Goff Jones
Goff Jones
It all started in his mother’s back kitchen
in 1965…
Ask anyone who’s been around the North Wales and Chester folk scene over the past 50 years and they’ll know the name Goff Jones.
It all started in his mother’s back kitchen in 1965 – electric guitars cranked to the limit, dreams of the pop scene, and a set of drums that nearly drove his mother round the bend. But the real turning point came when Goff’s stepbrother John brought home a Spinners LP. At first, Goff wasn’t keen. But the more he played it (in secret, endlessly), the more it grew on him. That LP sparked a lifelong love of folk music – and a journey that would shape the local scene for decades to come.
It all started in his mother’s back kitchen
in 1965
Ask anyone who's been around the North Wales and Chester folk scene over the past 50 years and they'll know the name Goff Jones.
It all started in his mother's back kitchen in 1965 – electric guitars cranked to the limit, dreams of the pop scene, and a set of drums that nearly drove his mother round the bend. But the real turning point came when Goff's stepbrother John brought home a Spinners LP. At first, Goff wasn't keen. But the more he played it (in secret, endlessly), the more it grew on him. That LP sparked a lifelong love of folk music – and a journey that would shape the local scene for decades to come.
By the age of 16, Goff was co-founding folk clubs in some of the roughest pubs in Wrexham – places like The Feathers, where you'd walk past intimidating crowds and (occasionally) startled "ladies of the night" just to get to the back room. Despite the grit, the music flourished. Audiences were captivated, and the club began attracting guests – none other than a young Eddie and Finbar Furey among them.
Soon,The Yardarm was born.
By the age of 16, Goff was co-founding folk clubs in some of the roughest pubs in Wrexham – places like The Feathers, where you’d walk past intimidating crowds and (occasionally) startled “ladies of the night” just to get to the back room. Despite the grit, the music flourished. Audiences were captivated, and the club began attracting guests – none other than a young Eddie and Finbar Furey among them.
Originally a duo with John Evans, the band would grow and evolve, eventually becoming a five-piece blending rich harmonies and innovative arrangements that captivated audiences across the region. They played prestigious venues like Chester’s Gateway Theatre, became residents at the Bull & Stirrup, and shared stages with legendary names including Barbara Dickson, Martin Carthy, The Humblebums (featuring Billy Connolly), and Ralph McTell – even performing with him when Streets of London topped the charts.
We’ve been lucky enough to dig into the archives with Goff Jones, who’s lovingly preserved his memories in a series of scrapbooks. Each page is a beautiful window into the past, full of cherished mementos. Take a look at these treasures for yourself…
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HIGHLIGHTS
