Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: BoatinWend Date: 11 Jul 09 - 08:50 AM Only got to hear belatedly of the sad news. What a terrible loss. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Geoff Lewis (Mill Race Festival:Cambridge On Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:46 AM All of us associated with the Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk music (Cambridge, Ontario) are deeply saddened by the loss of this wonderful man. He graced our festival several times and was loved by all. A more generous, warm character you could not hope to meet. God bless! Geoff Lewis |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: MartinRyan Date: 11 Jul 09 - 12:17 PM Sang a shanty for Johnny at Miltown Malbay this week in memory of that iron-bar voice. Regards |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Gina Dunlap Date: 11 Jul 09 - 04:08 PM We had the very great privilege of meeting Johnny at Herga years ago and last summer at Liverpool.He was a lovely man. Bill and I are very saddened by this news. Gina and Bill Dunlap |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: breezy Date: 11 Jul 09 - 05:44 PM I heard the news when it first was knoown via a text from a friend who had read Georges opening to this thread. I still cant believe it. we dueted at Kitty and Derek's do at Herga so as to kill two birds with one stone to allow more time for K and D He was always most willing and keen to sing with me, so much so that I felt most priveleged. We still had one more to do and were planning to sing it soon, Alas, never put off till tomorrow that what you can do today I first recall hearing his deep bass tones during a song concert in the stable loft at the Molesworth Arms Wadebridge from where I now hang out and from whence I just returned. i was intrigued and wondered if I was hearing things, I reacall him sing Mr Punch and Judy Man. Cornwall folk festival Mid 1970s, hosted by Mervyn Vincent I became a member of Herga late in life and Johnny was always most encouraging and complimentary, and I felt honoured that twice in recent months both he and Joyce attended my gigs. I would invite him to join me on the final song along with George P, but I would ask Johnny, - jokingly - as my voice is only average in volume , - to sing from outside the door. Such was his enthusiasm and power and his obvious love of singing. Johnny always sang with a twinkle in his eye, called everyone 'Good Buddy' and now I will have to learn the other verses to the song I loved to share with him. Last night - Fri 10th July - at the Ringers in St Issey when the Leaving Shanty was sung , I thought about Johnny, and my thoughts go to Joyce Johnny Collins was The Herga foundation stone of the 'Wall of Sound' If I may borrow from E Bogle , with whom he very recently shared a stage, Johnny Collins is Safe in the Harbour I was lucky to have known , heard seen and sung with the man thank you sir |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,John Conolly Date: 12 Jul 09 - 12:30 PM One of my enduring memories of Johnny is of arriving as a "new boy" at a lakeside Shanty Festival in Poland and being guided to the main venue by Johnny's amazing voice booming across the lake from about half-a-mile away...I'm so glad I had the privilege of sharing a shanty-stage with this lovely man on many occasions - I'm so sorry to hear of his passing, and can only hope that Johnny has found his very own version of "Fiddlers' Green" . . "And when you're in Dock and the long trip is through - There's pubs and there's clubs and fine curries there too - The singing of songs ,and the company of friends- Where the sun never sets and the song never ends..." With love and sympathy to Joyce .... |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,old girl Date: 12 Jul 09 - 12:31 PM Such sad news the folk world has lost a great man. we are so pleased to have known him,Our sympathy to Joyce and the family We are thinking of you at this sad time. Rose & Dave |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Darryl (daz) Moorley ,Rhyl Date: 12 Jul 09 - 02:51 PM Saddens me very deeply. My reguards to Joyce. Will sing Padstow for a fine shantyman. Daz & Barbara |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Iain Glover Date: 12 Jul 09 - 04:41 PM I had the pleasure of meeting and singing with Johnny on numerous occasions over many years, he was a wonderful and warm person and will be sadly missed. Rest in Peace my friend Joyce you are in my thoughts Iain |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Trevor Bond Date: 12 Jul 09 - 04:44 PM I met Johnny for the first time last year, when as mentioned above he sang with the Younguns near Darlington. I was immediately struck by what a genuinely nice person he was . Later that year he sang on board the "Stavros S Niarchos" at the tall ships in Liverpool , and we had abrief conversation as I took him to meet the cook, as he had expressed an interest in seeing the galley .He told me he had served as a cook on a sailing ship some years before. A lovely man ,thoughts are with Joyce and family |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Richard Atkins Date: 12 Jul 09 - 09:00 PM Pete Blowers who i see most nights in my local pub reminded me of their last Jazz Blues gig with DPN. Man walks from audiance asking to join in on stage. Johnny did a fine rendition of It Takes a Worried Man before going to Poland. I wish i had been thare as it could have been his last song on these shores. A man special to all |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Crane Driver Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:24 AM Read Johnny's obituary in the Guardian here. Says it all really Andrew |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Gwyneth, Willenhall Folk Club Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:39 AM Well, what more can I add to all these tributes? What a terrible loss, and condolences to Joyce & the family. I too want to consider Jim and all he had to deal with, prctically & emotionally there in Poland. At the Bromsgrove Festival, I got Eric Bogle to sing 'Safe in the Harbour'. During the last Concert, Pete & I sang, Shores of Jordan. Johnny 'collected' this from me & it said it all about his last days & his attitude to life. We also sang Padstow Farewell Shanty, the whole tent. Hope you heard it, Johnny. Love to a great inspiration. Gwyneth & Pete |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Stuart Reed Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:45 AM Today's Guardian obituary: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/13/obituary-johnny-collins-sea-songs |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Suzie- Keepers Lock Date: 13 Jul 09 - 06:50 AM So very shocked to hear this devastating news! Johnny was a good friend of many years, a wonderfully warm and big hearted man, who will be sadly missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with Joyce and the rest of the family. 'Haul Away to Heaven' dear friend. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: BB Date: 13 Jul 09 - 07:04 AM Pity Derek missed out 'Free and Easy' in his obituary - I think it's probably the best of Johnny's solo albums. Barbara |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,CSL Date: 13 Jul 09 - 07:37 AM The folks at South Shields were very saddened when we heard this news. We have fond memories of Johnny on his last visit here. Thoughts with Joyce and Family and with Jim. The Young Un's finished the first half of their gig here last night with a medley of Shanties dedicated to Johnny who gave us such a great night himself exactly 1 year ago to the night. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Noreen Date: 13 Jul 09 - 09:00 AM From link to guardian article: Obituary Johnny Collins Performer of sea songs and shanties with an international following Derek Schofield The Guardian, Monday 13 July 2009 Best known as a singer of maritime songs and sea shanties, Johnny Collins, who has died aged 71 of a heart attack, had a full repertoire of folk songs, with a particular emphasis on songs with a chorus. In the style of the great American folk singer Pete Seeger, Johnny loved to have the audience sing the choruses with him. But they had to sing loudly to be heard above Johnny's strong, booming, bass voice. A frequent performer on mainland Europe, where sea songs and shanties in a variety of languages are very popular, Johnny achieved his greatest triumph in 1983 when he and his frequent singing partner Jim Mageean won an eastern European version of the Eurovision song contest - the Intervision song contest - staged in Rostock, East Germany. Other competitors made full use of the 96-piece orchestra, but Jim and Johnny won the hearts of the voting audience with a medley of unaccompanied sea shanties. Born in Norfolk, Johnny was adopted by a Belfast-born railwayman and his wife, a music teacher from Norwich. He left school at 16 and two years later joined the army - at first the Royal Engineers, but then transferring to the Royal Army Medical Corps. Stationed in London in 1958, he came across the jazz and folk clubs of the West End, learned to play the guitar, and sang alongside the jazz guitarist Diz Disley, folk singers Martin Winsor, Redd Sullivan and Alex Campbell, and the blues singer Long John Baldry. By the time Johnny was posted to Singapore in 1959, he was listening to the American folk songs of the Weavers, Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie, but back in Catterick, Yorkshire, he met Tony Foxworthy, a staff member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, who introduced him to English folk song. At his next posting in Hong Kong, Johnny ran a folk club and sold out the City Hall with his new folk group. Leaving the army in 1968, Johnny was encouraged in his singing career by the folk singers Dave Burland, Roy Harris and Derek Elliott. Folk club fees did not allow Johnny to become fully professional, and he became chief laboratory technician at Watford hospital. By the mid-seventies, he had built an enviable reputation and released two albums, Traveller's Rest (1973) and Johnny's Private Army (1975). In Watford he was soon singing with Mageean. Concentrating on sea songs, they appeared at most British folk festivals, and together released albums, including Coming of Age (1996) and, with Graeme Knights, Good Times (2008). There were also solo recordings - Pedlar of Songs (1993) and Now and Then (2000). Through the 1980s and into the 90s, Johnny performed at many of the world's maritime festivals. In the US, he sang at the Maine and Newport maritime museums, as well as the Kendall Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, and the prestigious Mystic Seaport festival in Connecticut. He was the resident shantyman at Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia, and for more than 20 years, was the main guest at the maritime festival in Workum, the Netherlands. In 1987, Johnny was invited by the East German government to the Berlin Shanty Festival (an unlikely event for a land-locked city) to celebrate Berlin's 750th anniversary. Other festival appearances were in Belgium, Poland and France. Johnny sang at the music events that accompanied the Cutty Sark Tall Ships races in Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne and Southampton, and he was a regular at maritime festivals in Hull, Lancaster, Portsmouth and