[2] Born to a Jamaican father and an English mother in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, Watson's early influences covered the whole spectrum of both black and white music.
From an early age he showed a musical talent, initially for the piano, but then for the guitar and astounded fellow schoolmates at Deacon's Grammar School with his performance in the Annual House Competitions.
Watson was an early adopter of the wah-wah pedal and one Saturday afternoon, in the late 1960s, the Soul Mates brought Peterborough traffic to a halt playing Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and various Hendrix numbers on the steps of Peterborough's ancient Guild Hall in Cathedral Square.
In 1972, Watson won the solo category of the coveted Melody Maker Folk/Rock competition and two days later appeared on BBC Television's The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Following his success, he went on to open shows for David Bowie and did two British tours, one supporting King Crimson and the other one for Roxy Music.