John's Children, formerly "The Silence", were a Leatherhead, England 1960s proto-punk band featuring future T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan, whose 1967 single "Desdemona" was banned by the BBC for the 'controversial' lyric, "Lift up your skirt and fly". Bolan was with the band for about 4 months. His main roles were to be the band's composer and play electric guitar (until then, he only played acoustic guitar). His singing voice is sometimes lead in "unofficial" recordings only (demos, BBC radio sessions).

Their manager was Simon Napier-Bell, who devised white stage outfits and an outrageous stage act which included fighting each other and Bolan whipping the stage with a chain.

John's Children in Germany

The group were put on tour with The Who in Germany around April 1967. A concert in Düsseldorf ended in a riot, and a later concert in Ludwigshafen created such a fuss that the Who nearly couldn't play. The group were promptly deported. The band returned a year later to the Star-Club in Hamburg, substituting for The Bee Gees.

The group's influence

Despite having little success, John's Children were a heavy influence on punk rock, with their shambolic state presentation and headline-grabbing controversies. The group still have a cult following, and still play and record sporadically.

The band recorded in June 2006 with original members Ellison, Hewlett and Townson plus guitarist Trevor White (former member of Sparks).[1]

lineup

• Andy Ellison: vocals born Andrew Ellison, 5.7.1946, in Leatherhead, Surrey.
• Geoff McClelland: guitar born 1947
• Marc Bolan: guitar (replaced McClelland in March 1967)
• John Hewlett: bass guitar born 1948
• Chris Townson: drums / also guitar after Bolan left in June 1967. born 24.7.1947, in Leatherhead, Surrey
• Chris Colville: drums (only at live-appearances), after Bolan left the group, enabling Townson to switch to guitar.

Discography

Singles

• "Smashed Blocked" (Napier-Bell/Hewlett)/ "Strange Affair" (UK A-Side title: "The Love I Thought I'd Found"; USA: Billboard Hot 100 and local (Florida) Top-10s; backing by L.A. session musicians) (UK: Columbia (EMI) DB 8030, October 14 1966, USA: White Whale, December 1966)
• "Just What You Want - Just What You'll Get" (Hewlett, Townson, Ellison, McClelland) / "But She's Mine" (A-side: backing by English session musicians; Jeff Beck guests on B-side) (UK: Columbia (EMI) DB 8124, February 3 1967)
• "Desdemona" (Bolan) / "Remember Thomas A. Beckett" (Bolan on A-side, McClelland on B-side) (UK: Track 604003, 24 May 1967; Germany: Polydor 59116)
• "Midsummer Night's Scene" (Bolan) / "Sara Crazy Child" (release cancelled) (UK: Track 604005, June 1967)
• "Come and Play with Me in the Garden" (Ellison, Hewlett)/ "Sara Crazy Child" (Bolan) (Bolan plays on B-side only) (UK: Track 604005, July 14 1967; Germany: Polydor 59116)
• "Go Go Girl" (Bolan)/ "Jagged Time Lapse" (Hewlett, McClelland) (A-side is version of Bolan's "Mustang Ford" and features Bolan on guitar, B-side from remaining recordings with Geoff McClelland) (UK: Track 604010, October 6 1967; Germany: Polydor 59160; Greece: International Polydor 244)
• Andy Ellison: "It's Been A Long Time" / "Arthur Green" (B-side only, Ellison solo single) (UK: Track 604018, December 1967)

Album

• Orgasm, (White Whale September 1970, projected release: March 18 1967).

Notable Other Releases

• "Incredible Sound Show Stories Vol.5 - Yellow Street Boutique" A Sampler featuring songs recorded by "The Silence".

External links

• Official Site
• Children of the Revolution - A Story of John's Children