Bands & Projects
John is available for booking with the following live acts as well as a session player.

Performing: ‘North and South of 8 Mile and The Folly’

The John Idan Group was founded in 2008 shortly before John Idan’s departure from his longtime band ‘The Yardbirds’ and is now his main group.

The line-up has since manifested itself to a cast of top-notch players with a set European line-up (Peter Miles (Bee Gee’s, Alexis Korner) drums, Ian Fidler on Hammond organ, International Man of Mystery: Fox on bass) and changing cast of the highest quality American/Canadian players for the American band.

The group is playing original material from John’s album ‘The Folly’ and the finest blues, soul and rock music from in and outside the borders of his hometown Detroit.

Alternatively, upon request the group offers a stage show which is designed for corporative events and functions and custom tailored to each client’s musical taste.

Performing: ‘North and South of 8 Mile and The Folly’

‘A Long Time on This Road’ is a unique acoustic show in which John Idan tells the many great, funny and partially scary stores a touring musician experiences in 20 years on the road, augmented by the songs that touched or inspired him throughout those experiences.

Having been the lead vocalist in the British band The Yardbirds, Idan toured around the world and shared the stage with many well respected musicians such as Slash, Steve Vai, The Doors, The Vanilla Fudge, The Zombies, The Spencer Davis Group, Richie Haven to name only a few. The audience can look forward to an unforgettable experience with music and stories that cannot be found anywhere else!

For non-English speaking audiences John travels with a translator who makes sure that everyone can overcome their language barriers.

Having known each other for over 20 years, John Idan and his mentor Top Topham, who was instrumental in bringing Idan over to the UK, have never stopped playing together or lost their musical bond.

The band consists of John Idan on guitar and vocals, Top Topham on guitar, Ed Spevock on drums and Jim Merser on the upright bass.

Because of Idan’s American background, his amazingly ‘black’ blues voice and both, his and Top Topham’s great, inspired guitar playing and improvised guitar duels, it is possible for them to play the finest Detroit and Chicago blues with an authentic atmosphere!

Leave it to Lord Dome aka Keith Johnson to write a cool, simple Rockin’ tune and to inadvertently reunite me with my old Yardbird colleagues Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty!

A few years ago Dome played me a demo of "I Can't Hold On" and asked if I might like to work with him on it. I liked the feel of the song and thought this could be really good.

Time rolled on and eventually I found myself in Connecticut laying down tracks with him and Pat Keogh. It was recorded in a similar fashion as my album The Folly with myself playing all the instruments, of course here the exception is Lord Dome's guitar interplay and weaving ala Keith and Brian (or Mick T.) with Backing Vocals by Jim McCarty who's vocal texture is so distinct and blends ever so nicely.

Chris's maracas were done completely on the fly, and people who know, have heard Mr. Dreja's maraca work on many classic Yardbird tracks. It is a delight to have them both here!