John is originally from Melbourne where through out his early life was playing AFL and was working in the building industry. Even in those younger years music was a big influence, playing drums in those famous garage bands, until the band got to loud, as they say and the neighbours started complaining. He still does not know if the complaints were based on the volume or the quality of the music. While working in the building industry as a carpenter, at 21 he landed a job working on Hayman Island for 12 months where he was known as the “singing Carpenter”. (John says: working on Hayman Island – who wouldn’t be singing)
John then moved on to play in a couple of Rock and Roll bands like 20 flight rock and the shakers.
In 1992 John moved to the Gold Coast and was a founding member of The Cadillacs where they had some success within the rock & roll community. He then moved on to form the Good Rockin Daddys, and has seen the band grow from strength to strength culminating in two tours of the South island of New Zealand, and also shows in Adelaide.
The hard work of the band has recently paid off with the band over the last two years being twice nominated for best production show in Queensland.
John’s other roles within the band are, together with Junior, otherwise known as Tony Jeffries, our esteemed lead singer, is to liase with agents and managers in regard to bookings for the band, work with Roger to develop the harmony structures, and to be chief coffee maker at his studio for rehearsals. (very important job)
(John says: The jokes and comradery of the band are a real highlight. I call Tony Junior because I know he likes to think he looks younger than me!)
John Stephens