Biography
Born John Stanley Watts on 31 August 1922 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, the singer, actor and producer died on 4 December 1998 in Shepperton, Surrey, England. His family relocated to Britain in 1925, after which he grew up in Dumfries, Scotland. As a boy soprano he performed in the local choir and made several broadcasts during the early 1930s. Following his schooling he worked as a production engineer until his professional stage debut in 1946, when he appeared in Night Of A Thousand Stars in Birmingham. Adopting his mother’s maiden name of Hanson, he first gained recognition through radio shows such as Songs From The Shows, performing with the orchestras led by Geraldo, Mantovani and Troise And His Mandoliers. He became a familiar voice on Friday Night Is Music Night, Fred Hartleys’ Hour and Ray’s A Laugh. Mantovani provided Hanson’s initial television break, which led to his own programme, John Hanson Sings, opened each week by his composition ‘A Song Of Romance’.
From 1957 onward he mounted and starred in touring revivals of earlier romantic musicals. The part of the Red Shadow in The Desert Song became closely identified with him, and the productions that followed included The Student Prince, The Vagabond King, Lilac Time, Rose Marie and The Maid Of The Mountains. Even as the beat boom swept Britain, Hanson—by then described as “the last of the matinee idols”—continued to deliver nostalgic entertainment to enthusiastic audiences across the country. In 1965 he took the lead in The World Of Ivor Novello; the following year he appeared in When You’re Young, originally titled Smilin’ Through, for which he supplied the book, music and lyrics. His West End debut came in 1967 with The Desert Song, quickly followed by The Student Prince; both productions moved to Blackpool for summer seasons in 1969 and 1970. At the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1972 he portrayed John Carteret in his own version of Smilin’ Through. Subsequent tours featured Lilac Time, Rose Marie, The Dancing Years and Glamorous Night. After producing and directing a final touring edition of The Desert Song in 1976–77, he concentrated on concerts and summer seasons, remaining active until ill health compelled his retirement in the mid-1980s.
From 1957 onward he mounted and starred in touring revivals of earlier romantic musicals. The part of the Red Shadow in The Desert Song became closely identified with him, and the productions that followed included The Student Prince, The Vagabond King, Lilac Time, Rose Marie and The Maid Of The Mountains. Even as the beat boom swept Britain, Hanson—by then described as “the last of the matinee idols”—continued to deliver nostalgic entertainment to enthusiastic audiences across the country. In 1965 he took the lead in The World Of Ivor Novello; the following year he appeared in When You’re Young, originally titled Smilin’ Through, for which he supplied the book, music and lyrics. His West End debut came in 1967 with The Desert Song, quickly followed by The Student Prince; both productions moved to Blackpool for summer seasons in 1969 and 1970. At the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1972 he portrayed John Carteret in his own version of Smilin’ Through. Subsequent tours featured Lilac Time, Rose Marie, The Dancing Years and Glamorous Night. After producing and directing a final touring edition of The Desert Song in 1976–77, he concentrated on concerts and summer seasons, remaining active until ill health compelled his retirement in the mid-1980s.
Albums
Singles
