Some might be familiar with my blog, for others perhaps this will be the first time you ever read it. I took a break for a little bit there because I kind of thought I ran out of things to say. I’m hardly ever at a loss for words honestly. Friday I was. I was informed from one of the Revolution Brass Band members that my old friend John Kuegeler had passed away. This wasn’t just some random guy that I met on my Cleveland journeys. John was an old friend from high school. I was able to reconnect with him 20 years later like the 20 years never even went by. This isn’t no ordinary death either. There was no illness. There were no warning signs. I don’t even know how John passed away at the point. This was the out of left field crazy tragic death that shocks everyone.
I reconnected with John while I was at the Happy Dog taking some photos for the Brent Kirby CD release. I know the date even. It was April 10th 2010. I did a double take and gave him a big old bear hug and bought him a drink. We got to talking a bit and closed the place down. We caught up on this thing we call life and what he was up to. After the show we hung out on a few occasions. We went to see Nomo at the Grog Shop, caught a gig or two at Bela Dubby, and did dinner at Mi Pueblo. We continued bumping into each other at shows, and while he was on the clock at the coffee shop. He knew I was doing this blog, he read it, he liked it, but never once was he like Jay you have got to come see us and blog about my band. He was more interested in my quest to discover new places to go and bands to check out.
He was more excited about the stuff I was doing than I think I was. It became routine for me to go to an opening, or dinner or a show, but for him it was like this little bit of envy. It was like wow, I wish I could be doing what you are doing. All along though it has always been man I wish I could be doing what he was doing or what many of the artists and musicians out there are doing. I wish I had that kind of talent. I wish I could be a part of that scene or get up there and sing with the band. When he talked about a project he was working on he talked about it the way I talked about trying something new on this blog. He immersed himself into whatever project he was working on. If it was something he wasn’t into he just wouldn’t do it. Time is just too short to not do what you makes you happy or what gets you off. I learned my lesson John, I get it. That’s why I started doing this blog in the first place. I was getting stale. I was doing the same thing every weekend going through the motions just to belong to something. I wasn’t taking advantage of life.
We never really talked too much about the past. We certainly did have some good times back then but it was a different world. I remember picking him up at his house to go to a concert or just go to Coventry or wherever it was we used to hang out. We used to be in a church group together even. There was a lot of stuff we used to do, but it never was about that. John was a forward thinker and he didn’t have much time for the past. If I see someone from the glory days of high school they tend to want to play the “Remember that one time when…”. John was different he wanted to know what I was working on, and tell me about what he was working on.
I went to see him play with the Revolution Brass Band a couple times, but with work and whatnot it wasn’t as much as I really wanted to. The one time I went I saw the mic he was using to sing with looked like the biggest piece of shit ever. The sound was terrible. So, I looked in the garage at some of my gear I hadn’t been using and brought him up a couple mics, some cords and a mixer. I wasn’t using them. I tried to “get the band together”, but I just didn’t have much talent beyond a marginal set of pipes. I knew John didn’t really have much dough and I knew my rock and roll singer pipe dream was not going to fly. So, I gave them to him. Well first off, he took it all out of the bag and inspected everything the way a kid at Christmas would a new toy. The next thing he did is asked when I wanted them back. When I told him never he just smiled and gave me a huge hug and a thank you. I told him I had Sinatra chops though and I’d like to sing or record with him one day and that could be the payback. I’m bummed I never got to fulfill that part of the bargain, but whatever. I know he used everything and truly appreciated the gesture.
I’m pretty amazed at all the messages I am seeing on Facebook, and the outpouring of love everyone is giving him. I am not shocked or surprised by it though. John’s personality was infectious. There were times we went out where he was counting every single dime he had to make sure he was able to afford a tip. I am not a rich guy but I didn’t mind buying him a couple drinks at the bar. He was grateful for every single small gesture that most of my friends completely take for granted. It’s a beer dude, don’t worry about it I would say. I was so happy when he got that grant recently. It would afford him the luxury to do his thing. To compose music and better himself as an artist. The last I talked to him he was planning on heading out west to get his mind clear and get a little change of scenery. We talked for a bit at the coffee shop, and a crowd of folks came in and he got slammed. I left slipping a twenty in the tip jar and that was the last time I saw my friend John Kuegeler.
Life is too short to be messing around with the past, and to not be doing the things you love to do. Lesson learned my friend, lesson learned. You were an amazing talent, a true friend and adored by many. Cleveland and the world just lost some amazing talent and a great guy.
It could not be said better, dear Jay. Thank for saying it. It truly is a sad day.
Wonderful tribute, Jason. Such an incredible loss.
Thank you Tim, such an awesome guy. Loved your tennis story! I think I had the best Brit accent though. LOL
Thank you.
Charlie, he was a great guy, so much more to say this just doesn’t even scratch the surface of what a dude he was. Thank you so much.
Very sorry to hear about the sudden and tragic loss of your friend. Thank you for telling us about him.
Perfect description of John. He will be missed.
Thank you so much, John will live on in our hearts.
Thank you so much. You captured so much of him.
Thank you for your kind words, this doesn’t even do it justice. I could have went on and on story after story. I think we all have a great John story to share.
Thank you for such a beautiful and insightful tribute. I’ll always remember the night he played with us at The Spider and made the hair on my arms stand up. He elevated our music along with the spirit of everyone in that room. Thank you John. You are loved and will be missed.
