14 Facts About Chris Townson

Chris Townson was an English musician, illustrator and social worker.

Chris Townson was a founding member of the 1960s rock group John's Children, and a member of several other bands, including Jook, Jet and Radio Stars.

Chris Townson replaced The Who's Keith Moon on drums on a 1967 UK tour after Moon had injured himself, and he jammed with Jimi Hendrix at the Speakeasy rock club in London.

Later in his life Townson quit the music business and became an illustrator and a highly respected social worker.

Chris Townson was born in Battersea, London on 24 July 1947.

Chris Townson was abandoned by his parents at the age of four, and spent his early childhood in foster care.

Chris Townson invited The Yardbirds' manager Simon Napier-Bell to see The Silence perform, and while Napier-Bell thought they were "dreadful", he was impressed by their antics and agreed to manage them.

Chris Townson changed the group's name to John's Children and said they should make their act "as outrageous as possible" to attract the attention of the press.

Chris Townson drummed with The Who, his "all time favourite band", in four of their concerts in June 1967.

Chris Townson played in several groups after John's Children, including Jook, Jet and Radio Stars.

Chris Townson rejoined John's Children when they reformed in the late 1990s for the occasional tour, and recorded a single with them in 2006.

Chris Townson played on all of Martin Gordon's solo albums, and illustrated a book which accompanied one of them, entitled The Illustrated and Annotated 'God's on His Lunchbreak, Please Call Back' Companion Volume.

Chris Townson died of cancer in London on 10 February 2008.

Chris Townson was married twice and fathered four daughters and a son.