local scene death

[Jones]

John Baker died yesterday. Early reports say heart attack. What a big hit to the local music scene this is. John has been a big part of the local scene for years and was hands down one of the best musicians I've ever played with. All around good guy, would give you the shirt off his back.....course for most of us it'd be a bit big. Wow, what do you say about a guy of that calibur? Rest in peace buddy, we love ya!

[Killjingle]

Sorry to hear that.

My condolences to the family and friends of John Baker.

[bassist_25]

Wow...

For once, I'm at a lose for words. I know John's daughter, Katie, very well. I just don't know what to say.

[BDR]

This is horrible news ... I'm speechless.

Rest in peace, friend ...



John at Helping Hands For Hastings, summer 2005.

r:>)

[HBSPro]

Worked with john once or twice (sorry to hear about his death)

my best to his friends and family

[Hubast]

The world wont be the same without John. So many people loved him and his big heart. He was one of best entertainers ever. We LOVE YOU JOHN and hope to see you again in Heaven.

John Passarelli

[bassist4life2004]

Damn...I don't know what to say. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Helping Hands For Hastings benefit. He was such an incredible musician and a great guy. When he played that day he really lit up. I can't believe he passed away.

[J Michaels]

John and I played together for a while in Chucklehead (along with HuBast), and I can honestly say that John was truly one of the nicest, most genuinely sweet people you'd ever meet. The biggest teddy bear I have ever seen.....

May he rest in peace.........

[Lisa]

OH my....John just played Sat...I was to call him and book him and Sherry again....sad

[paul]

I was sleeping last night when i got a few calls about Johnny. Two were from Sheri and one was from Big Jim. I didnt find out about it though till this morning and i am still in shock.
I have played with Johnny for 6 or 7 years (Driving Sideways, Super Fat Tuesday and Tugger for a little while) and he was one of the sweetest guys that you would ever want to meet and he also had one of the biggest hearts around, who would always be there when you needed him. We hadn't hung out a lot over the past year as we both had different things going on musically , but had managed to go out a couple times over the past few months and do some acoustic stuff with him. Actually the wife and I just went and hung out with him, Sheri and Jim the day before yesterday and had talked about recording some stuff and he seemed fine. But you never know what or when things are going to happen.
God Bless Johnny we will miss you but we wont ever forget you.
Paul

[Jones]

Gary Easly Funeral Home
333 Beaver St
Hastings PA 16646

Friday 2-9
Services Saturday @ 11

Found address through a net search so not absolutely certain on that....phone number is 814 247 6544

[Bag]

John and I played together for a while in Chucklehead (along with HuBast), and I can honestly say that John was truly one of the nicest, most genuinely sweet people you'd ever meet. The biggest teddy bear I have ever seen.....

May he rest in peace.........

I thought I recognized him in that picture but couldn't remember from where. That really sucks. He was a very good guitar player.

R.I.P. John.

[YankeeRose]

My sympathy to his family and all of his friends. Yet another sad example that life is way too short...we simply never know and should try to make every moment count....

[ToonaRockGuy]

I'm just floored by this news. Like BDRob, I was lucky enough to be at the "Helping Hands For Hastings" benefit, and enjoyed John's playing and conversation tremendously. I was lucky enough to share the stage with John once, at a Banditos show just a few months ago, where Billy invited John and Sherry to be honorary Banditos and play the entire night with us. It was a great night of fun and music, and I'll miss John a lot. I'll always treasure the few memories that I have of him. God Bless, John.

[BDR]

I was lucky enough to share the stage with John once, at a Banditos show just a few months ago, where Billy invited John and Sherry to be honorary Banditos and play the entire night with us. It was a great night of fun and music, and I'll miss John a lot.

I caught a set of that show ... last time I saw John. Fittingly, he was doing what he loved best.

r:>)

[HurricaneBob]

Oh man, Not John....

