John The Ted

John The Ted - Potters Bar

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Sadly John died in November 2021 aged 75. As promised, John was buried in his drapes, brothel creepers and his bootlace tie. Amazingly, he was still living in the same house shown in this documentary. R.I.P. John 🙏

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@Pendejos325 It's was a typo. Fixed now. Thanks for pointing out.

[@mrsolodolo5770]

Lovely that he stayed true to his word till the end. Thanks for sharing that

[@latteoatmeal7807]

@@Pendejos325 2021

[@latteoatmeal7807]

how do you know? where did you get the info? thanks

[@dirkbecker7666]

Keep on rockin' in heaven John.

[@TheFrogfrog1]

Massive respect to John, you are only here once, be yourself and do what ever makes you happy.

[@darz_k.]

Is that you in your profile pic? Stunning. If you don't mind me saying.

[@ignignokt-6050]

69 likes. Nice.

[@TheDieselbutterfly]

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul

[@sexobscura]

@@TheDieselbutterfly *Cliché*

[@ivorwindybottom7364]

Used to be a fella down our local who went full Teddy every Sunday. People like that make the world a better place.

[@inkysteve]

There's a bloke down the chip shop swears he's Elvis.

[@sourceawry4035]

Life is so much better when we keep something to look forward to.

[@johngilmore697]

@@inkysteve You mean Elvis from down the chippy?

[@balke7935]

22 years! The interviewer was shocked by that… today that takes us back to the year 2000. Nobody would bat an eyelid if we dressed like someone from 2000 today. It just goes to show how much things changed between the late 50s and 1980! Fashion, music, society. Everything so dull and homogenous today.

[@sa-y-pinsayapin1039]

50-60 золотое время. Мне 73, а я ещё там!

[@balke7935]

@@sa-y-pinsayapin1039 keep on rocking man, don’t ever stop 💪🏼

[@jonathanj.7344]

Totally. Fashion and music hit the buffers in the 1990s.

[@ConstantThrowing]

That has actually happened, though. Kids now are dressing like I did as a kid in the 2000s. It's just accepted and encouraged now because it's popular and marketable.

[@Globe14]

@@ConstantThrowing fashion has plateaued. There is no identity fashion anymore. It ended after the grunge era of the 90s. Now DM boots and beards are still sported but they are weak identifiers.

[@jackglossop4859]

That little lad dancing with his mum whilst his dad watches on proudly. That’s a fucking family right there. Do what makes you happy people 😇

[@AlbertAnastasia.]

This is very wholesome. The guy is doing what he likes, what makes him happy and has the confidence to go on TV and tell everyone he doesn't care what they think (which would have been a huge deal back then). We are sitting watching him 40ish years later. A decade longer than the 30 year difference from the 50s to the 80s. Maybe people judged him then but what are they remembered for? Someone said in the comments that the little boy is embarrassed now by the video - fair and valid if that's how he feels but if it was me, I could never be embarrassed of this. John reached the Zenith: To experience life in whichever way makes him happy without any influence from the herd. Shout out to all the Johns of the world.

[@WorldCupWillie]

The boy would be getting on for 50, I doubt he’s embarrassed by a priceless piece of film of him dancing with his mum and dad.

[@joepeterson2819]

What a guy! Bet he cheered up everybody he met, he just cheered me up

[@danielmason7611]

He definitely did that!

[@PSUK]

100% with ya there!!!

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Yeah, John was so cheerful and jolly in the interview

[@lonewizzard8456]

Rockin' Bones. The music, the style, the soul and the dedication. I always thought of Lemmy as a really heavy badass Ted.

[@rickcuster8661]

Every town had a lone Ted in 70’s & 80’s. Loved seeing him walking down the road carrying his radio, you always saw people doing that, playing their music, no AirPods in those days, brought back memories!!

[@brianharris7986]

I love this guy. What a rocker, what a family.

[@alfwilliams5446]

I used to work with someone a lot like John the Ted. Makes the world a better place.

[@mattiassvanberg8292]

Are your name really Alf?

[@JBN1983]

It is interesting to think about how many subcultures started in Britain: Punk, Goth, Rave, Blitz Kids, New Romantics, Mods, and Teds to name a few.

[@someroob7915]

Punk started in U.S.A. True story.

[@JBN1983]

@@someroob7915 the whole punk rock style with Mohawks, chains, bondage pants, Doc Marten boots, etc originated in the UK.

