Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)

Subject: Obit: Ken Sykora
From: Flash Company
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 11:09 AM

Ken Sykora , Jazz guitarist, Django disciple and Broadcaster has died aged 82.
He used to run a BBC Radio programme called 'Guitar Club' in the '50s when music still got a look in.
Not had time to read the obit in the paper yet.

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 11:24 AM

Gosh I didn't know he was still with us. A guru of the jazz guitar in his day.
There'll be some good jamming up there now.
Giok

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 11:29 AM

one of the icons of my radio listening days as a child. loved his show. would rush home from junior school to catch it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 03:03 PM

Knew him back in the sixties in the days of Guitar Club, such a gentleman, very knowledgable and very friendly. Whatever happened to real music programmes with real musicians that were real people and not five minute wonders manufactured by know nothing people in the "music business" ?

It's a sadder world no doubt about it.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: Flash Company
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 10:00 AM

Apparently he has been living, an until recently still working, in Scotland. Was in intelligence with the Chindits in Burma in WW2, (Never knew that!).
His fellow artist , as I recall, on Guitar Club was Ike Isaacs. Anyone know what happened to him?

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: SunnySister
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 10:24 AM

Hi Flash,

Here's what I could find in a super quick search about Ike Isaaacs (it's from a guitar book website):

"Ike Isaacs is one of the world's great teachers of guitar, as well as having discovered more of the instrument than most other guitarists. He's played with many of the great bands including Ted Heath and Cyril Stapleton, and for a long time was Stephan Grapelli's guitarist during his 70s tours. He's been playing guitar professionally for 56 years, and for the last 8 he's been teaching at the Australian Institute of Guitar in Sydney."

--SunnySister

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: SunnySister
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 10:30 AM

Sadly, I found that Ike Issacs passed away on Ike Isaacs January 11, 1996 so that would have made him 77 when he passed.

(1 Dec 1919 - 11 Jan 1996)

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege off line
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 05:45 PM

both Ken and Ike were good friends of my Guvnor Steve benbow. It is sad news indeed. Ken, Disley (Who is quite ill himself) and Denny Wright were all exceptionally good disciples of the Django school of guitar. it is a shame that the modern british school of playing don't realise the talent of these guys and don't appreciate their place in british jazz guitar history.
The passing of Ken is a great shame and he will be sorely missed by all. I have read a great deal about him and have heard alot more from Steve. Long may he rest in peace and enjoy the jam in the sky with Django, His brother Joseph and all of the great musicians already there.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: Flash Company
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 07:23 AM

SunnySister...Thanks for that, Another good man done gone!
Guest...As you say, all the good ones are going.I recall a story told about Ken when one of the modern school was sneering at his choice of instrument and extolling the solid body.
Kens reply was to switch off his amp and carry on playing, then said, 'Do that with a solid body!'

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 05:10 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: GUEST,Duncan sykora
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 07:20 PM

So nice to read your comments on our father...we had a celebration of his life and work after his funeral on friday 17th of march.
So many stories and fond memories from people who knew him and also people who just enjoyed listening to him as a guitarist and broadcaster. We hope to try and release some of his live recordings at some time in the future as a testament to his playing...keep you posted on any developments !
...many thanks Duncan,Alison and Dougal Sykora

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 09:33 AM

Like the other oldies contributing, I too, have fond memories of Ken, Ike, Diz and the rest of the BBC Guitar Club crowd which was my '50s Saturday morning listening. Later became "Skiffle Club" for a time, I believe (..."and the rest is history" LD).

RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: David C. Carter
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 10:58 AM

Seems like a lot of us carry fond memories of those guys.We won't be seeing their likes again.They probably kick started a lot of us into getting into music.I remember and thank them for that.

David

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: Flash Company
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 11:23 AM

Nice to know that the family have found us. Please keep in touch as there are many of us who will be interested in the record release.

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Ken Sykora (March 2006)
From: GUEST,dickienev
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 07:14 AM

sat at home in vacant & pensive mood when into my 63y.o. head popped a memory of me youth.....watching a pipe-smoking(?) guitarist called K.S. dazzle me from a 9inch B&W t.v. set in the early 50's. I really don't think I had hitherto had KS on my mind for over 40 years, so i went to the magic(pc)lantern & came up with the sad news of his passing earlier THIS VERY MONTH.......synchronicity or pure co-incidence? whichever, i am saddened, for Ken could REALLY play, whilst i was then attempting to play "Tom Dooley" on the top E string (i couldn't even TUNE the guitar at that point)and a musician of his "cal-iber" was a true inspiration to a bumbling learner as i was....not MUCH better 50 years on, either!!! God Bless your memory, Ken; you were one of my STARS! xxx