I'm late to this news, and very, very saddened to read it. John aka Jock was an amazing talent wrapped up in a very humble man. His songs, his harmonies and his playing were all just wonderful and in a variety of genres too. From Tracey-Munro-Tracy, through Country Express, Colcannon, and of course, all the wonderful music he made with Eric. I am sure many are still shattered by his loss. Thank you Eric for telling us of his last moments and I am glad to hear he was surrounded by family and friends.
I am also battling cancer, 3 years along the journey with kidney cancer which is progressing despite my positivity and best efforts. After a recent scare with two hospitalisations for pneumonia, I am getting organised for my funeral (though I still hope I have another year or two in me yet - I've a lot to do). Two of the songs that I have chosen come from Country Express - "Who Will Sing for Me?" (I have a wonderful choir where I now live near Toowoomba so they will!), and also "Praise God! I feel like singing, I'm on the other side of life now!" surely the most joyous song about dying there is. I well remember a concert they did at the Octagon in Perth years ago when they just released the 'Another Lonesome Morning' album with Praise God on, that and the spine-tingling arrangement of "House of Gold" too. I ran out in the interval and bought it! Then they all come back on stage wearing the covers (vinyl LPs remember) as hats! I taught those songs to my Perth choir HarmonyUs and another one they did, "All Gods Critters got a Place in the Choir" became our theme song. One of my smaller groups here also love singing it. Jock's varied music has had a big impact on my life and while I am sorry he has gone before me, if we go anywhere after this life, I'll look forward to singing with him when I get there. Vale dear John.