Leee John facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leee John
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John performing in Olonne-sur-Mer
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leslie McGregor John |
| Born | 23 June 1957 Hackney, London, England |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
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| Associated acts | Imagination, Byron Stingily, Junior Giscombe Noel McKoy, Don-E |
Leee John, born Leslie McGregor John on June 23, 1957, is a talented English musician, singer, and actor. He became famous as the lead singer of the soul band Imagination. This band had three songs reach the top 10 in the UK during the early 1980s. Leee John is well-known for his unique high-pitched singing voice, called a falsetto, and his exciting, colorful outfits.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Leee John was born in Hackney, London, England. He later moved to New York City for part of his childhood. He also studied acting at the Anna Scher Theatre School.
His mother, Jessie Stevens, was born in 1927 in Saint Lucia. She moved to Britain in 1955. She was the first Black woman to work at Companies House. Jessie Stevens was part of the Windrush Generation. This group of people came from Caribbean countries to the UK after World War II. She received an award from Queen Elizabeth in 1982. This was for her work helping the police and community in Haringey.
When Leee John was a young child, he moved to New York City with his father. At age 10 or 11, he signed with a record label. He also worked as a background singer for famous groups like The Delfonics. Later, he moved back to England to live with his mother. His father wanted him to focus on studying, not music. While in college, Leee recorded an album with a friend, but it did not become very popular.
Leee John's Music Career
Leee John was still a backing singer when he met Ashley Ingram. Ashley was a guitarist and bassist. They started writing songs together. They formed a short-lived band called Fizzz. Then, with drummer Errol Kennedy, they created the soul band Imagination in the early 1980s.
How Imagination Got Started
The band was named after the John Lennon song "Imagine". John Lennon had passed away a year before. Imagination worked with Grammy-winning producer Trevor Horn. They were then discovered by producers Jolley & Swain. These producers helped them create their first hit song, "Body Talk." It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart in May 1981.
Imagination's Biggest Hits
Imagination's biggest hit was "Just an Illusion." This song reached number 2 in March 1982. The band often appeared on popular TV music shows like Top of the Pops. Imagination released seven albums in total. The most famous ones were Body Talk (1981), In the Heat of the Night (1982), and Scandalous (1983).
Acting and Solo Work
In 1983, Leee John made a guest appearance in the TV show Doctor Who. He played a character named Mansell. Imagination continued to perform and record until the early 1990s. Leee John then returned to acting for a while. In 2003, he appeared on the TV reality show Reborn in the USA.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Leee John released several dance songs. He also released a jazz album called Feel My Soul in 2005. This album featured jazz classics and new songs. Since then, Leee has toured with his jazz band. He also continues to perform with Imagination.
Recent Projects and Recognition
Leee John is an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages. This charity helps children who do not have homes or families. He supports their yearly World Orphan Week. In 2020, Leee John was featured on a song called "The Lost Chord" by the band Gorillaz. This song was part of their Song Machine project.
In 2023, Leee John and his mother, Jessie Stephens, were invited to King Charles' birthday party. This special event took place at Highgrove House.
Discography
- Feel My Soul (2005)
- Live in Paris at the New Morning (2007)
- The Voice of Illusion Vol. 1 (2008)
- Now Is the Time (2008)
- Intimate Glow, with Bill Sharpe (2024)
