I first came across John with "The Globs" - the Global Village Trucking Company, in about 1973 - they were always appearing in outer East London - possibly because it was a quick trip back to their commune in Suffolk
There have been 2 TV documentaries about the Globs - but in those pre internet days we didn't know the keyboard player James Lascelles was "The Hon." and 20th in line to the British throne, nor that the drummer, Simon Stewart-Richardson, was and still is, a baronet - they just played great music
I spoke to John for a few minutes at a Man gig at Southend (I think) and was struck by his easy going nature, and interest in what the fans thought about the way the band's music was evolving
As many here will know, he had had cancer, at least twice, and, to quote form his "Just giving" page had played with :- David Bowie, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, The Pretenders, Eurythmics, Seal, Dr John, Renato Zero, Tom Scott, Kajagoogoo, Bonnie Tyler, Morrisey Mullen, Jim Diamond, Shakira