Johnny and Joyce took us under their wings, as they must have done for countless others, when we returned to the UK in 2000 and rejoined the folk community and have been the best of friends since. I don't believe George would have found his voice as a songwriter but for Johnny's gentle encouragement and support. He was so often the first person to learn and sing out many budding songwriters' songs, a true champion of our music. I know Mike Sparks was choked when he learned his 'Reach for the Gin' was Johnny's last public song.

Johnny was one of those rare and special people who focused on whoever he was with and who cared for all he met. To see his face light up when he saw you, the arms go out for that enveloping hug and growl made every meeting a joy. We'll all have our own precious memories of him; a couple of mine are his singing 'Bound for South Australia' very shortly after we'd joined Herga because I was off to see my son there for the first time, and experiencing THAT voice in a canal tunnel.

Though he joked he'd been told he was a 'living leg-end', his humility was such that he never fully grasped his status. We're thankful, lucky and richer to have know this kind, generous and erudite man.

Vanessa P