Formed in Leatherhead, Surrey, England, in 1965, John's Children's earliest antecedent was known as the Clockwork Onions. Louis Grooner (vocals), Andy Ellison (b. Andrew Ellison, 5 July 1946, Leatherhead, Surrey, England; harmonica), Geoff McClelland (b. 1947, England; guitar), Chris Dorsett (bass) and Chris Townson (b. 24 July 1947, Battersea, London, England, d. 10 February 2008, London, England; drums) made up this short-lived ensemble, with Grooner leaving after one local gig. Ellison stood in as lead singer before Martin Sheller was brought into the line-up, with the band shortly afterwards changing its name to the Few. Sheller only lasted a few months, with Ellison taking up the vacant lead vocalist slot and Dorsett switching to organ to accommodate new bass player, John Hewlett (b. 1948, England). Dorsett was the next to leave, following which Ellison, McClelland, Townson and Hewlett renamed themselves the Silence and recorded a demo tape. The quartet became John's Children in 1966 after meeting manager/producer Simon Napier-Bell in San Tropez. They made their debut on the Columbia Records label in October with "The Love I Thought I'd Found", an experimental composition made memorable by a start-stop, staccato tempo. This unusual release was known by its original title, "Smashed Blocked", in the USA and Europe.

Listen to John's Children at Finetune.

• Desdemona
• Smashed! Blocked!

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