JOE TORQUAY Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 (edited) hi, my friend of more than 40 years has passed away today after a short illness, he's been buying and selling records for about 50 years so i guess just about everyone must have sold or bought something off him. he was very knowledgeable about soul music,he went on buying trips to the usa on a few occasions, martin koppel was one he went to see. we stayed together at prestatyn nearly every year along with other friends, i think he was happiest in the queen vic listening to R&B, or going through the record dealers boxes, with deep sorrow, joe. Edited June 8, 2013 by JOE TORQUAY
Peter99 Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 I'm sorry to hear that Joe. Wasn't John posting on here up until very recently. Peter
Wiganer1 Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 rip to a fellow soulie ...respect atb mark freeman...very sad indeed
Pete S Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 Very sorry to hear this - please pass on my condolences if possible.
Mike Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 very sad news I always looked out for his posts on here my thoughts and condolences go to all his family and friends mike
45cellar Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 Very Sad News Condolences to his Family and Friends. R.I.P.
Mr Smithy Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Didn't know him, but there can't have been much wrong with anyone who called himself after Slim. Sincere condolences to Family & Friends.
Guest MrC Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Sorry to hear of this, sad news indeed. Condolences to all his family and friends.
jocko Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Only knew him on here but he seemed to be one of the original boys, with interesting views. RIP Jock.
JOE TORQUAY Posted June 7, 2013 Author Posted June 7, 2013 hi, he was selling records on here not very long ago, many thanks for your thoughts, i'll pass them on to fiona and calum his wife and son, regards. joe.
Northernjordan Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Was he a member on Modculture a few years back? And did he DJ/run his own mod/R&B/soul night? If so he sent me a load a CD's a few years back for free, they were great and definitely helped me explore some great soul tunes. Even if I am thinking of the wrong person, it is very sad news. Please pass on my condolences to his family. Jordan
Chalky Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Sad news. Enjoyed his contributions in particular about the old days, some good articles of his on here somewhere. My sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.
Popular Post Rich Buckley Posted June 7, 2013 Popular Post Posted June 7, 2013 hi, my friend of more than 40 years has passed away today after a short illness, he's been buying and selling records for about 50 years so i guess just about everyone must have sold or bought something off him. he was very knowledgeable about soul music,he went on buying trips to the usa on a few occasions, martin koppel was one he went to see. we stayed together at prestatyn nearly every year along with other friends, i think he was happiest in the queen vic listening to R&B, or going through the record dealers boxes, with deep sorrow, joe. Joe, I am so so sorry to hear this, really gutted. Please pass on my sincerest condolences to Fiona and Calum. Growing up in north wales, John was one of the old heads around who was always welcoming and friendly with us youngsters, as were the other stalwarts, Chico, Mark Speakman, Phil Blacknell, Chris Fenny etc. In the mid to late 80s when me, Mossy, Pete Griffin etc were mods aged 16/17 we started buying records off John having met him in the Tudor House shop on Lower Bridge St in Chester where our mate Dave ran the record counter. He always had amazing under-the-radar stuff that we hoovered up off him and then played on the mod scene. A lot were unknown at the time. I'm talking '86ish. He had loads of gold fania (inc Use It Before You Lose It), R&B and other obscure nuggets. He loved his latin - Willie Rosario etc. We used to go round to his house and stay there for hours just playing tunes and buying bits. It was a treasure trove! It was only a couple of months ago on here we were PMing trying to arrange a get together for us all now we all live all over the place. He was such a smashing fella and we'll really miss him. He'll be up there now playing some boogaloo that's for sure. RIP John. Rich 4
Peter99 Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 (edited) Joe, I am so so sorry to hear this, really gutted. Please pass on my sincerest condolences to Fiona and Calum. Growing up in north wales, John was one of the old heads around who was always welcoming and friendly with us youngsters, as were the other stalwarts, Chico, Mark Speakman, Phil Blacknell, Chris Fenny etc. In the mid to late 80s when me, Mossy, Pete Griffin etc were mods aged 16/17 we started buying records off John having met him in the Tudor House shop on Lower Bridge St in Chester where our mate Dave ran the record counter. He always had amazing under-the-radar stuff that we hoovered up off him and then played on the mod scene. A lot were unknown at the time. I'm talking '86ish. He had loads of gold fania (inc Use It Before You Lose It), R&B and other obscure nuggets. He loved his latin - Willie Rosario etc. We used to go round to his house and stay there for hours just playing tunes and buying bits. It was a treasure trove! It was only a couple of months ago on here we were PMing trying to arrange a get together for us all now we all live all over the place. He was such a smashing fella and we'll really miss him. He'll be up there now playing some boogaloo that's for sure. RIP John. Rich What a lovely post. Nice one Rich. Peter Edited June 7, 2013 by Peter99
