Dean Friedman in Concert

DEAN FRIEDMAN – THE GREENWICH VILLAGE SONGSMITH RETURNS TO BARNOLDSWICK

Wednesday 19th August and Thursday 20th August.

Later this year Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre proudly welcomes back one of New York's most distinctive and enduring singer-songwriters as Dean Friedman returns to the Pennine listening room celebrating seven remarkable decades devoted to music and touring. With his roots firmly planted in the great tradition of New York's Greenwich Village troubadours, Friedman stands among that golden generation of American storytellers who could turn everyday life into unforgettable songs. Born in Paramus, New Jersey, he began his musical journey early — studying piano as a child before buying his first guitar at the age of nine with money saved from delivering newspapers. By his early twenties he was studying music at City College of New York, where he crossed paths with celebrated folk guitarist David Bromberg and soon found himself connected with the legendary New York club The Bottom Line, a proving ground for many of the finest singer-songwriters of the era.

Friedman first entered the international pop consciousness in 1977 with the irresistibly catchy single "Ariel," a beautifully observed slice of storytelling pop that climbed to No.26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the great AM radio classics of the decade. With its vivid portrait of a free-spirited girl from suburban New Jersey, the song captured the wit, warmth and sharply detailed storytelling that would become Friedman's trademark. If "Ariel" introduced him to the world, his follow-up success "Lucky Stars," the magical duet with Denise Marsa, sealed his reputation as one of pop's most distinctive craftsmen. Released from his album "Well, Well," Said the Rocking Chair," the song soared to No.3 in the UK charts, became a gold-selling hit and remains one of the most beloved duets of the late seventies.

From there Friedman built a catalogue of songs that have become cult classics across both sides of the Atlantic — including "Lydia," "Rocking Chair (It's Gonna Be Alright)," "Woman of Mine," and the wonderfully irreverent "McDonald's Girl." That last song famously ran into trouble with the BBC, which banned it for mentioning the name of the fast-food chain — only for the story to come full circle years later when the McDonald's corporation itself licensed the track for a major advertising campaign. It was a twist of fate worthy of Friedman's own lyrical wit.

Yet Dean Friedman's career stretches far beyond the charts. Alongside decades of touring he has composed music for television and film, contributed scores for broadcasters including BBC, NBC, Nickelodeon and Fuji TV, and written the music for the popular British television series Boon. He is also a respected author and pioneer in music technology, publishing the influential reference book "The Complete Guide to Synthesizers, Sequencers and Drum Machines," while also exploring creative ventures in multimedia and video-game design. Over the years his songwriting style — rich with humour, pathos and razor-sharp observation — has quietly influenced a new generation of artists including Ben Folds Five and Barenaked Ladies.

Throughout the decades Friedman has continued to write and record with remarkable consistency, releasing acclaimed albums including The Treehouse Journals, Submarine Races, Words & Music, 12 Songs, and American Lullaby, each reaffirming his reputation as a songwriter of rare melodic gift and lyrical intelligence. Critics have long celebrated his unique voice, hailing him as "Songsmith extraordinaire" (Music Week), praising his "stunning musicianship" (Hot Press) and declaring "Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant" (ThreeWeeks). Live audiences echo the sentiment, with theatre reviewers noting: "Every song in this show is a classic — you won't see a better show."

On stage, Friedman combines masterful musicianship, disarming humour and beautifully crafted story-songs, creating an atmosphere that feels less like a concert and more like an evening spent in the company of an old friend spinning tales from the road. It's a style born from that great New York singer-songwriter tradition, where melody, narrative and personality all share the spotlight.

Now, celebrating seven decades immersed in music, Dean Friedman continues to tour the world performing the songs that have become, for many listeners, the soundtrack of their lives. His return to Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre promises two truly special evenings in the venue's intimate listening-room setting — the perfect environment for an artist whose songs capture the humour, heartbreak and everyday poetry of ordinary life.

For those who know his music, it will be like welcoming an old friend back to town.
For those discovering him for the first time, prepare to meet one of New York's finest troubadours up close and personal.