After a European tour, Jane Relf left to be replaced by American singer Binky Cullom. Hawken formed a new lineup of the band with former Nashville Teens members Terry Crowe, Michael Dunford, and Neil Korner, as well as session drummer Terry Slade. During the recording of the band's second album, Keith Relf, McCarty, and Cennamo departed.

The band's self-titled debut album was released in October 1969, followed by an American tour in early 1970. Ī short time later Jane Relf joined on vocals and Renaissance was born, with a line-up of Keith and Jane Relf, McCarty, Hawken and Cennamo. Cole and Dreja subsequently dropped out of the project. Hawken turned up at McCartys' house in Thames Ditton, along with bass player Louis Cennamo, Dreja and Cole. In early 1969 Hawken got a telephone call from McCarty asking if he was interested in the new project. Dreja, aware that his former Yardbirds colleagues Jim McCarty and Keith Relf were putting together a new band, suggested Hawken as a possible member. In late 1968 former Yardbird Chris Dreja, John Hawken and steel player Brian (B.J.) Cole were going to form a country-rock band, to be managed by Peter Grant and produced by Mickey Most, but they never got beyond the rehearsal stage. Īlthough subsequent records failed to equal the success of 'Tobacco Road,' the band worked steadily until Hawken moved on late in 1968. Neil and John Hawken also worked together from time to time in a popular London pick-up band, Frankie Reid & The Powerhouse, which also featured Dana Gillespie on vocals and occasionally, the saxophone section from Cliff Bennett's Rebel Rousers, plus John Knightsbridge on guitar (later of Illusion). Peter Harris left the group in 1966 and was replaced on bass by Neil Korner, formerly of The New Vaudeville Band. The band went to the US in late 1964 to play the 'Murray the K' Christmas show at the Fox Theater in Brooklyn and subsequently toured extensively in England and Europe. 'I was delighted to be playing piano for both of them, in addition to playing the Nashville Teens set', said Hawken.

In 1964 (now minus Terry Crowe and with Barry Jenkins on drums) The Nashville Teens signed a management contract and recorded ' Tobacco Road,' at the same time touring with Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins on their first tour of England. This line-up turned professional in 1963 and went to Germany to play in the clubs (including Hamburg's Star-Club).

John Allen soon joined on lead guitar after Dunford's departure, and Terry Crowe joined as a third singer. In 1962, The Cruisers Rock Combo were joined by singers Ray Phillips and Arthur Sharp to form The Nashville Teens. The band included future Renaissance guitarist Michael Dunford. He took an interest in Rock and roll and, in 1960, joined his first rock band – the Cruisers Rock Combo. He trained in classical piano from the ages of 5 until 18, prompted by his mother Dorothy Constance Hawken, who was formally trained as both a pianist and painter from an early age. He also played in Spooky Tooth, Third World War, Vinegar Joe, Illusion, as well as being a session musician. John Christopher Hawken is an English keyboard player, best known as a member of The Nashville Teens, Renaissance, and the Strawbs.

Hawken tobacco