John Venn (Esher) R.I.P

[Nickinstoke]

I just  heard the sad new that John Venn - better known to most of us as Esher, from Brosely in Shropshire - died yesterday. He was 63. Esher was a stalwart of the Northern scene from its earliest days. He deejayed in the oldies room at the Stafford All-nighters, and later started and ran the 86 Club, at Swancote, Bridgnorth, which was at its peak in the late 80s and early 90s. I've known him since I was 15, and have had some of the best times I ever had with Esh. I know I wont be alone in missing him a lot.

[Glynthornhill]

A true gent , and a sad loss to the Scene  .. super knowledgeable  collector .....R I P Venn.

[Ted Massey]

Bloody hell so sad Rip Esher

 

[Wiganer1]

iconic dj in the oldies room at Stafford.....Rip Esher..

[Ian Seaman]

sad news RIP my friend

[Spook]

RIP John

[Mick Holdsworth]

That's very sad - Was only thinking about him a few days ago.

[Platters 81]

RIP John..............

[El Corol]

Sad to hear.

A few of us put a soul night on back in B'ham around the early nineties and we had Esher as one of the DJs. On the night without prompting he offered to take a reduced fee to help us out, always remember that.

RIP John

[Louise]

Sad news, Esher was a good ole' boy who could ever forget his Panama Hat wearing phase !

R.I.P

Dave & Louise

Edited April 18, 2016 by Louise

[Tony Foster]

R.I.P Esher, thank you for the good times,

Another who has gone too soon.

 

[Nige Brown]

RIP Old Friend,,

So many happy memories from the past,,,

Condolences to family and close friends,,, Nx 

[Mark Jones]

Goodnight John...RIP Mr 86 Club.

[Dazdakin]

Bloody he'll!!

Another face signs off

Ta ra for now mate.

Rip 

Dazz

 

[Tivoli]

Sad news about John.

We had some interesting debates over the years, will miss this now.

Rest In Peace Esher my friend.

[Rudzy]

Very sad news

Good Old Boy

R.I.P. Esher

 

[Ady Croasdell]

I'm sorry to hear this; we used to talk each others ears off at Wigan-I think, and he used to come down to London a lot too. Smashing lad.

[Crazylegs]

Genuine nice guy.

R.I.P Esh,  good talks, lots of laughs (in particular the late night phone calls when you tried to put on bogus voices to fool me, you were rubbish!!)

With Much Respect.

Sharron & Steve 

x

[Martyn Pitt]

Sad news indeed, graced the 86 Club many a time.

Rest in peace John

Martyn & Carol 

 

[Soul16]

Very sad to hear this.

The 86 Club, I remember Esher playing the final spot 'just one more before we have to end....' Management often ended up pulling the plug. Great times.

R.I.P. John

[Gilly]

Yes a great fellow, so sad

[CRUMB]

Only just heard the sad news. RIP Esher.

[Dirk Tiggler]

So sad. Only seen Esher twice in the last 6 months but he was so ill. Esher was the first serious record collector i knew and he did have a great collection that he eventually parted with. He came to my house on one occasion and told me how his collecting started... His older sister went with local DJ 'Barmy Barry' who had based his act to be as controversial as Jimmy Saville's was back in the day. I never saw him but apparently he was a showman on the decks doing crazy things. When 'BBs' fame spread in the west and north midlands, record companies sent him tons of promotional records. However, if they didn't fit in with his show he passed them onto Esher's sister who in turn passed them to Esher. Esher said it wasn't until he was older and got into soul music that he truly realised what he had been given. I think this was the catalyst to Esher becoming a top collector.

Certainly a big loss and will be greatly missed - Ade

[Soulie8]

John was a true gentleman and was one of the driving forces in putting the West Midlands on the Northern soul map. 86 Club, Swancote, Nautical William and even putting live acts on, and often losing money. We travelled to many places together including a visit to see The Four Tops in their heyday in Wolverhampton and spent lots of time at The Discary in Birmingham discussing and collecting vinyl. Will always  remember his snappy dressing. Top Man, Top DJ , who will sadly missed R.I.P John  "Esher" Venn 

Chid

Edited April 20, 2016 by soulie8

[Nickinstoke]

If anyone would like to come and say goodbye to Esher, the funeral service will be at Telford Crematorium on Tuesday 10th May, at 12.00, followed by a buffet at Broseley Social Club

[Dirk Tiggler]

On Monday, April 18, 2016 at 16:12, El Corol said:

Sad to hear.

A few of us put a soul night on back in B'ham around the early nineties and we had Esher as one of the DJs. On the night without prompting he offered to take a reduced fee to help us out, always remember that.

RIP John

Hi John, yes this is awful news. Is the event you talk about held at the 'hen and chickens' at Oldbury? If so I remember attending with Esher that night. Ade

 

[dthedrug]

I Have only just read the sad news of a TOP SOUL BROTHER, a TWISTED WHEELITE, & a close friend, My GOD what can I say about John, Anybody who went to the Wheel got a baptism with SOUL that makes them stand out in a crowd, John filled that role, my relationship with John was Old School, However he was a top promoter with the classic 86 club, a club where I actually DJ,

At the moment all I can say is GOD BLESS JOHN,  RIP ESHER a WHEELITE & SOUL BROTHER, & My Friend.

[Spaghetti Weston]

VERY SAD NEWS IVE NOT SEEN JOHN FOR YEARS BUT HE WAS A BIG INFLUANCE ON ME BACK IN THE 80;S WHEN I USED TO GO TO THE 86 CLUB.

[Jenko]

Sad loss to the soul scene , we had some great nights with him and the 86 club crowd at Swancote.

                                  God bless R.I.P .        Paddy and Mary Jennings.