Not John Paul Jones but John Barry

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on November 16, 2004

In Reply to: 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 . 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.