Greenwich. A core of British folk festivals continued to welcome Johnny's brand of chorus singing, and he was a frequent guest at festivals in Bromyard and Chippenham, where his enthusiasm for folk song was widely appreciated. He is survived by his partner, Joyce Squires, and two children, Carol and Michael from an earlier marriage. • John Robert Collins, folk singer, born 10 May 1938, died 6 July 2009 |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Brian & Stella Dennett Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:38 AM So sorry to hear of Johnny's untimely passing. No-one who heard him sing could fail to have their spirits lifted by that huge voice and wonderful repertoire of songs, and all who knew him will have their own personal memories of him over the years - we certainly have. He was a great character and the world is a poorer place today. Our condolences to Joyce and to Johnny's family, and our sympathies to Jim. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Will Fly Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:07 AM There were several songs sung in memory of Johnny at last night's village Singaround at the Rising Sun in Charlwood (Surrey), by performers who had known him, sung with him, or simply just loved his stuff. A very moving evening. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Mel and Kathy Foster Date: 14 Jul 09 - 01:21 PM Johnny was a man of grace, wit and song. We had known him only a few years - not nearly long enough. It was a privelage to have been his friends. Bon Voyage. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Rattler Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:29 PM One day at a festival, a couple of years after first seeing him, I was standing next to Johnny at a bar and realised that he was actually a couple of inches shorter than me. I must have just assumed he was about 6ft 2in tall, such was his presence! Later, the first song I sang in public was inspired by his singing at the Stanford in the Vale Festival (compact venues packed with eager chorus singers), and learnt from one of his recordings. I wonder how many others have similar tales? |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: JWB Date: 14 Jul 09 - 11:03 PM Johnny and I last sang together at the Chicago Maritime Festival in 2007. He captivated a group of children at a library program, without singing one "children's" song -- he just sang HIS songs, and they loved it. One of HIS songs that sums him up for me is Doddle Let Me Go, or Yellow Gals. He sang it with such a sense of fun and delight, putting an appropriate chuckle into the lyric "He grabbed me by the bobstay and he wouldn't let me go." My own paltry tribute is this song, sung to "Leave Her, Johnny", which I wrote when we lost Stan Hugill. Oh, the hour was late and the moon was high But still we did not depart, For the glow of pleasant company Warmed each and every heart. "Just one more song," said someone As the landlord doused the light, So we sent a final chorus ringing out into the night. It is no consolation to know that time must fly, It's still very hard, when the hour comes, to have to say goodbye. "Why must you go," the young wife says, And tears are in her eyes. "To build a better life for us," He tenderly replies. Together they have talked of this For many a long day, And yet she cries when he at last Is fin'lly on his way. Chorus Two brothers stood upon the dock Not knowing what to say, For one was going to board a ship While the other one would stay. One had made the choice to travel out Into the world alone, While the other one chose family, Security and home. Chorus When the news arrived from far away That our old friend was gone, We did not call it tragedy To hear he'd traveled on, For his life had been a long one, With friends and pleasure filled. Yet still a stone was in our hearts To think his voice was stilled. Chorus Jerry |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Sapper stuck in the Office Date: 15 Jul 09 - 07:20 AM I only met him once at the Herga last year. A lovely blokre and fine singer who will be missed by many. But, let us not get too hung up on the loss, keen though it may be felt, but rather let us celebrate and rejoice in his life, a life well lived! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: scowie Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:09 PM refresh |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Sarah & Pat Date: 16 Jul 09 - 04:53 AM So sad to hear Johnny has died, but heartened to see he was touring when it happened - still singing and doing his fantastic stuff. Sorry we have failed to meet up in recent years - busy doing that family thing...but a wake-up call not to leave it too long. He will leave a gap in the folk world, but he has left a fabulous legacy. -S&P&M&M Hayward |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST Date: 16 Jul 09 - 09:08 AM Johnny Collins 3.07.2009 One of the last Johnny's gigs. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Herga Kitty Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:40 PM Thank you Guest so much for posting that clip - it was great to see and hear Johnny singing with his usual gusto! Kitty |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Mrs Scarecrow Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM I cant quite bear to listen yet |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: mn Date: 16 Jul 09 - 05:00 PM Obituaries on Polish shanty websites: Szantymaniak.pl Szanty24.pl Szanty.art.pl Message from Jim Mageean translated into Polish: Ostatnie chwile Johnny'ego [Johnny's last moments] |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: bavis Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:03 PM Remembered fondly at Wherwell tonight. