John's Children - Desdemona

[junglevips]

BEST BAND EVER!!!!!!! 

[junglevips]

check out "speak and the spells". wild!

[19mothaferkin92]

Bolan is rad

[flimbambo]

What a pile of shit! I always thought Bolan sounded like a wanker in the 70s and now I see he sounded the same in the 60s.

[keefyd5]

best way to listen to this,sit naked in the nude!

[Strawberry7Lynn]

I'd love to hear this band's 'Come and Play With Me in the Garden, but no one's uploaded it, would you believe! So over to one of you who has the CD, I look forward to hearing it!

[keefyd5]

Had a Vespa GS,with all the trimmings! Was all about in me parker,now a lonely ol grandad,this really takes me back to those happy days,thanks Marc.

[TheSunbau]

I really like the Garage rock style from the 60s. This is the first time I listen to this band but not the last. Thank you for uploading. My hobby is to rediscover all the fantastic bands around the world from this period. Listen for example to The Misunderstood and specially THE ZETTLERS and their versions of "Skinnie Minnie" and "Beautiful Delilah". The recordings were made 1965. Irresistible bloody "drive"!!!!

[azaeliaslade02]

BRILL i love 60s garage rock ihave this on a hits ep still looking for J C LP got all well most T REX MARC B RECORDS try this 80s underground all T REX fans its FREE go to CD BABY VINCES Ha Ha 20 great songs good blog VINCES Ha Ha also on you tube 4 vids

[DesdomonaChild]

I need to go back in time - I was born to late - This must have been an amazing time.

[lightnin551]

You can really hear Marc Bolans unique wailing voice in this song. Really Great! Ohhh Marc I love you so!

[lightnin551]

You can really hear Marc Bolans unique wailing voice. Ohhh Marc I love you so!

[TOBERT001]

This is such an underrated track. It should have been a huge hit.

Andy Ellison's vocals are pure 1967 and the backing is fantastic.

The Jam used to do a cover of it in their live shows, I'm told.

[lightnin551]

@TOBERT001 yes i do agree

[YoshiUnfolded]

Everytime I heard this, I thought it was Mickey Finn singing :PP

[joriszsz]

The intro sounds kinda like "Money Honey", a Drifters tune... And Elvis, Eddie Cochran(who Marc were a big fan of) and Wanda Jackson have done covers of it...

btw, it's great!

[randybullcow]

@joriszsz Strange that you should mention that,as I heard an interview where Marc's supposed to have said to the other band members that the song had a Jailhouse Rock feel to it,when they first rehersed it.

[joriszsz]

@randybullcow Yeah, sound a bit like Jailhouse Rock too

[nagiroltra]

great to hear an overlooked gem from a sublime time of music. Think it lost something in translation though ? No offence, Tea Wrecks phans!

[jax7662]

i too also have this single, who else could do backing like marc with his unmistakable voice

[MrTulip65]

I heard that violence was commonplace at their gigs - really proto-punk, intimidating atmosphere...wish I'd been there - not because I like violence, but sometimes certain ingredients need to be there for Rock 'n' Roll to thrive, untethered and wild ;)

[triffiks]

would you believe the Beeb banned it cos of the line "lift up your skirt and fly" ? Oh boy how times have changed!! Fabulous song

[kevtangent]

@triffiks

Actually it was banned because of the line "lift up your skirt and speak" which according to the beeb was a clear sexual reference (as in the girl spreading her vagina (for those that need it explained LOL))...which is funny when you think of all the stuff that gets played on daytime radio now......

[r51collins]

i hate to say this but I still have this single.

[steevenfrost]

check out song "real life permanent dream by psych group, "Tomorrow".they are similar.

[mikekadas]

Desdemona - John's Children [Leatherhead, England] - 1967 - "AMG Pick. ..." was banned by the BBC for the controversial lyric, 'Lift up your skirt and fly'. Bolan was with the band for about four months. 'Desdemona' (Bolan) / 'Remember Thomas A. Beckett'" - Jagged Time Lapse 1967. NOTE this song came off this 2 CD compilation: The Complete John's Children (NMC) 2002.

[ladyislingering]

This is wonderful. (: Love Marc's backing vocals.

