John Watson | Long Play Series

John Watson is the owner and president of John Watson Management and Eleven: A Music Company. Over the past 20 years the name Eleven has become synonymous with the philosophy of maintaining and developing the careers of a small roster of quality artists. The current Eleven roster comprises Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, Gotye, Midnight Oil, Missy Higgins, Paul Mac, The Presets and Silverchair.
Watson began his career in music as a teenager working at an independent record store and playing bass in local Townsville band, The Spliffs. In 1986, he relocated to Sydney where he spent his time managing the band, studying politics at university, and working as a freelance music journalist before taking a job in the A&R department of Sony Music.
In 1995, while working at Sony Music, Watson co-signed an up-and-coming group of 15 year olds from Newcastle known as Silverchair. With the band’s career taking off Watson left Sony to manage the band under the name John Watson Management.
In this interview with Tracee Hutchison, John Watson talks about his early days at Sony, Silverchair’s incredible rise to international fame, and signing Missy Higgins right out of school.
Interviewer: Tracee Hutchison
Location: Eleven Music, Sydney, 2017
For more Australian Music Vault stories and information visit www.australianmusicvault.com.au/
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music.

[@richalderson6069]

I went to same high school as John and saw his group The Spliffs when they played our graduation dance, it's amazing how well he's done.

[@DWINC]

Great guy Very nice to work with. Professional

[@mreuphoria2]

I believe Watson was the main reason Silverchair had so much success. Amazing person

[@markrigg6623]

I think, triple j had a bit to do with it.

[@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479]

Should of convinced them to stick to their hard rock formula. Silverchair went nowhere with their artsy music

[@Larry-Art179]

these interviews are great

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Great to hear you're enjoying them! There's plenty of interviews to watch!

[@patriciaschatz]

I find this interview by accident but I'm completely in love. What a wonderful person John Watson is!!!!

[@JarodFrank]

Wow, great interview!

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@joshdance9959]

Great interview. Thanks

[@SilverchairPodcast]

Fantastic interview. Thank you!

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcusseal8094]

I really enjoyed getting to know the full story of a great time in Australian music, thank-you Tracee and John!

[@tmnl8037]

I have no idea who this guy is. The John Watson that I know of and have met in the past is the drummer in Renee Geyer and James Reyne’s bands.This guy I have never heard of until now. This guy must have worked behind the scenes and not too well known.