British musician and former lead singer of the soul band Imagination

Born in London and educated in New York, Leslie ‘Leee’ John started his career as a backing singer. It was during this period of his life that he entered into a songwriting partnership with Ashely Ingram. Together with Errol Kennedy they formed Imagination, a soul music three-piece named in tribute to John Lennon that would see chart success in the 80s.

Imagination’s first single, ‘Body Talk’, was released in July 1981 and went to No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, going on to spend 18 weeks in the Top 50. The band’s next two singles, ‘In and Out of Love’ and ‘Flashback’, both also saw commercial success, charting in the top 20. 1982 brought new levels of success with the release of ‘Just an Illusion’, which peaked at No. 2 and sent the band on a sell-out European tour.

Whilst Imagination continued to tour and perform throughout the 80s and 90s, John began to enter into the acting world, beginning with a guest appearance on Doctor Who. In the late 90s, John launched a solo career, with hits including ‘Your Mind, Your Body, Your Soul’ and ‘U Turn Me’. His debut solo album, Feel My Soul, arrived in 2005. Since then John has continued to play live across the UK, both with his jazz quartet and with Imagination.