Rod Burton

Early life

He originally studied at the London College of Printing as a graphic designer and had a highly successful career in illustrating books, but songwriting was his main ambition so he quit the advertising business and teamed up with a friend to write and perform music. Rod spent several years 'busking' in the south of France and playing in pubs and bars until an audition with his then wife Jane got him a job on a major children's TV show Rainbow.

Rainbow

As part of a trio with Matthew Corbett and Jane Tucker, their contribution to the show was to sing a song everyday using the theme of the day. These songs were recorded by Rod, Matt and Jane. Rod played banjo and guitar, Matt played guitar and bass and Jane played the keyboards. They had one song each per week. Rod excelled with his songwriting and wrote some memorable material. When Matthew left in 1976, he was replaced by Roger Walker (the group became Rod, Jane and Roger), he was then replaced by Freddy Marks (making the group's name Rod, Jane and Freddy).

In 1979 Burton divorced from Tucker, who has been in a relationship with Marks since 1985.

Rod, Jane and Freddy Show

Towards the end of 1980, the trio were approached by ITV to do their own show. Plans went through, and The Rod, Jane and Freddy Show aired its first episode on 15 January 1981. Rod, Jane and Freddy appeared in both their own show and Rainbow until 1991, when they left Rainbow to focus solely on The Rod, Jane and Freddy Show.

Touring

In 1990, Rod toured with Jane and Freddy in their stage shows all across the country until 1996. In 1996, he won a Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

The Present

Rod currently lives London and is semi retired, although still writes material mainly for his own amusement.