I met John somewhere back in the 80's and always loved his playing.
He loved his Wild Turkey also, wouldnt even faze him.
Here's to a real player and a real friend. RIP

[Jones]

Oh man, the wild turkey! I certainly had a few of those with John. One of my favorite Baker stories........I was filling in for Jodon in Tugger one night at the Osceola Hotel. Well, the band set up in front of a big ass window so we had put up a backdrop. Well, John was on this candles on stage kick......so each of the three of us have a candle, shoved into what I remember to be a turkey bottle. About halfway through the first set John's candle catches the backdrop on fire. I tried my best to get John's attention but he was way too into the tune we were playing.....luckily one of the roadies spotted the flames and came up to put it out. Wow was that one HOT show!
Miss ya buddy!

[cruseaudio]

I met him a long time ago at one of his shows, I have seen about 3 more since. He was a fun, funny, and outgoin kinda guy, and his playing -he made look effortless. Now we have to miss another great local talent. Heres to ya friend. W Trky

condolences to all his family and friends

[Jim Price]

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 first met John back in the 80's, when one of his bands at the time (name escapes me at the moment) was playing at Charlie's Tavern in Dysart (now the Coal Car Saloon). We've been good friends since, and we always liked to shoot the breeze about music and other stuff whenever we would run into each other.

I saw John in a number of bands, but will best remember him and his girlfriend, Sherry Lender, and the fun times I had seeing them perform together, and having them on the "Backyard Rocker" several times. Last year, they were my guests during the AFC Championship Game - devout Steelers fans all of us, we consoled each other on the air when New England beat the Steelers.

My heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with Sherry, John's family, friends and current/former bandmates. John was one helluva nice guy, a fine musician, and a good friend. I will miss you John, rest in peace!

[44guitar]

I played with John thousands of times....I was the Lead Guitarist for Tugger.....John was a true brother to me....We spent many nights, like the rest of you do, rocking out, sweating, and just having a blast on stage.....So much that you never think of it ending......the words are hard to come by. John and I shared the stage so many times and I have so many memories of laughter and delight from those times. God Bless this man and watch over Joey and Katie.

You will be missed,
Love Ya Brutha.
Chris Kane

[banditos]

Wow,seriously shocking news.Just saw Johnny a few months ago when him and Sherry filled in a Banditos show at Burgis.Great guy,awesome talent,and alot of fun to hang out with.I'm at a total loss of words except to extend deepest sympathy to Sherry,the kids,and the rest of Johnnys' huge extended family.Him and I spent a few birthdays together as we're born one day apart.I'll miss ya brother and see you on the other side.Peace,Billy

[Jim Price]

I got off the phone with Sherry Lender a few minutes ago. She told me that a benefit concert in memory of John will be taking place at Electric Avenue in Houtzdale sometime very soon; as soon as I get word on the date, I'll report it here.

Also, I will be devoting the last half hour of the Feb. 12 edition of Q94's "Backyard Rocker" in John's memory. I will be doing a tribute to him, including his songs in different projects, as well as clips from some of his previous "Backyard Rocker" appearances. The tribute will start at around 9:30 PM.

[homerski]

I woke up this morning at about 5:30 to this note on the table from my wife: "John Baker died yesterday of a heart attack". WOW!!

As others have said, he was one the nicest happy-go-lucky people you would ever want to meet.

I remember Johnny as a kid in the early '80's sitting right up front with Joe Konior and Gerry Stanek at one of our Fantasy Airlift concerts at St. Bernard's Church basement.

He evolved into one of the best, hardest working musicians this area has ever seen.

And of course, John was the original bass player in "Homer's Army".

He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Rest well in Rock and Roll Heaven my friend.

John Homerski Jr.

[Day]

My love and respect goes out to a guy who brought so much joy and music into the world. I never saw him get mad or treat anyone poorly and he was always a blast to hang out with.
Adding a voice like his to that angelic choir I'm sure will make heaven an even more beautiful place.

[Ronnyd]

So sorry to hear of John's passing,my prayers are with him and his family.


John was a perfect example of what a musician should be!
Ronny D.