local scene death

[getclosertothemusic]

Many thoughts and prayers to John's family and friends.

May he always rest in peace!!

Cathy and ED
GCTTM

[YankeeRose]

"There's no mistaking that voice",
is what I believe JP said to John
during the Classic Rock Clip, when John won the car-wash coupons.
When I read the thread, my mind immediately went to that memory, their shared laughter and how it made me smile, but of course that was something JP had to mention first.
My heart goes out to his girlfriend and bandmate, Sherry...I'm quite empathetic, but it's difficult to fathom the magnitude of her loss. My deepest condolences to all who Love and will miss him.

[TMHomer]

I knew John since he was a 14 year old kid, that came to my house in Hastings, and asked to borrow band equipment for a little gig that he and some other kids were putting together. Ever since that day he was a great friend of mine and a life long part of the brotherhood of Hastings musicians. I played in several bands with John ( The Smokin J's and Homer's Army) but what I treasure the most is memories of jamming with him at parties until the weeee hours of the morning up at Jaime's house.
From Tim,Chris,Joe,Jaime,Kelly and all the rest of the gang,



WE LOVE YOU MAN

[jaime joe]

John(Blubbo)Baker was a big man with an ever bigger heart. He was all about the "love". We have had some really great times and have created alot of memories with the big guy. He has made alot of parties better by playing his music. He will never be forgotten and will always be loved and will always, always hold very special places in all of our hearts. There is another big guy in the sky now ! Sitting on a cloud, playing his guitar, and watching over all of us....We love you John , stay strong Sherry, He knows you love him ! Our prayers are sent to you and all his family. Kelly and Jaime

[songsmith]

I met John a few times... though we never got to know one another well, I knew him as a very pleasant man with a workman-like attitude towards performing, which I could relate to closely. My condolences to his family and friends.------>JMS

[the herald]

I had a great time with John and sherri on the backyard acoustic special, one of the songs we did was Natalie Merchants "Carnival" he was a very nice guy and a great singer/guitar player. R.I.P.

[jaime joe]

In 1978 I played in my first band with John. I played the bass, which was as big as I was and John played Guitar. Since then I've played in several bands with John...including an Elvis impersonator band in the early 80's, but most recently in The Smokin' J's which also included Sherry, Joe, Tim, Angelo, Wally and many other guests. One of the funniest things I remember about John was when he used to wear those spandex pants when he played in the band Axis. Some of the best times of my life were spent with him. I will miss you deeply brother !!! ROCK ON ! Forever Your Friend, Jaime Dubetsky

[44guitar]

Hi I am using my friends computer to sign this thread.....I will always remember John and will never forget all the great times we shared together at a gig or just hanging out. I talked with John almost everyday.....He has been My closest friend for years. There will never be another John Baker.

I miss & love you John,
Your Brother,
Big Jim Dickson

[Peavey Fool]

I can remember the first time I met John at Mease's Springs when he was playing in Snakebite. My thoughts are with John's Family and I'm looking forward to the Tribute show.
Dunk

[facingwest]

Never in a million years would I've expected to hear about this and am completely shocked. John was one of the kindest and most warm hearted guys you'll ever meet. He also was a true thoroughbred when it came to music and never once had an ego about what he put to the table. It was always about the love. He gave 150% of himself every time he played. I've had the pleasure of jamming with him over the years in a few different reincarnations of the band Driving Sideways (That band went through way too many members over the years. ) and various acoustic sit-ins.

I'll never forget those moments playing Davies and The Valley Inn. We all used to make cracks because BigHead and John were on one side of the stage and I was on the other and was waiting for the stage to teeter (sp?). heh We had a lot of fun.

I remember back when I first start playing in a band called The Urge, we went to the St. Benedict community center to see an all ages show when he was in the band Axis. We were blown away by them and that moment was more fuel and a great kick in my ass for me to persue music. I owe that to John.

John had one hell of a range and could belt with the best. He could sing AC/DC and not even blink an eye about it. One of the last times I saw him was at the Acoustic Special II on the Backyard Rocker. Everyone in the room had a great time and it was nice just to do some full fledge jams.

I'm going to miss you my friend and hope God has a plan for you to keep on rockin in Heaven and bring great joy there as you have here on earth. I will always hold dear the inspiration you've made on me musically.

My heart and prayers go out to his family and especially Sherry.

