Andy Partridge

Andrew John Partridge, born 11 November 1953 in Mtarfa, Malta, and known variously as Andy Partridge, Sir John Johns, Melchior, and Animal Jesus, is a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop band XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, where he was raised. Partridge also serves as XTC's de facto art director. Except for its second album, Go 2, the band's album cover art has been based on his ideas. For example, the back c... more

Andrew John Partridge, born 11 November 1953 in Mtarfa, Malta, and known variously as Andy Partridge, Sir John Johns, Melchior, and Animal Jesus, is a founding member, guitarist and chief songwriter of the pop band XTC. He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, where he was raised. Partridge also serves as XTC's de facto art director. Except for its second album, Go 2, the band's album cover art has been based on his ideas. For example, the back cover of Rag and Bone Buffet: Rare Cuts and Leftovers took shape after Partridge requested "lots of rusty junk" and proceeded to create a mockup of the band members with it. XTC toured heavily throughout the late-1970s through to 1982, when Partridge, suffering from the stresses of the road, severe stagefright, as well as the abrupt end of 13 years of doctor-prescribed Valium addiction (thanks to his wife throwing out his supply), forced the band to stop touring. In addition to his work with XTC, Partridge has released demos of his songs under... less