sole US hit, climbing into the Top 20 during 1968. In 1970 he entered the UK Top 40 with ‘Belfast Boy’, a tribute to the gifted yet troubled Northern Irish footballer George Best. That success prompted a reissue of ‘Indian Reservation’, which rose to number 3 and stood out among the year’s most memorable chart records. Although he issued additional material in the early 70s, including reworkings of earlier Sorrows songs, Fardon never repeated that level of consistent achievement. He subsequently entered the licensing business, managing pubs in Coventry and Eathorpe, while maintaining a presence on the cabaret and country circuits. Later he assisted in operating a security company that protected pop performers. In December 2005 Fardon rereleased ‘Belfast Boy’ to mark the recent passing of George Best.