Happy Birthday to Leee John of the group Imagination, born June 23rd, 1957.
The soul/dance trio Imagination was one of the most successful acts to bridge black music from the disco sounds of the late 70s to the synth-dominated punk funk that emerged in the 80s – and in the process made some memorable music. Formed by singer Leee John and singer/bassist Ashley Ingram (both of whom had worked with the Chairmen of the Board in the late 70s) along with drummer Erroll Kennedy, the group teamed with upstart writers/producers Tony Swain and Steve Jolley (who would later score big with Bananarama and Rick Astley) to become one of the most popular British groups of the early 80s, though their success in the US was generally limited to the club scene.