[@Weird-City]

Aww that little kid was so cute all done up as a Ted like his daddy :) What a nice family.

[@bennyellie]

I classed myself as a mod between the 80s and 90s, you had to be something at school, mod, trendy, skin, scooterboy and rocker. Nowadays you're whatever the mainstream throws at you docile, no spirit of dissent, robot, (apart from goths.)

[@marcdelente2456]

J'ai 63 ans et suis toujours resté fidèle au rock'n'roll et je n envisage pas de changer il en sera ainsi jusqu' à mon dernier . Bravo pour ce documentaire et cette famille rockabilly dans l âme.

[@toboldygo5823]

I love Ted’s hairstyle it was called a jelly roll, and his wife’s hair was called a bouffant bee hive. 😎👍🏻❤️‍🔥✨ i’ve always loved England and its people ❤

[@ZeldaFitz]

This bloke is a legend

[@petacampbell4466]

Absolutely Wowwww get meee the hell back in time 😩 best times ever

[@helmutsecke3529]

L E D G E !

[@121mcvUK]

1982 Johnny Mason, Potters Bar ted Excellent piece broadcast on Thames television about 1982 about Johnny Mason who was living the perfect ted lifestyle. Ted at 13 about 1960 and still rockin’ in 1982 - that’s dedication for you. Some of us have missuses who are not particularly into rock’n’roll but look how nice it is when the whole household is into it. Great, he says, a tad bit envious!

[@philiphallam463]

The good old days will never be forgotten and will live forever

[@andrewcox2810]

Fair Play to him and his family.Fantastic era 1950/60s.Very nostalgic.

[@ronniechilds2002]

I think they're a nice family. Their son is absolutely adorable.

[@davidsherry6970]

Brilliant, love seeing folk being an individual and embracing what they love

[@RonShiel]

Great vid. I am 76 living now in Finistere Brittany France. There are lots of us over here 99% French and I have 1300+ French Rock n Roll/ Teddy boy & girl friends. Live is good. Long live Rock n Roll!!!

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Who are you?

[@mattiassvanberg8292]

1300+ friends?! I have like three friends......

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@RonShiel Why can't you take photos at a Teddyboy event?

[@christopherfisher6293]

When I was growing up, you kept well out of the way of Teddy Boys!! They were rough, tough & hard!! Good on you mate!! From a 60's Mod!!

[@david-pb4bi]

Ye, I remember that was born 1953, was a bit too young to be a ted but remember the older kids on street corner being teddy boys.

[@TurdFerguson101]

I was apprenticed by a former Teddy Boy, and he was as tough as nails.🍁

[@derin111]

Same from a ‘70s Punk. I was born in 1963. So I was 14-15 in 1977-78. Those Teds were mostly a lot older than us kids. Often used to carry razors. They were cunts! 🤣

[@traingirl1843]

Loved these people. I hope they're ALL still around and rocking. Lovely happy family.

[@nicocacci4070]

What a cracking little kid..rockin hair👍

[@deeppurple883]

He's so cute, good luck whatever floats your boat. There are always eccentrics. GB is full of them. ☘️

[@Chasing28Smith12]

Little Ted... bless in his 50s now

[@Wearethewingmakers]

This video will be forever with me now. to remind myself to always do what makes you happy. ❤

[@paulbarrett22]

as a young mod in the late 70s i can confirm there were plenty of teds about in the city centres on a saturday afternoon and they werent shy when it came to confrontations 🤣

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

Staying true to yourself through changes in culture and trends. I dig and respect that. I hope that kid is in a rockabilly or psychobilly band now.

[@colinrobbins4095]

a awesome guy rock on john i was 13 in 56 birth of rock n roll lucky still got my quiff and a rocker

[@Paddy.C]

-"You're going back 25 years!" I still dress pretty much the same as I did in the '90s, and it's no big deal.

[@michaelmarron8441]

Jeans & a fleece ain't crepes and drapes though

[@mcpartridgeboy]

I thought that but i was in a show about the 90s and the clothes actually are pretty different.

[@Petey_Ouspensky]

That is the coolest! I love their attitude, of " So what if you don't like it? " I tripped over this purely by accident and was smiling throughout. Thanks so much!

