John Ford Coley

John Ford Coley is a singer, classically trained pianist, and guitarist, known for his work in the musical duo England Dan & John Ford Coley, and later as an actor and author. After achieving a charting song, ‘The Smell of Incense,’ which reached number 56 on the pop chart in 1968 with Southwest F.O.B., John Ford Coley, a classically trained pianist and guitarist, continued to build his musical career. During this period, Southwest F.O.B. performed alongside notable acts such as Led Zeppelin.

The duo went on to obtain a recording contract with Big Tree Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, between 1974 and 1976. This partnership ignited widespread success, spearheaded by their 1976 single ‘I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,’ which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold two million copies. This fruitful period garnered England Dan & John Ford Coley four top-ten hits and two top-twenty hits, earning Grammy Award nominations, as well as triple-platinum and gold records across eight albums. Notable releases included the 1976 album Nights Are Forever, which featured the top 10 hit ‘Nights Are Forever Without You’ that same year.

Following the disbandment of the duo in 1980, Coley continued to evolve his career, releasing an album with Leslie, Kelly and John Ford Coley on A&M Records in 1980. Transitioning beyond performing, Coley also pursued acting in teen films throughout the 1980s and served as a co-producer for other artists. Demonstrating his enduring appeal and passion for live music, he returned to active touring in 1996, performing internationally to dedicated audiences. An accomplished singer, classically trained pianist, and guitarist, John Ford Coley continues to be celebrated for his distinctive voice and extensive body of work, building on a legacy of chart-topping hits and acclaimed albums that resonate globally.