[chitarraro92]

0:48 se so imbottiti...

[thawthepast]

great!

[MrKippers2008]

hey.in 1964.our band "the tiny mods" played support to this brilliant band in west London.too much

[kana498]

mMY FAVE SINGER OF ALL TIME

MARC BOLAN I STILL LOVE YOU XXXX

[BolanBarlow1]

Marc we love you xxx

[randybullcow]

I believe that John's Children did record a promo video for this song,but it hasn't been seen since it was made over 40 years ago,shame really!!!

[OScaleAmtrak]

The first 30 seconds sounds like the intro to Brownsville Station"s "Smokin In The Boys Room" blended with Billy Joel's "You May Be Right".

[lexo30]

@OScaleAmtrak And yet it predates them both by several years.

[hollyhocks334]

i went into a local record shop,recentley,he sells 45/lps etc,asked him if he had desdemona by johns children, he said if i did would i be working in this **it hole,lol, great shop if you like mud,flying pickets,and the rest of the rubbish,

[AllKindsaGirls]

cause they were all virgins.

haha just kidding, i couldn't tell ya.

[cokeydear]

Why did they always wear white?..

[Dmmklpy]

My dad could probably get alot for his 45" of it its in decent condition plus we live in Canada and since it was only ever released in Britain collectors whould probably pay alot for it.

[futuristic777]

i had this with picture cover sleeve and got £120 for it

[robbiecornish]

Marc Bolan;s music lives on, thank god there are postings like thisn on youtube and opportunities to purchase his songs......

[steve371970]

does any footage exist with Bolan in the band?

[randybullcow]

Yes but it's a very badly damaged silent clip from one of his last gigs with the band,at the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream at Alexandra Palace in London.A clip of it can be found on the "Final Word" documentary on Marc.

[IDTTV]

Check out new version of the song by Boobalooga at myspace.

[RAWRAMP1]

excellent..pete x

[HugoPortion]

Huh, I bought it for 2p, but the geezer seen me coming, dunno wot it's worth today after the credit crutch, prolly a bleedin squillion.

[randybullcow]

If it's the original single (Track 604003) it's worth about £80 in mint condition,twice that if it's in the original picture sleeve.

[HugoPortion]

so its like worth less if its playable?

[randybullcow]

If it's been thrashed then the value of it will drop conciderably,although I was offered a badly scratched copy many years ago for £5,just goes to show how collectable it is.The one you want though is their next single,Midsummer Night's Scene(Track 604005).The last copy on ebay was sold for £6500.

[HugoPortion]

No its not threshed i reckon you could still hear its been under the bed in the caravan for a long time might be a bit of batshit on it ha ha ha actully its called Midsummer Night Sceen that is what is says on it i will begin to prepare the swiss accoumt ha ha ha

[PoireauMan68]

i will record YOu a version on my four tracks for just 650 whatdayasay?

[bolanbabe]

lift up your skirt and fly!!!! yay marcxx deborah xx!!!!!!!

[jon32133]

Have a listen to the Lupin Thieves (big83matt83) and check out the guys voice. Spooky how its so like Bolans

[54spiritedwill54]

the good old days of Radio London

[rootrat1au]

Haven't heard this for years, thank you, honeysprite.

[toogoodtopassby]

love just love the lyrics its so good you cant get that anymore and its funny how when you look at them altogether marc bolan still stands out his got that special thing all we have to look forward to now is run of the mill talent shows with not much talent its like it came out a factorie

[leolodreamland]

well he squandered it and turned his back on john peel, somewhat of a dick by the end...

but i do agree nonetheless

[itstoogoodtopassby]

i,m not sure where the john peel thing came from? sorry i,m a women i get confused, also who squandered what? the songs the best

[missdude76]

GREAT MARC BOLAN!!!!!

[ORALORALSEX]

yer i agree it is i have resentley brougt it on 7'' i got it for 7 pounds but its worth like 300 lol xxx

[ditaj]

lucky you

[wetbedsheet]

this song is mindblowing

[Perranporth]

A fantastic song!

[theladygrinningsoul]

Marc Bolan's little singing bits are heaven.

[Janjabean]

God, weren't they all lovely!