[@craigevans7415]

Quality, I hope you all are still alive and well and still listening to the same music as it hasn’t aged. I was a and still am a big shaking stevens and elvis fan. Music never goes out of fashion. Long live the teds 👊🏽

[@gazfisher7391]

Brilliant. Some of my fondest memories of people dancing together are when I was twelve and listening to rock 'n' roll. I still love it today and I play jungle,techno,reggae, and dub. Every now and then I stick Gene Vincent or Johnny Burnette on the wheel of steel , tweak the bass and mid then let rip. "Blue jean baby..."

[@baabaabaa2293]

I was bought up in the punk era...but l still got dad's Burnette Trio & Vincent LPs.

[@slicksnewonenow]

@@baabaabaa2293 man... The Burnette Brothers WERE the original Punks! Cheers 😁

[@rareblues78daddy]

Seeing Graham take an interest in what his parents were into actually brought a tear to my eyes. Wish more kids were that loved by their parents these days.

[@chasleask8533]

You have to say the little 'un looked really good . I wonder where he is now .

[@iainrobertson3328]

I wonder if they are still teddy boys now

[@krishnan-resurrection714]

Graham is still dancing away .....

[@TimmyJamesDafunnyMan]

I’m 27 I may not wear the clothes but I love the music especially Elvis and I have been listening to the music my whole life

[@rareblues78daddy]

@@krishnan-resurrection714 I truly hope he is.

[@milesgeary6358]

That kid is cool. Hope he's still rocking

[@johnnyveganite9141]

@@simonirvine1628 Yes let's all be robotic, dress the same , speak the same, act the same, all think the same. Nice one pleb. Work, buy, consume, die is your mantra no doubt.

[@mikejones-go8vz]

@@simonirvine1628 or a minion

[@gitsurfer27]

@@simonirvine1628 That's kids WAY cooler than you'll ever be.

[@arejaycee5484]

​@@simonirvine1628 Ohh wee bit jealous mate never had the baws tae stand oot gadge.

[@arejaycee5484]

@@simonirvine1628 Of course and Lang May Yir Lum Reek 👍

[@Skinhead-201]

Had I been older I'd have been a Ted. Absolutely love em and the music.

[@michaeltoner1993]

almost as good as ska

[@Skinhead-201]

@@michaeltoner1993 Every bit as good as Ska.

[@WestfaliaStuff]

The real fathers of the mods and essentially every British youth culture that followed.

[@martynanstis1620]

Well done that guy, do what you want and don’t worry about what others think.

[@Chasing28Smith12]

ROCK N ROLL will never die

[@mummyd1990]

Always liked the Ted's, then I became a punk,then skinhead back in the day,this is great stuff.

[@ian_b]

When I was a kid there were still quite a few ageing Teddy Boys around (70s-early 80s).

[@taffwob]

They had a bit of a revival in the 70's. I remember seeing more Teddy boys than punks back then .

[@shamsoni]

I’m nearly 60 still dress up as an 80s glam rocker motley Crue Hanoi rocks 🤟🏿🤟🏿🤟🏿way of life

[@kiltedbill7594]

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORN KILTS EVERY DAY FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS I COMPLETELY LOVE TO SEE SOMEONE WHO DANCES TO HIS OR HER OWN DRUMMER! THEY LOOK FANTASTIC, INTERESTING AND HAPPY. GOOD ON YOU BOTH!!

[@asfan]

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING

[@mjh5437]

That little kid looks like a very young James Dean,so sweet!

[@normanpolland713]

The Teds were one of best dressed men you could meet long live them ☘️

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Did we watch the same video? John looked like a right scruff!

[@ZeldaFitz]

I grew up around Finsbury Park during this era, I can definitely remember rocker Billy’s around then as well as a few die hard Teds, the whole scene got a bit pushed aside as the mod revival started up around 1978, not to mention the skins, sole boys, punks, rasta’s and metler’s. I agree with the earlier comment about 1970s Teds being a bit of a send up of the original ones, I think Mud,Darts and shawadywady were to blame for that.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

I remember sole boys. They were obsessed with the bottoms of peoples shoes

[@keithrobertson5110]

Don't change John you look just fine.

[@nigel900]

The dog is like… “WTF?!”

[@paulwally9007]

The questions are so patronising. Kudos to John.

[@ssmann44]

~Long Live King John~

[@simonadkins9929]

I bet that kid had a very happy childhood

[@stop-the-greed]

What a legend R.I.P John .

