John McGann

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 6 Apr 2012 11:59 am

Very sad to report that I just heard from a mutual old friend that John McGann died suddenly today. I don't have any details yet. John was an exceptionally gifted musician, primarily known for his work on mandolin, but he also was an award winning guitarist and was very involved in steel. He was active on the Forum, and some of you will know him from his book of Joaquin Murphy solo transcriptions.

I had not been in touch with John much for many years now, but remember him as a great guy and an awe-inspiring talent. His death will no doubt leave a deep hole not only in the Boston music scene but in traditional music circles everywhere.

Dan

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2012 12:01 pm

Oh no, please tell me this isn't true! John was one of the kindest, most intelligent musicians I've ever met online. A real gentleman and a great musician. I know I will miss him. RIP John.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 6 Apr 2012 12:31 pm

Oh man - this is not good news. I rushed over to mandolin cafe to find any news, but they don't mention anything, and he was a big kahuna there - and lord I hate to post this kind of info without any firsthand knowledge
he and I had a great many thread discussions over there - a brillant musician - I use to get his flatpicking transcriptions back when I was a teenager just starting out.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 6 Apr 2012 12:36 pm

Wow, this is a shock. John was such a generous and gifted musician, and a nice person. This is too much... I'm afraid to look at the Gone Home section. Two days in a row...

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 6 Apr 2012 12:52 pm

I'm stunned. John is a good friend and we were just talking about getting together. We did three videos and a book together and spent many great times hanging out. I can't write any more now - I'm too shocked and sad! First Steinar, now John. His daughter is only in her early teens. What awful news.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 6 Apr 2012 12:52 pm

I agree, that's awful news. RIP John. You will be missed.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2012 12:56 pm

My deepest condolences to all his friends, students and especially his family.

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 6 Apr 2012 12:59 pm

Sad news indeed.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 6 Apr 2012 1:46 pm

So sad! John was such a gentleman and a scholar...and a friend! (even though I've never actually met him) God Bless you John!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 6 Apr 2012 1:47 pm

I really have to stay away from this section.

Another good one gone.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 6 Apr 2012 1:58 pm

Shocked and saddened to learn of this. WAY too soon. Heart felt condolences to John's family and friends. He was so special..caring, giving and SO talented.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 6 Apr 2012 2:03 pm

John was apparently supposed to play the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington tonight with the Berklee Roots Ensemble.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/calenda ... ?id=449400

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2012 2:10 pm

Oh man, that is heartbreaking. I'm not ashamed to shed a tear for a good man like John.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 6 Apr 2012 2:51 pm

It seems, when it rains , it pours. Sorry to hear this, my condolences..

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 6 Apr 2012 3:44 pm

Wow. I really don't know what to say. John was the most acomplished/amazing musician I've ever known or ever will know. I got my first steel guitar through him. I can't find the words to express the feeling of loss.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 6 Apr 2012 5:46 pm

I am just hit in the head over this, I awoke and this is what greeted me...
John was way too young.
He was also way too nice, talented, giving, active, creative and multifaceted.

He played well, more styles of music than most any 1,000 musicians I've met. That's one of the things that drew me to him, he made no musical borders, just crossed those erected by others, and played where ever he liked on the terms he found. And effectively widened those terms to be more inclusive, not exclusive.
The mark of a great musician.

RIP John you will be missed by a great many musicians who you have befriended, taught and inspired, and many fans who just enjoyed listening and talking to you.

My condolences to family, friends and the Berklee community.

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 6 Apr 2012 5:49 pm

Not much more info here:

http://bluegrasstoday.com/40095/john-mcgann-passes/

I was told it was quickly developing tumor.

Dan

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 6 Apr 2012 6:13 pm

John just emailed me yesterday afternoon. He was going in for some tests today and we were going to connect next week. I guess you never know what's around the corner.

John spent a lot of time on the steel guitar then decided to concentrate on mandolin, guitar and octave mandolin over the last few years. When we jammed together I was always self deprecating and kind of embarrassed to be a living room duffer sitting there with a world class virtuoso yet John was invariably supportive. He told me once, "I don't do levels. We're all musicians." Musically, he met me where I was but didn't hold back when it was his turn to solo. He would play brilliantly as usual. He viewed Charlie Parker, Curly Chalker, Bill Monroe, and Bartok through the same lens. John Hughy told him he didn't know the names of all the chords he played but he knew what they sounded like and how to get those sounds. John needed to analyze and understand the whys of everything he played in terms of musical theory yet his energetic, swinging solos belied the thought that went into them.

We had such fun shooting his three videos and John needed little direction to be good on camera. He was a natural teacher and much beloved by his Berklee students. He was such a kind guy and a very witty conversationalist. Man, I can't remember when i last had tears but they're here today.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Apr 2012 6:25 pm

What??! Oh, no. Not again. I didn't know John well, but came to appreciate his talents through the forum and some recordings he was kind enough to send me. My condolences to his friends and family.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 6 Apr 2012 6:31 pm

Andy. Agreed 101%
John was planning till the very end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5z7Dysx-Bo

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 6 Apr 2012 7:16 pm

Oh man. What a terrible loss. Back when I was reviewing tapes and CDs for SGW I'd frequently get unsolicited tapes in the mail, and usually each one was worst then it's predecessor. So when John sent me one, my first reaction was "Oh no, not another one."

But I put it on the cassette player, and my jaw dropped to floor. John's tape was simply spectacular. It was far away the best tape I had ever received. Just astounding.

John later transcribed a song for me by jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd. I still have his handwritten transcription of the tune.

RIP John.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 7 Apr 2012 2:29 am

Here's John playing Shenandoah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... mYWSRMEF7k#!

John as a teacher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHSi_xqw ... r_embedded

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 7 Apr 2012 6:40 am

Thanks Andy. That "Shenandoah" was perfection. I spoke with John about that 5 course mandolin at length...

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 7 Apr 2012 5:08 pm

I am sorry to hear about John. My condolences to all.

Mike Ihde · Post by **Mike Ihde** » 7 Apr 2012 10:32 pm

John was one of my private students in the late 70's and was just beginning to play pedal steel. At the end of each semester, a student must perform a solo piece of guitar. John decided to play "Jesu, Joy of man's desiring" on pedal steel steel. He did a great job on it.
While I was always the country guy at Berklee, he was the bluegrass guy on mandolin. I can't believe he's gone. What a great teacher and player he was. He will be sorely missed.