- Clem Curtis & the Foundations etc.
In the early period of his career, John Springate played with Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon and was a member of Clem Curtis & The Foundations.[3][4] His brother Bill was also a member of Clem Curtis & The Foundations.[5][6][7]
- The Glitter Band
With the Clem Curtis & the Foundations period behind him he answered an ad for a bass player. According to Alwyn Turner, the previous bass player had been sacked. Springate auditioned and got the job.[8]
He sang lead on the Glitter Band single "The Tears I Cried" which Gerry Shephard wrote. It was released in March 1975.[9]
An article appeared in the April 24, 1976 issue of Record Mirror. It was about the Glitter Band deciding to change their name to the G. Band. They were no longer using previous name for recording or when performing live. Springate denied that it was to break away from the image of Gary Glitter. He said that so many people were calling them the G. Band and that they decided to shorten it.[10]
With Gerry Shephard he co-wrote "Don't Make Promises (You Can't Keep)" for the G. Band. It was released on Bell 1481 in 1976. It got to no. 51 on the UK Singles Chart that year.[11][12]
Together with Mike Leander he produced "A Little Boogie Woogie (In the Back of My Mind)" which was recorded by Shakin' Stevens and released in 1987.[13][14] He and Leander also co-produced Stevens' album Let's Boogie which was released the same year.[15]
He wrote and produced Kelly Wilde's single, "Nothing But Promises" which was released on BOLTS 15/7 in March, 1988.[16] On the week of May 14, 1988, the record debuted in the HI-NRG chart at no. 47.[17]
Springate approached Nicki French about recording a version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart". She turned down his offer as she regarded the Bonnie Tyler version a classic. He managed to get her onside and produced the early version of the song. It was later recorded by Stock and Aitken.[18]
Daniel Amalm recorded his composition "Honey Dip"[19] which became a hit for Amalm in 1997. It got to no. 88 on the UK chart.[20]
He produced "Let It Swing" / "Love in The 1st" for Sushi which was released on Branded BRAND 11 in 1998.[21][22] The song made its debut at no. 23 on the RM Pop Chart on the week of October 17.[23]
With Gerry Shephard, he wrote the song "Don't Play That Song Again" which was Nicki French's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000.[24]