John Smith? Who is it?

Question

They say "John Smith" is England's name most common

When you get the answer, you're going to say "c'mon!"

As you see it's almost all there at the start

Just a little "mark up" and we can race up the chart

To wit, this charming man is a sometime pretender

But recognize for how well he jangles the fender

Who is it?

Clue spoiler:

Irishpanda has most clues explained in the answer, except the "mark up" clue is more of a straight up word play. Our mystery man's last name is a synonym of mark (a marked up item can be said to be "marred") and the title or start of the puzzle "John Smith", with text inserted (or "marked up" in three wordplay meanings) gives both his name and primary affiliation: Johnny Marr, Smith.

Answer 1

He is

Johnny Marr

They say "John Smith" is England's name most common

When you get the answer, you're going to say "c'mon!"

As you see it's almost all there at the start

His name is John, and he was a member of The Smiths

Just a little "mark up" and we can race up the chart

Another word for mark is mar, a play on Marr.

To wit, this charming man is a sometime pretender

After the smiths, he played with the Pretenders. "Charming Man" is a Smiths' song.

But recognize for how well he jangles the fender

His trademark sound can be called "jangly" and he was known to play a Fender guitars.

Answer 2

Is it:

John Lennon

Reasoning:

They say "John Smith" is England's name most common

Pretty close to John Lennon, who is English

When you get the answer, you're going to say "c'mon!"

Reference to song Please Please me

As you see it's almost all there at the start

John Lennon is close to John Smith

Just a little "mark up" and we can race up the chart

Not sure

To wit, this charming man is a sometime pretender

Also not sure

But recognize for how well he jangles the fender

John Lennon was known for using a Fender Stratocaster as his guitar

Answer 3

Here's another go:

James Honeyman-Scott

Reasoning:

They say "John Smith" is England's name most common

James is close to John and he is from England

When you get the answer, you're going to say "c'mon!"

Could be a reference to Middle of the Road

As you see it's almost all there at the start

Same reasoning as the first line, first name is close to John, he is from England

Just a little "mark up" and we can race up the chart

Not sure about this one

To wit, this charming man is a sometime pretender

He is the lead guitarist for The Pretenders

But recognize for how well he jangles the fender

He is very well known for his guitar playing. His wife is also named Peggy Sue Fender