Francis Dunnery
A restlessly creative guitarist and songwriter who journeyed from prog-rock cult fame to shaping sounds for other artists.
Born 1962 (age 64)·Musical artist·Birthday: December 25·Baby Boomers
Biography
Francis Dunnery first captured attention as the frontman and driving force behind It Bites, a Cumbrian band whose blend of pop melody and progressive rock virtuosity in the late 80s earned a devoted following. His fiery, inventive guitar work and soulful voice defined their sound. Never one to stand still, Dunnery dissolved the band at its commercial peak and embarked on a solo career that was as eclectic as it was personal, exploring folk, soul, and confessional songwriting across a series of albums. His curiosity led him to production, where he became a sought-after collaborator, working with artists as diverse as Robert Plant, Lauren Hill, and Chris Difford. A perpetual seeker, Dunnery also developed a parallel path as a motivational speaker and life coach, weaving his philosophical explorations into his music and public talks, embodying the spirit of an artist in constant, searching evolution.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Francis was born in 1962, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Francis Was Born
The biggest hits of 1962
#1 Movie
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Picture
Lawrence of Arabia
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
Francis's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1962Born
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1967Started school
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1975Became a teenager
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Could drive
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Could vote
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Turned 21
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1992Turned 30
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 40
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 50
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 60
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 64 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led It Bites to a UK Top 10 album with 'Once Around the World' and a hit single in 'Calling All the Heroes'.
- Produced Robert Plant's critically acclaimed 2002 album 'Dreamland'.
- Founded the independent record label Aquarian Nation to release his own music and mentor other artists.
- Released over a dozen solo albums showcasing a wide range of styles from acoustic folk to electronic experimentation.
Did You Know?
He is a trained practitioner and teacher of 'The Journey', a therapeutic technique developed by Brandon Bays.
He turned down an invitation to audition for the guitarist role in Genesis in the mid-1990s.
His solo album 'Tall Blonde Helicopter' features a guest appearance from comedian and friend Eddie Izzard.
“The guitar is a vehicle for truth, not just a machine for notes.”
