Where is it
The circular red plaque is on the left of the main entrance door at Park House which is a bar/restaurant on the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus, south east of the library and opposite the JJ Thompson building.
The plaque was unveiled by renowned actor and singer John Leyton at Park House at the end of May 2013.
Unveiling the plaque
Some of Geoff Goddard’s family and John Leyton (left) were there to see the plaque unveiled.
A bit of background
Geoff was born in Reading where he sang in choir in a local church. After studying viola and piano at the Royal Academy and following his national service, he decided his interest lay in popular music. He initially styled himself as singer-pianist under the stage-name ‘Anton Hollywood’, but went on to release four songs under his own name. However, it was as a songwriter that he had most success, writing ‘Johnny Remember Me’ for John Leyton, which became a number one hit single in the UK Singles Chart. He played keyboards on various of record producer Joe Meek’s productions, most notably another chart-topper, The Tornados’ ‘Telstar’, also writing and performing on the hit single’s flip side, ‘Jungle Fever.’
In 1985, Marc Almond and Bronski Beat did a cover version of ‘Johnny Remember Me’ which earned them a platinum disc, having sold over 300,000 copies. It is said the royalties from the sales came as a complete surprise to Geoff.
Geoff Goddard worked in the catering department at the University for 20 years until the 1980s, but is remembered for his work in the popular music industry during the early 1960s as a songwriter, singer and instrumentalist.