My Dad Chris was the drummer in John's Children. Unfortunately he passed away 3 weeks ago after a battle with cancer. Rest assured though, he and Marc are grooving together once more. x

[honeysprite]

I heard about your dad's passing and I'm sorry for your loss. It's an honor to have you watching my vid. <3 Thanks for commenting.

[Janjabean]

Thank you honeysprite for putting this on youtube in the first place! My Dad would have been very pleased.

Here's to more John's Children postings! I'll try and find some.

x

[honeysprite]

Do you have a request for one in particular? ;)

[DAVWAVE]

I heard this group because I was going for Marc's older songs and thought this was good drumming. Did he play drums in other bands during his life.

[Janjabean]

He played with a band called Jook and one called Jet back in the 70's. He also played drums with the Who for 5 nights on a tour when Keith Moon broke his leg!

More recently he collaborated with Martin Gordon (not sure if you would have heard of him...he used to be in Sparks and is now pretty well known in Germany).

He was a fantastic drummer.

[DAVWAVE]

I heard they opened for the Who for a bit. So, that make perfect sense(esp since he played the drums so well. And yes I knew of Sparks, ie "Wonder Girl".

[McDjB1]

Chris is probably the best drummer Bolan ever had the chance to play with. I just tried to copy the drum solo at the end of 'Perfumed Garden' - I couldn't keep up!! Deffo my fave drummer ever!

[stOOpid68]

@Janjabean

jan, ya dad's music brought a LOT of joy to a LOT of people

R.I.P

Lee

Liverpool Mods

[englishsandy]

@Janjabean sadly missed your dad is.They were underated but they were great musicians and I sincerly hope your dad and Mark are grovin' together.That would be a gig to be at.

[thawthepast]

@Janjabean RIP

[wtfe20210]

@Janjabean And Thank God for that , Sister...I can't wait to meet em, down that road, one day...so far away ;)

[glamfakir]

Thanks for posting this.

It has taken 36 years for me to hear this song since I first got into T.Rex as a child.

I had heard little excerpts along the way and I knew the story behind the lyrics and the censors.

Peace.

[waltprez]

this was probably the first glam band!great track!bolan rules!

[marcelvollet]

i need more john's children shit!

[Roman92103]

Holy sh*t that made my head explode! Stumbled on this while looking up info about the 80s NY nightclub "Lift Up Your Skirt and Fly." That phrase has stuck in my head for 20 years. So much unearthed treasure coming to light ... Cheeerz long live you and John's children ... off to itunes or somewhere to download it ...

[sacarthy]

beautiful video

[eddysteele]

this is just pure Class

[PAULLONDEN]

One of my fave rave bands of all time ,bought 3 singels of'm in'67 (still good condition).Check out some Radio Stars too,people !:-)

[moorlock2003]

"Lift up your skirt and fly". That line is why it was banned from the BBC, hence no hit.

[PAULLONDEN]

Andy....... tanx tanx tanx

[qwertyloop]

Marc was a cool little groover even back then - top tune and so different for the time it was in!

[AlbinoGhandi]

@qwertyloop

Not really- Sounds very typical and dated to the late sixties? Have you heard other music from that period?

[PhilCesson]

Ah !!! the good old days of Radio London

[PAINTEROO7]

loving your tunesx

[Deeperpurple1952]

This single was banned because of the lyric...Lift up your skirt and fly. lol

[bolanbabe]

wonderful....tanx

[honeysprite]

He was a cute little mod, wasn't he?

[londonpenda]

The best....He was destined for fame...and he knew it.RIP ;o)

[craig1873craig]

im a guy and i have to agree with you pmsl i look at the cover of the legendary orgasm lp and they all look like ace faces marc bolan the 1st original mod pity johns children didnt do more shit

[PoireauMan68]

I agree, also his brother was a MOD and was possibly older...In Stokey you could called that a MOVEMENT...funny his brother never made music...was he a airdresser or something.

[PurplePillEater]

@honeysprite "cute" li'l mod ? Cool cat !

[londonpenda]

5th try...?

 Loved this when it first came out. 5x5 ;o))

[KIERSZTEN]

one word only AWESOME tanx for sharing