Jon Lukas (11 September 1948 â 11 June 2021), known as Woodenman, was a Maltese musician from Paola, Malta. He was the first solo artist in Maltese music history to achieve successful foreign pop chart placements in a number of non-native countries and to obtain a major global record company deal.
Jon's record âÂÂCanâÂÂt Afford To LoseâÂÂ, composed by Gary Benson, released in 1970, became an international hit. âÂÂApart from making it to the Top 40 charts in some European territories, âÂÂCan't Afford To Loseâ occupied the top place in the pop charts in Lebanon for a full month, holding back The Beatles' âÂÂThe Long and Winding Roadâ from reaching the No.1 spot.
In 1993, Lukas, accompanied by Marita, placed second in that year's Malta Song Festival with his own composition âÂÂà »ommni u GçannaqniâÂÂ. This was the first time that Lukas sang in his native Maltese language. The English version of this song, entitled âÂÂThe Love We ShareâÂÂ, was produced by Indian-British music producer Biddu.
In 1998, Jon formed the band âÂÂWoodenmanâÂÂ. They recorded an album which topped the âÂÂPeoplesoundâ charts throughout August 1999âÂÂ. They had gigs in Barcelona and Madrid. When they disbanded, Lukas incorporated the band's name and became known as Jon Lukas Woodenman.
On 15 April 2009, Lukas started off a radio programme entitled âÂÂWoodenmanâÂÂs Jukeboxâ on Malta's One Radio. This programme is still being transmitted on U.K.'s Channel Radio.
In the summer of 2008, Marc Storace of Krokus paid tribute to Lukas' 'Can't Afford to Lose'. During his concert, on the island of Gozo, Lukas surprised the audience as he emerged to sing the last half of the song in duet with Storace.
After a long illness, Jon died on 11 June 2021.