Johnny Handle

Who is Johnny Handle?

Johnny Handle is an English folk musician and singer/songwriter. Starting as a skiffle player in 1957 he soon crossed into folk music both as a soloist and as a member of The High Level Ranters. His repertoire is heavily influenced by the traditional music of North East England and, in particular, songs about. In 1958, with Louis Killen, he founded the Folksong and Ballad Club in the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle. He plays accordion, keyboards, banjo, whistle and the Northumbrian pipes. Among the songs he has written is "Farewell to the Monty", written in January 1959 on the closing of the Montague Colliery, West Danton, Newcastle upon Tyne.