John Barnett - Biography

Vocals, percussion, harmonica


Born: Stockport, Cheshire

Influences: Ian Gillan, W.Axl Rose, Glenn Hughes

Emigrated to Gibraltar in 1982, where I remained until 1997.

At 16 I learnt to play guitar but not very well so I decided to concentrate on singing!

January 1992 age 18, I joined the cast in the Alpha Group Production of Jesus Christ Superstar and commenced rehearsals. April 1992 I performed in Jesus Christ Superstar at St Micheal's Cave, Gibraltar. May 1992 I formed a band called Self Inflicted and in July 1992 played their  first ever live performance on GBC television playing a cover of Metallica's Enter Sandman. September 1992 the band changes its name to Sympathy for the Blonde and played their first paying gig at the Trafalgar Tavern pub - live music was now in the blood. Sympathy was short, explosive and sweet.

    I returned to England in 1997, did some DJ'ing at a nightclub before joining Sibling Rivalary  in October 2003 for a short tenure. On leaving this band we formed Purple.