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Sue (Bedworth) Date: 17 Jul 09 - 06:42 AM A lovely clip - played it several times. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,Rob Orton Date: 17 Jul 09 - 07:00 AM I remember Johnny from his stints as the Singing Chef at whitchurch festival and have a fond memory of this large bearded man ( he was larger than life) walking through Wimborne Folk Festival holding each of my two daughters who were then quite small by the hand. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST,flyingcat(moira) Date: 17 Jul 09 - 08:23 AM A few years ago Johnny asked me for the words of the Connemarra cradle song as he thought he's like to sing it. I don't know if he ever did but i sang for him at maidenhead last night |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: breezy Date: 17 Jul 09 - 10:16 AM There was a tribute on Folkwaves on Monday They played Johnny singing Harvey's 'English Ale' from 'Pedlar of Songs' CD and 'Green grows the Laurel' at 43 mins into prog |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: skipy Date: 18 Jul 09 - 09:12 AM Refresh |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Zany Mouse Date: 18 Jul 09 - 07:00 PM Refresh |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: GUEST Date: 19 Jul 09 - 04:40 AM Kate Mayall. I have known Johnny for years and Workum will not be the smae without him. Johnny and Jim WERE the Strontrace. So many people will not be able to imagine festivals all over the world without Johnny Collins and the small Dutch village of Workum will be a sadder place this Ocotber without him. My sympathy and best wishes to friends and family. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: johnadams Date: 19 Jul 09 - 06:30 AM It's taken me a while to bring myself to contribute here but the mention of the Strontrace brings back the memory of re-mastering the Strontrace album from vinyl for cassette release after the master tapes had disappeared. I spent a day and a half setting the transfer up and it didn't tire my ears for a second. I had some conversations with Johnny about the Strontrace and it was obviously close to his heart. Another thing I'll miss with regard to Johnny's singing is his ability to go down to bass harmony notes that very few others could get near - notes as beautiful and warm as the man they came from. Deepest sympathies. RIP |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: mn Date: 22 Jul 09 - 03:19 PM Movie with Johnny Collins - 5.07.2009 Also made by Boguslaw Bojanowski. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Nessie Date: 22 Jul 09 - 05:42 PM JC was repatriated yesterday. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Zany Mouse Date: 22 Jul 09 - 07:08 PM Good. Hopefully this will help Joyce be able to grieve. It must have been a lot worse for her happening in Poland. Brilliant for Johnny though. For a folkie to have a last day like his ... Blessings Rhiannon |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: JohnB Date: 22 Jul 09 - 11:34 PM I definately do not mean this in any bad taste, but I can't view the pictures from Poland in any other way. A Day in the life of Johnny, a day to die for, for us mere mortals in the rest of the world. Way to go, unfortunately it will never happen to me. I know you are having a blast with Pete and Harry and all the others from Norfolk. The harmonies and the songs ahhhhhhh! save me a spot in the audience, maybe in the second half if you can manage it. JohnB. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: skipy Date: 23 Jul 09 - 05:36 PM Welcome home old friend |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009) From: Herga Kitty Date: 25 Jul 09 - 11:21 AM Message from Joyce Squires:
Johnny's ashes will be scattered at sea in two locations, Yarmouth on 5th September (TBC) and Workum on 19th October. The Festival organisers at these events have been very helpful and we would be happy to see some of you there to sing him on his way. We are also planning a Memorial concert in the New Year; details will follow in due course. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support, messages and cards. Joyce" |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009)-funeral 13 Aug From: Tyke Date: 25 Jul 09 - 01:53 PM I still can't find the words to express how I sad I fell about Johnny's departure however I shall make every effort to attend and witness the celebration of his life. Then hopefully all attending or for those who are unable to attend but can set aside some time to send there farewells to Johnny then will feel a little better. George Clarke |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009)-funeral 13 Aug From: scowie Date: 26 Jul 09 - 02:20 PM refresh |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009)-funeral 13 Aug From: Leadfingers Date: 26 Jul 09 - 02:29 PM Breakspears Crematorium is possibly NOT as easy to reach by public transport as some places ! I will be driving up from Hayes , and can offer seats in a car - Hayes and Harlington is on the Main line from Paddington . (And back after the wake !) |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009)-funeral 13 Aug From: greensue Date: 26 Jul 09 - 05:29 PM Leadfingers I hope I can meet up with you at Hayes and harlington. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Collins (6 July 2009)-funeral 13 Aug From: My guru always said Date: 26 Jul 09 - 05:38 PM We can offer basic accommodation in Leatherhead (before & after) for a few people from afar & transport with us to Johnny's funeral & Singout. Please PM me if you're in need. Hil & Richard |
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