Rod Burton


Rod Burton is a British singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for being part of the trio Rod, Jane and Freddy.

Early life

Burton studied graphic design at the London College of Printing and started his career illustrating books. He left this field to pursue music. He 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 children's TV show Rainbow.

Career

''Rainbow''

As part of a trio with Matthew Corbett and Jane Tucker, their contribution to the show was to sing a song everyday invoking 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 keyboards. They had one song every week. Rod excelled with his songwriting and wrote some memorable songs. When Matthew left in 1976, he was replaced by Roger Walker. He was later replaced by Freddy Marks.
In 1979, Burton divorced Tucker, who entered a relationship with Marks in 1985 and married him in 2016.

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.
Rod currently lives in London and is semi-retired, although he still writes songs.