John (Johnny) Parker

John was a war time baby born in 1943. He started singing in the Sapphires band at 16 which had a regular dance in England Street called the Dolphin Lounge. He later joined the Wildcats just before he turned 17. John recorded his first record in 1960. The Wildcats went through a name change in 1962 and became the Downbeats. They soon built up a reputation as a great band to dance to at Spencer Street, the biggest dance in Christchurch at the time. 

The Downbeats also played for a new phenomenon called the Twist and were hired to play at the Coca Cola Twist Marathons which could go for several days at a time. John moved to Auckland in 1964 and joined the Sundowners Band. There John was called up in the 18 year olds Army Draft system and went into the army in 1965 which brought his career to an abrupt end. 

During his career John sang at venues with the Howard Morrison Quartet, Tony Williams, Dinah Lee, Max Merritt and the Meteors, John Rowles, The Chicks, Lou Prime, Bobby Davis and Ray Wolfe.

Johnny rejoined the singing fraternity in 2006 at the Spencer Street Revival in Christchurch Cathedral.