John Helliwell

John Anthony Helliwell, born on February 15, 1945, is a distinguished English musician renowned for his multifaceted role as the saxophonist, secondary keyboardist, backing vocalist, and occasional songwriter for the iconic rock band Supertramp. His charisma also shone through as an MC during concerts, where he engaged audiences with humor and anecdotes between performances.

Helliwell's musical journey began with The Alan Bown Set, where he replaced original member Dave Green in January 1966. In 1973, he joined Supertramp at the urging of bassist Dougie Thomson, marking the start of a significant chapter in his career. In 2004, he co-founded the band Crème Anglaise with Mark Hart, a fellow Supertramp member since 1985, resulting in a debut album released in 2005.

His collaborations extend beyond Supertramp; in 1987, he lent his saxophone talents to Pink Floyd's "A Momentary Lapse of Reason," albeit with a misspelling of his name. Helliwell also contributed to French artist Jean-Jacques Goldman's 1985 album "Positif" and provided clarinet for Sara Hickman's 1990 release, "Shortstop."

During a brief hiatus in the 1990s, Helliwell pursued a music degree at the Royal Northern College of Music but ultimately rejoined Supertramp for their tour supporting "Some Things Never Change." He continued to showcase his artistry through various projects, including the Super Big Tramp Band, which features jazz adaptations of Supertramp's classics. In October 2020, he released "Ever Open Door," an album highlighting his talents on saxophone and clarinet alongside a string quartet.