JOE TORQUAY Posted June 8, 2013 Author Posted June 8, 2013 I'VE HAD A FEW REQUESTS FOR JOHN'S ADDRESS SO PEOPLE CAN SEND CARDS OR LETTERS, PLEASE USE THIS ADDRESS IF YOU WANT TO SEND A CARD.. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND ASIDES, HE SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK BUT IT'S TOO LATE NOW, MRS F EVANS 197 DEGANWY ROAD. DEGANWY CONWY LL31 9DN
Rich Buckley Posted June 9, 2013 Posted June 9, 2013 Ok. Still getting to grips with this awful news. Hope Joe and others don't mind me publicly posting a PM John wrote me recently - his enthusiasm, knowledge and warmth as a human being shines through - christ on a bike. He always loved the lads banter so no sadness in this house! See you upstairs big man. Rich & Mossy. slimharpo Tape swappers fav Mint 100% Feedback 6 0 0 LEAVE FEEDBACK 852 posts Event::Grand Hotel Llandudno Sent 07 January 2013 - 09:02 PM Hi Rich. Glad to hear you are doing well. It's over 25 years since we met in Tudor House! Remember all those sounds I brought back from Koppel's?! Did you get my copy of Bobby Valentin - Use It Before You Lose It? If it wasn't for you and the other lads I wouldn't have realsised that Latin & R&B was getting so popular. I kept in touch with Pete for a while and kept selling him some good sounds that became quite expensive. Last time I saw Mossy was in Prestatyn with Pete and some pretty girls he had with him who scoffed our teacakes for breakfast, well I like to live on the edge. The next Prestatyn do is March 8th and that weekend. The Vibrations will be there with the original lead singer. I recently read Keith Richards' autobiography and when The Stone 1st went to the USA in 1964 they were on the same bill as The Vibrations and he described them as fantastic! You should try and make it. The cost of the accommodation has gone up but is still reasonable IMO. Keep In Touch, John Reply Report Top 1
Guest gaz thomas Posted June 9, 2013 Posted June 9, 2013 hi, my friend of more than 40 years has passed away today after a short illness, he's been buying and selling records for about 50 years so i guess just about everyone must have sold or bought something off him. he was very knowledgeable about soul music,he went on buying trips to the usa on a few occasions, martin koppel was one he went to see. we stayed together at prestatyn nearly every year along with other friends, i think he was happiest in the queen vic listening to R&B, or going through the record dealers boxes, with deep sorrow, joe. Hey Jo This is hard Rich. I am trying to find a few words. I met J in tudor house one afternoon in the mid 80s. He spotted a Mongo Santamaria lp that I had in a bag. We started talking about music, and became instant mates. I dont think there would have been more than a handful of people within a 25 mile radus of Chester who would have cared about 60s NY latin in 1986 He invited me over to his house to chill . We became good mates He further edcucated me, and got me even more into collecting and appreciating old music. and selling a few. He was so intelligent, laid back, and intresting. A genuine Mod His trips to the usa in the 80s were epic for me I dont think he ever came back with out anything on my wants list I used to see him every Saturday afternoon when he lived in Chester Then spend all night listening to my records. I remember John and I having a conversation at his place about Little Willie John "im shakin" about 1986 when he introduced it to us. He had loads of them. John reckoned it was perfect, He was right, Ten years later it was a desired 45 and appreciated Above all, he was not just a real true fan of vintage Soul, and a really good bloke He was my Mate I have been playing a few tunes tonight that we bought of him in the 80s Bobby Valetin - Geronimo, original gold fania 45 Slim harpo - shake your hips - statesie demo 45 = this was his own copy that he ordered and bought when it was released roger and gypsies - pass the hatchet seven b Joe bataan - good feeling - gold fania 45 ray baretto - teacher of love - gold fania 45 Without John Evans ...... The 80s mod scene in our world would have been otherwise dull He also got some nice blokes together listeing to and collecting amazing vintage, who have since become lifelong mates. Bless you You were so Polite Such a nice person It was amazing and a privalage to meet you xx Mossy
Guest MissHongkongfuey Posted June 10, 2013 Posted June 10, 2013 Awwww this is so very sad to read. John was one of the first people I ever chatted to on here. I brought a few bits and we did CD swaps but his were far better than my rookie efforts!! He turned me on to some amazing stuff and I'm gonna spend the afternoon playing some of the CDs he sent. I have a few folders in my collection titled... John Evans Majestic Mod and Hammond Monsters and John Evans Killer R&B Selections. I'll hit those with a passion whilst remembering someone who was so kind to a newbie and happy to share his passion. I'll be sure to send my condolences across.
JOE TORQUAY Posted June 12, 2013 Author Posted June 12, 2013 (edited) John's funeral is next Thur june 20 at the Roman Catholic church in Llandudno at 12 noon, going on to the Deganwy Quay hotel. Next Fri is a short cremation service at 12.30 in Mochdre, joe. Edited June 12, 2013 by JOE TORQUAY
Guest manusf3a Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 Didn't know him but enjoyed his posts on the forum ,sad to hear of his passing much respect r.i.p.
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