[@raymondmonk1879]

Wow what a lovely blast from the past.

[@Bloomcycle]

This guy is great. A true Rocker 👌

[@stevenford727]

Los Teds eran geniales y coloridos y qué más se puede decir sobre la música Rock n Roll de los años 50 pero fantástico. John, que sigas Rockin in Heaven

[@felixmarsh6026]

Lovely little film. Cool family.

[@johngraham5996]

when you look at how youths are dressed today with ripped jeans and their arse hanging out then john the ted looks respectable, good on him for sticking to his values and beliefs and not letting others change him

[@FingerANumber]

I'm a Rockabilly rebel from head to toe , I'm gunna keep rocking everywhere i go, everybody join us for good company ... I'm a real cool cat I'm a rocker billy rebel that's me. 💃👍💃✌💃

[@WeOutHere]

Good for John and his family having some fun and expressing themselves in such grim conformist surroundings!

[@garethcraddock9971]

This was fascinating. Is John still about? He'd be around 75 now. Be great to think him and the family are still rocking...

[@gavinnightingale723]

John died a few years ago. The little lad is no longer into rock 'n' roll and is embarrassed about the video. His grandson says this in the comments further down.

[@garethcraddock9971]

@@gavinnightingale723 Cheers, Gavin. Well God Bless him; that was a lovely thing to watch and good for him for living his life the way he wanted to. His son has got nothing to be embarrassed about.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@gavinnightingale723 Graham needs to get his Brylcream out, put his teddy boppers on and get back onto the dance floor and prove his pudding. No-one likes a quitter

[@darz_k.]

@@JohnSmith-su3ze Facts.

[@ML-dh6ly]

would love an update ☺️

[@nightowl7459]

@M L Out of curiosity, but I'm sure if there was one? We would both be disappointed.

[@ML-dh6ly]

@@nightowl7459 most probably 😂

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

When times were simpler as John and Shirley proved 😅😅😅😅❤❤

[@markyeadon7541]

Good on um!!!! Rock and roll will never die!

[@MrHarryHewitt1983]

Adorable little lad. He has great taste in music 🎶

[@Dandroid5000]

Hmmmm, not so sure about the Shakey...

[@terrapyn99]

@@Dandroid5000 Who can judge a 5-year-old for liking Shakey?

[@couchcamperTM]

@@terrapyn99 I liked him when I was 11, THAT'S bad lol (born in 73)

[@VirginiaWolf88]

Very cool video!!!! Love the styles!!!

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

FFW to 2022 and 50s r&r is still admired by millions around the globe.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Millions? Then why do Tommy Steele videos on youtube only have 20,000 views?

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

@@JohnSmith-su3ze I wouldn't class Tommy Steele as a great R&Rer.When you think of Buddy Holly who was only at his peak for a few years yet his songs are far more memorable n than Tommy Steeles.Elvis himself is admired by millions let alone all the other worth while artists.50s R&R was far more than how many plays Tommy Steele has.

[@terrapyn99]

@@JohnSmith-su3ze Tommy was Britain's answer to Elvis. He is still performing in his 80s.

[@GilbertSyndrome]

At the end of the day, if you're not hurting anyone, do what you want to do if it makes you happy, innit.

[@janinemills6732]

This came up in my feed, no idea why,but so glad it did! Awesome!

[@IanScott80]

Better dressed then a pair of trackie bottoms or branded sweaters.

[@jamesdean1143]

According to my calculations, this was circa. 1981.

[@shanetaylor8000]

I’m 48 and growing up there was always the odd “Teddy Boy” dotted around where I lived. They just couldn’t let go..

[@jkb2016]

As long as you don't hurt anyone, stick with whatever makes you happy!

[@dirtycaine]

Brilliant!!! ❤

[@ascottishview694]

wonder where they are now and hope they still rock to the wildcat beat

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

John died last year. Shirley and Graham are still alive

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

Rock n Roll never went out of fashion.

[@TheUKMediaWatch]

Gotta have a flickcomb 😎💯 rock n roll , RIP - BUDDY HOLLY

[@Clogmonger]

Interviewer asking about his clothes, I’m just stuck on his hair/chops. They’re glorious.

[@markcbb]

That kid is great , I wonder if he's still rockin'?

