Re: Not John Paul Jones but John Barry

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on November 16, 2004

In Reply to: Re: Not John Paul Jones but John Barry posted by TheFallen on November 16, 2004

: : : : During an American Revolutionary War discussion here, the phrase 'father of the American navy' was used, and my wee Scottish lass and I have had a running disagreement over who deserves this titled reference. Is it Captain John Paul Jones or his former commander Captain John Barry? I have Googled but have not found any agreement.

: : : Difficult one this but easier to solve than it appears :

: : : The John Barry Seven preceded Led Zeppelin, so I guess he wins.

: : And the prize goes to John Barry, born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1745, died in Philadelphia in 1803. See the bio by Wm. Bell Clark (1938). I've never heard anyone call John Paul Jones the Father of the Navy, although doubtless it has happened. SS

: I thought John Paul Jones was in the Sex Pistols?

No, no, no. John Paul Jones was in Led Zeppelin, as Warthog alludes to above. He was their bassist. There was a Steve Jones (guitar), a Paul Cook (drums), and a Johnny Rotten (vocals) in the Sex Pistols. Good thing there was no one named Barry or we'd never get it straightened out.

--Brian.