John Labern

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John Labern
Borncirca 1817
DiedMarch 1881
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Singer and songwriter
Years active1830-1840

John Labern (c. 1815 – March 1881) was an English singer and songwriter whose songs in the 1830s and 1840s were significant in the development of popular music.

He was born and grew up in the

T. P. Prest's London Singer's Magazine, in the late 1830s, which featured Labern's work prominently. His songs addressed topical issues in a humorous style, and because they were not performed on theatre stages avoided any censorship by the Lord Chamberlain's Office; some would have been considered obscene.[1] As well as performing them himself, his songs were sung by other entertainers such as J. W. Sharp and Sam Cowell.[2] They were published in several volumes, including J. Labern's Original Comic Songs (1842)[3] and Labern's Comic Minstrel (1865).[4]

In 1858, Labern became a tobacconist and stationer with a shop on Euston Road.[1] He died in 1881 and was buried at Brompton Cemetery.[2]

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