Carlos to elevate the spirit of your music is something truly special. Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, thank you so much, Jason, for your good words about our talented friend John. And, I have to tell you, Carlos, I was dancing through the crowded street while you were playing the main stage at Hessler Street Fair last year, and danced up to John and we both exclaimed, simultaneously, “This is my favorite song!” Big Smiles
He told me then that when he got home from work and was standing outside his door fumbling for his key, he would sing out, “apartment living is not the way for I and I to live!”
And now he has moved on…
I love that everyone has a John story. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
I am awestruck and sadden by the loss of John. John was a fantastic guy that always had a positive outlook on life. A truly wonderful guy and he will be deeply missed.
Thank you so much for sharing. So much love from so many people from so many different walks of life.
Thank you Jason. So far this is the only information I have. John one of the few people I’ve ever been close to, who could truly live in the moment. I will miss him to no end.
Bill I am very sorry you had to hear about it this way. I apologize for that. I probably should have called. I need to get your number in my phone.
I’m deeply sad about John’s passing. Your tribute really captured that creative light in him. Makes me want to show more support for my fellow musician friends . . . attend their performances, ask how it’s going, encourage them in dry spells. Musicians work hard to make connections with people, to bring them to a peaceful or vibrant place. I shouldn’t be so busy. I feel comforted with my picture John at heaven’s door, blowing his horn on “Saints” with a tamborine under one arm.
http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/ it says: And it wasn’t a car accident. He wasn’t sick. It was just his time to go, I suppose. But I’ve been in a daze ever since I read the news on Facebook.
i will miss him dearly!
Beautiful and touching. We talked a bit about my love for Tucson before he left. We talked about it a lot actually more than a couple times. I love Tucson. If I ever get back up that way maybe I’ll knock on your door. Such a wonderful city. Thanks for sharing!!!!
last i spoke to john was after a gig i played filling in for someone last min. didn’t even expect to be there. john watched the later part of my set. we ended up at the bar talking about the hope for purity in out performance with music. that we maintained a space that is more for us to live thru then keep. i left drunk and anti climactic. john gave me that friendly nudge. he always had. ever since i met him. i am glad we shared that moment. another spirit that’ll always fill the barking spider anytime my heart makes music there. i’ll see him. thanx for writting this blog.
Xela it was john who introduced you to me at a set you played at Bela dubby. I know john cared for you and thought you were an amazing talent.
pardon my spellin
Tuesday Night Tribute at The Barking Spider Tavern starting at 8:00…
Friday Visitation at McGorry-Hanna Funeral home on Center Ridge Road in Westlake from 4:00 until 8:00…
Saturday Services at St. Malachi’s @ West 25th and Detroit at 10:00 am (musicians needed for processional)…
Saturday Afternoon Second Line Parade at 10th Annual Waterloo Arts Fest Time TBD (many, many musicians needed, especially brass players and percussionists)
Thank you for spreading the word!
Jason, I am very touched by your beautiful tribute to John. As I read all the comments from his friends, I know that my grief is shared by so many wonderful people that he loved as friends and family. He was definitely a creative, soulful, loving and passionate man!!!!! I am heartbroken and will find peace slowly. It is a true blessing to hear how much John was loved and admired by all who knew him. I will be at the Spider tomorrow night. I look forward to receiving one of your “bear
hugs” Mrs. K.
Thank you so much. I cannot imagine what you are going through. I think with the strength of all the positive energy and prayers John is smiling down on everyone realizing what he accomplished. The unity and outpouring of love from people from so many different walks of life is amazing. He was just that kind of guy that could bring everything together.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Connie from Dirty Footprints Studio was also friends with John. Please share this beautiful tribute that she is putting together for him. Thanks!
http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/2012/06/i-need-your-help.html#links
A beautiful tribute! Thank you for sharing!!!
John taught for six years at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby. He always had a smile and kind word for everyone he met. We will miss him greatly as a great teacher, musician and human being.
Thank you much for that kind tribute. Although i didn’t see him often, when I did run into him, we always had great conversation and a good laugh. He will be sorely missed. . .
Thanks for your wonderful tribute.
I can’t express how saddened I am to hear this! John and I grew up together on Parkside Dr and remained friends thru high school. At our 10 year reunion we were laughing like no time had passed! He even blocked some “unsolicited advances” from a previous classmate by standing right between us! HA! At the 15 year reunion I was happy to introduce him to my fiance’ , now husband Matt. At the 20 year reunion he picked me up at my hotel so I could “hoop it up” while in town! I wish I could see him one last time to let him know what an amazing person he has been and how lucky I was to have known him. Lorra Nickel
John worked with me in the Cleveland schools through Roots of American Music and for my drum circle company, Rhythm Culture. I’m retired now, but I fondly remember his excitement researching world music and composing rhythm arrangements for the kids to try. He was so great at teaching percussion, using his combination of fun words and energy. “Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat-Cat” taught the kids a Second Line rhythm better than any sheet music could. “Samba Beat, Samba, Give Me That” taught syncopation – if you can say it, you can play it!
But when John picked up his trumpet, he really seemed to transform from a teacher to an artist. Like some conductor or travel guide, he seemed to leave the classroom, escorting the kids and I from metal desks to the fresh air streets of New Orleans. I really wish I had words to describe where he took us with those melodies. All I do have is the sweet, lingering memory of 28 rambunctious kids, suddenly so wide-eyed and quiet. Miss you, John.