09 Sep 04 - 03:05 PM (#1267797) Subject: Obit: John Gorozdos From: GUEST,Wotcha I have modified the first news heard about the loss of John Gorozdos who was a long time member of The Ships Company Chanteymen, the musical arm of the DC-area nautical reenactment unit. Rest in peace Matey: Brian ************************************** I was just informed by a member of Ship's Company that John Gorozdos passed away within the last 48 hours or so (I wrote this on Wednesday evening, 8 September.) He was found at his home in Phoenix Maryland (a mile north of the Loch Raven reservoir), in his hot tub. I have no further details about the cause of death, a service or anything yet. But, I will keep you informed or you tell me if/when you know of anything more. I know John best from the Ship's Company chantymen (SCc) with whom he had been a member since 1996. He was a helluva banjo player, great singer especially for ad-lib harmony (sometimes referred to as "pile-on" harmony ...), and one of the top 5 easiest going people I know of. Creative, gentle, highly intelligent, slow to judge, patient beyond comprehension and a perfect balance between being unassuming but able to "step up to the plate" with a right good will. He did Renaissance ornamentation to traditional Irish music on a recorder or whistle and made it sound good. At least in my opinion. And, with his knowledge of sea-songs and wild ability to do an arrangement on the bounce, he, Lea and I could con our way onto most any non-governmental tall ship we came in contact with. His voice and instrumentation can be heard on Lea Coryell's "Cornbread and Rum," and the SCc's "Donkey Riding." He used to play with Cornucopia, but others will know if there's a recording extant. I could go on but, so can others. I'll save it for the service (wake?). For me, there will be a John Gorozdos size hole in Nelson's Memory. ************************************** |
09 Sep 04 - 04:26 PM (#1267868) Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos From: jeffp One of the Cornucopia tapes has been converted to CD. They are being sold by Peter Benson. I'm so saddened to hear of John's death. He was a great musician and a wonderful person to spend time with. I played with him a few times and socialized with him a few more. He will be greatly missed. Jeff Porterfield |
10 Sep 04 - 01:37 AM (#1268273) Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos From: GUEST,Wotcha Details on the memorial service and wake from another post: It is with great sadness I report to you the death of our shipmate John Gorozdos on Tuesday 7 Sept. John was a charter member of the Ship's Company Chanteymen and a superb musician. His death was sudden and unexpected. John sang the lead on "Heave Away Me Johnnies" on our album Donkey Riding and played banjo and pennywhistle on many of the other cuts. A memorial service for John Gorozdos will be held at Fleck Funeral Home in Laurel, MD this Saturday Sept 11 5-7pm. There will be a large "musical" wake held at Savage Mill on Sept. 26 3-7 pm at Savage Mill in MD. John's remains are being cremated. |
10 Sep 04 - 09:02 PM (#1268946) Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos From: Wincing Devil Sad news indeed, Brian. I haven't been to the Chantey Sing at the Wharf Rat much lately, but John was there last December. I've put together a memorial gallery at:
|
11 Dec 05 - 01:11 AM (#1624799) Subject: Amaranthine Dream From: GUEST,from the one who will always love you A violet afternoon we were watching the rain come down Each drop we heard dancing on the roof and all around from a little cottage vacant in the forest green we found A summer festival day sharing hours oh so sweet We danced on through night's quiet magic time kept a steady beat We were dressed so fine, but the clocks began to unwind Amaranthine Dream complete Then you said goodbye and silence seems so long mountain glass on blades of grass my tears to you for a song We reach out in dreams Amarynthine it seems but every one dies like a child |
11 Dec 05 - 01:48 AM (#1624800) Subject: Johnnie From: GUEST,the one who will always love you The violets were scenting the woods, Johnnie Displaying their charm to the bee When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie And you said you loved only me The chestnut blooms gleamed through the glade, Johnnie A robin sang loud from a tree When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie And you said you loved only me The golden-robed daffodils shone, Johnnie And danced in the breeze on the lea When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie And you said you loved only me The trees, birds, and bees sang a song, Johnnie Of happier transports to be When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie And you said you loved only me Our dreams they will never come true, Johnnie Our hopes, they never will to be Since I first said I loved only you, Johnnie and you said you loved only me |
04 Feb 12 - 03:19 AM (#3301886) Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos From: GUEST,lynda I have not forgotten you, my love. Sometimes its very hard not to cry. I miss your friendship, your smile, music genius and zany antics so much. And now, who can I share the memories with? I think you must be the lucky one. But then, reading all the lovely laments of your death by so many friends, in truth it is I who am the lucky one, for you made my world much much bigger...I love you still Johnnie. L |
25 Dec 13 - 10:26 AM (#3586530) Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos(ShipsCompanyChanteymen)-2004 From: GUEST,lynda When autumn comes and leaves become tinder grey clouds arrest the sun of her vanity, and I think on you. I hear your songs, sweet Johnnie among the sentry of silent, naked trees, over the din of dogs barking children laughing, breezes rustling, church bells ringing, buses groaning oblivious to your symphony Only the birds and I are here. We're still here, sweet Johnnie forever captive and in love with you. |