[@dirtycaine]

‘They say your a little baby Ted’ hahah

[@mrpensive7341]

The music is too lively it's too good, he got that right!!, 51... and I'm still loving Rockabilly!! Always will....l oh and Teddyboy music as well of course!!....;-) LOL

[@phil393]

Im 55 and still into rockabilly- and always will be

[@ianmcilwraith4479]

I'm a mod and John is a legend keeping it real 😎

[@benmacdui9328]

Mod means "modernist" and was a 60s fashion. If you dress like that then you aint a mod by definition. Youre playing 60s fancy dress and look stupid.

[@terrapyn99]

@@benmacdui9328 If Ian chooses to self-indentify as a Mod, have the respect to treat him as a Mod.

[@ianmcilwraith4479]

@@benmacdui9328 your parties must be a right laugh ffs. I'm well aware what the term is short for and the original modernists grew out of the 50s Jazz scene. I'm sorry wearing 60s influences isn't your thing though. I'm sure you look great 👍

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Brilliant, good on them. 👍🏆🎼🕺🏻🇬🇧

[@sigspearthumb3249]

I enjoyed the companion piece to this, where they interviewed Ted the John.

[@bellestarr6484]

What lovely innocent people. Thank you.

[@AthelstanEngland]

The little lad was great!!

[@BigAli81]

The young boys superb, he’s happy so live and let live 👌

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

Thanks for this.

[@61sven]

Strange interview, I’m guessing it comes from the early 80s, inferring this guy was a bit of a freak but in the early 80s there was a thriving Ted and Rockabilly community around East and North London. Although I never saw anyone in a drape jacket quite so lairy. Pubs like the Old Maypole in Hainault were packed out every weekend with everyone in 50s gear and they had live bands like Flying saucers, matchbox and Crazy Cavan. There was also the Green Gate in Barkingside, and the Angel in Tottenham that had Rock n Roll nights. I remember one of the DJs was called Rebel Ed, and I seem to remember the guy before him at the Maypole was Jim? There was also a shop in Romford selling Ted clothing and shoes. I myself was a young guy around this time only 18 or 19 and was both a Ted and later a Rockabilly, and had a brilliant time. I used to go to a shop called Flip around Liverpool Street to buy genuine 50s American clothing. Of course there was also many more Mods, Rude Boys, Skin Heads and Soul Boys out there as well which frequently led to confrontations out on the street, and around Romford market for example. Youth culture now has nothing to compare. Going into the Maypole on a Satruday night was like stepping back in time, and you got a sense of belonging. Great music and great times.

[@jamesdean1143]

Flip was in Curtan Road in Shoreditch. I saw Paul Ansell working there.

[@waynefarrellvoiceovers]

Outstanding!

[@PutItAway101]

Just because the world around you is boring doesn't mean you have to be boring!

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Really liked this little clip. The little kid, Graham is a real sweet isn't he! I wonder what they're doing now. Good luck to them and keep rockin'!

[@baabaabaa2293]

That's Billy Idol before heroin.

[@PSUK]

Is this lovely geezer still with us? Anybody know? 🙂

[@taffwob]

Died last year in November, sadly. Buried in his full Ted regalia, stayed true to himself to the end. Got to respect the guy

[@PSUK]

@@taffwob oh how sad. 😢Thanks for letting us all know

[@pipfield1901]

Flying Saucer poster made my day!

[@jamesdean1143]

I preferred the Whirlwind one.

[@williamglover3625]

John the Ted unfortunately was struck by lightning in Scotland in 1987 god bless John the legend.

[@michaeltoner1993]

really? that's quite bad luck

[@asfan]

what an absolute legend.

[@melanieheinrich3046]

Little baby Ted ❤

[@sisyphussapprentice8976]

Small point but "teddy boys" where around before rock-'n'-roll arrived on our shores. Although both will still be remembered long after the last "ted" hangs up his draped jacket for the final time.

[@adrinathegreat3095]

Yea that's true, they showed up around 1951 and use to listen to big band music as that was what was popular in England back then. Very different style to what the 70s colourful Ted's were, back then you'd have been chased down the street for dressing up like a member of showaddywaddy or rocky Sharpe and the replays.

[@sisyphussapprentice8976]

@@adrinathegreat3095 Most of us crossed over the road if we saw two or three of them heading in our direction. Though I am too young to remember, they say the "razor gangs" that preceded them were even worse.

[@someroob7915]

Yeah; they were doin’ the Lambeth walk ;)