Rest is peace my friend,

Junior

[Griff]

I first met John when I was a teenager, we became friends after that I jammed with him once with drivin sidways, it was allways a good time with john. I told my brother about it yesterday and he too is upset he played with john for 2 years and was a friend as many people were. He will be sadly missed.......... Mike Griffiths, and Jim Griffiths

[JeffLeeper]

That's a real shame.
I met John , most recently at the Helping Hands for Hastings Benefit.
He did a nice job , and he did it for free. Very friendly.
We've lost one of our own. God Bless you , John...and your family.

[BDR]

That's a real shame.
I met John , most recently at the Helping Hands for Hastings Benefit.
He did a nice job , and he did it for free. Very friendly.
We've lost one of our own. God Bless you , John...and your family.

I just watched that performance on video the other night.

Damn, John was a showman.

r:>)

[the herald]

This is awful news. I'm literally in a state of shock as this news sinks in. John just won two car wash coupons off of me last week and we were laughing about it on the air!

i remember that i coudnt get through it was van halen ice cream man right?? the clip was during eddies lead wo that is weird.

[jkonior]

Does anybody ever know what to say in these situations? I know I don't. So I'll just start riffin'...

Many of John Baker's friends and musical comrades got together Friday after the wake, at the Home Plate in Hastings, for a Funeral Jam. Besides myself, the musicians included Tony Mastran, Sam Pagano, Paul Miller, Tim Homerski, Angelo Pompa, Bob Gray and Jaime Dubetsky. It was great to see everybody in a lighter mood and celebrating life, as John would have wanted it. It was genuinely moving. I am thankful for the brotherhood.

It gets you thinking...I saw lots of posts from other musicians here on the Rockpage...

I've been friends with John since the 70's. This gives me the pleasure of remembering some of his more obscure and unique musical combos. Who remembers the Elvis impersonator band he played in, "Fabulous El and the Blue Mist" (featuring Carl Bennett as Elvis)? Or his little-known early 80's recording project, "Johnny Toilet and the 4 Flushers" (I was one of the "Flushers")? What about the mysterious sounds of The Sweetleaf Orchestra? or his innumerable acoustical lineups? Ah, the memories!

My thoughts go out to John's family and friends. I wish you all the best.

Rest in peace John Baker.

[KMFDM ROB]

Holy shit, I cannot believe this has happened.

Just in Septemberish I was jamming with John. We were working on a group, with Sherry, to front the band. John wanted to take a step back, and have her front the band, for a female fronted project.

There was some turmoil going on in my life at the time (my pap was dying of cancer) and I had to walk away from the project to have some time with him. At first, I was trying to do both things, but every moment I had, instead of practicing in my spare time, I would go to see Pap. I was actually thinking about calling John, because pap passed away, and I've gotten my head back on my shoulders, and was going to jam with him again.


I cannot believe this about John. He was so damn nice, so damn caring. He was a great guy, would have done anything for anyone, had a hell of a voice, and could play whatever he wanted to.

I'm so sad now, that I didn't get to work with him longer.

John, rest in peace friend.

If anyone wants to organize something, were we send Sherry a card, with a few bucks, I'd be glad to contribute.

[Lux Interior]

I do remember many of Johns early musical projects, and as a fellow Flusher (Johnny Toilet and the Flushers) I'm very honered to say I was part of some of them. I think I still have the tape that we made way back in that winter of 1981.

I remember John as a musician, but I more so remember him as a friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. The world has lost one of the good ones.
Love you Johnny,
Tony Mastran

[Mo Lester]

I hate to chime in so late, but I can say only what has been said, what a great joy it was to be in the company of John Baker. We took a trip to the beach once where Paul, Angelo and John got a room in OC, MD. Paul and John of course took Samantha and Sherri, but Ang became bitchless in the meantime so he took Dale Nitty and me instead. I remember it raining a lot, but do not remember much more. I think we took guitars, but, aye yiy yiy, what a week it was! Paul and I were just reminising about it a few weeks ago when I sent him a picture from that trip.
I have read the sad fact that most people die with their music still inside of them, which should scare some motivation into all of us who call ourselves artists, though I have yet to complete anything because I wank around so much.
I am glad that Johnny got some of his music out on CD, hence he lives on..........
Remember, my friends, do what you feel GOD put you here to do!
I love ya John, I'll be listening to your CD so that I can still hear your voice. I hope Sherry still has some copies of their stuff for people to hear, also.
and may the Peace and Strength of the Lord be with Sherri and John's family

[Jones]

Over the weekend I found a copy of a Super Fat Tuesday show if anyone is interested in a copy. It's just a rough board mix, but it's something.