John's Children, formerly The Silence, were a 1960s proto-punk band from Leatherhead, Surrey (UK) that existed from 1964 to 1968. Its members were Andy Ellison (vocals), Geoff McLelland (guitar, 1964-67), Chris Townson (drums, guitar), John Hewlett (bass), Marc Bolan (guitar, 1967, later of T. Rex fame) and Chris Colville (drums). Their manager was Simon Napier-Bell, who devised white stage outfits and an outrageous stage act which included fighting each other and Bolan whipping the stage with a chain.