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Iconic 80’s band Johnny Hates Jazz have announced they will be performing live throughout 2027 as they bring “The Shattered Dreams Tour” to the UK and mainland Europe. Celebrating 40 years since the release of their seminal global hit, they will draw on their extensive catalogue to create a new show full of unforgettable songs, emotive stories, energetic performances and an uplifting audience experience.
To accompany the tour, JHJ will also be releasing a “Shattered Dreams” compilation album, which will be available on Revolver Records as a double vinyl edition, as well as on CD. This will be a compilation of their most well known songs from the late 80s through to the present, and will include four brand new tracks.
Johnny Hates Jazz, comprising Clark Datchler (songwriting, vocals, keyboards) and Mike Nocito (production, engineering, bass guitar), achieved prominence in the late 1980s with a string of hits, the most well-known being “Shattered Dreams”. Released in March 1987, the song reached top 5 in the UK, mainland Europe, Asia, and secured the second position in Japan. This was followed by global successes like the anti-war anthem “I Don’t Want To Be A Hero,” “Turn Back The Clock” (featuring Kim Wilde), “Heart Of Gold” and “Don’t Say It’s Love.” In 1988, “Shattered Dreams” reached number 2 on the US Billboard chart and topped the US Adult Contemporary chart. That same year, the album “Turn Back The Clock” entered the UK charts at number 1, selling over four million copies and achieving triple-platinum status.
After parting ways at their peak and not speaking for over 20 years, Johnny Hates Jazz reunited in 2010 and released the album “Magnetized” in 2013, the title track becoming an instant radio hit in the UK. However, Clark was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer shortly afterwards and all promotion came to a halt. He eventually made a full recovery, and the band turned their attention to live performing in the following years.
In 2018, JHJ marked the 30th Anniversary of “Turn Back The Clock” with a special edition featuring new acoustic versions of every song on the album. Their 2020 release, “Wide Awake,” drew on inspiration from their musical roots in the 1970s. In addition, Clark co-wrote many new songs for Mike and The Mechanics with Genesis legend Mike Rutherford, and continues to work with him on various projects. In 2021, they were special guests of Level 42 on their “From Eternity To Here” UK tour, performing the length and breadth of the country. This preceded numerous festival appearances at home and overseas over the next two years.
In 2024, Johnny Hates Jazz completed a sell-out headline tour of the UK, encompassing performances at the Isle of Wight Festival, Carfest, and culminating in a Christmas show at Indigo At The O2. The evening featured a guest appearance from their old friend Kim Wilde, singing “Turn Back The Clock” with the band for the first time since its original release. They also played in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico the same year, as well as appearing on BBC Breakfast and doing an acoustic performance-cum-interview with Chris Evans for his Virgin Radio breakfast show. In 2025, they performed at various UK venues such as the London Palladium, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Manchester Bridgewater Hall and a headline show London’s iconic Union Chapel.
And now with 2026 well under way, Johnny Hates Jazz have teamed up with soul icon Jaki Graham to release a new single called “Soul Believer”. Written by Clark and Average White Band legend Hamish Stuart, the song honours the soul music of the 60’s, 70s and 80s that inspired so many musicians across the decades. Clark and Jaki will also be launching a podcast called “Soul Believers”, in which they celebrate and explore the enduring appeal of the genre, as well as perform acoustic renditions of some of its most classic songs.
It promises to be an exciting ongoing journey for Johnny Hates Jazz, with their once-in-a-lifetime “Shattered Dreams Tour”, together with the accompanying double album of the same name, being the highlight of 2027.
