Its with much sadness that I post this news. John from Darlington was a well liked guy with his quite personality and sense of humour and like all the Darlington lads a great knowledge of this music we all love

Sleep well my friend and rest in peace 

Ste  n lou. XX X 

 

got to know yesterday about Johnnys  passing ,still cant believe its true a well mannered gent with as Steve said a great sense of humour, his record collection was the biz everything was as near mint as possible he handled them like they were the crown jewells and probably are these days. travelled  all over the country in late 80s and 90s to all the niters we could fit in, His mentor was the late Tony Colbey who put him right on all things Detroit back in the day He also loved uk singles and his cars also mint ,ford escort mexico, mk1 golf gti  ,we all will miss you Johnny,rip 

Colin and Angela

Terrible news, a really nice guy with a great sense of humour, still cannot believe it, so sad.

Rest in peace old friend

Martyn & Carol x

Rip Johnny great lad, yip he loved his records.

Very sad news part of the Darlington/Aycliffe Bus back in the day and a regular throughout the baron years. Johnny was great crack and many will be saddened by his loss,he had a wry sense of humour was well schooled in mint copies of British Labels and liked a good pint. 

Its very sad when you lose a part of your generation and my sincere condolences to his lovely daughter. I dusted down Hermon Hitson "yes you did " last night a record Johnny gave me for next to nowt one of the many times I went to see him at his parents home in the early eighties. You will be missed Johnny sleep well !! 

Just heard the news.

such a sad loss.

R.I.P soul brother.

Neil.

Edited January 4, 20214 yr by NT63

34 minutes ago, Colsoul said:

got to know yesterday about Johnnys  passing ,still cant believe its true a well mannered gent with as Steve said a great sense of humour, his record collection was the biz everything was as near mint as possible he handled them like they were the crown jewells and probably are these days. travelled  all over the country in late 80s and 90s to all the niters we could fit in, His mentor was the late Tony Colbey who put him right on all things Detroit back in the day He also loved uk singles and his cars also mint ,ford escort mexico, mk1 golf gti  ,we all will miss you Johnny,rip 

Colin and Angela

Fantastic and fitting eulogy Col, everything is right there about this genuinely lovely guy, never ever heard him raise his voice, loved a laugh, great sense of humour, genuinely shocked and gutted at seeing this, RIP Johnny, you and Tony got plenty to catch up on up there 

Kev

Devastating news my long time friend still won’t sink in be sadly missed xx 

Was so very sorry to hear about this - he was a such lovely chap. Me and Pete thought the world of him having got to know him in the early 90s at the White Heather when we co-ran it. Dx

Edited January 4, 20214 yr by Davenpete

Heard last night about John.  Very sad indeed 😪

RIP John x

 

Shocked.. Saddened.. Gutted !! Hadn't seen him for years, same as a lot of good Soulie peeps Sue and I used to enjoy catching up with on a regular basis in the 90's and early Y2K - and John was one of them.. RIP

Terribly sad news, another of the good guys taken before their time 😢

R.I.P. John. 

That's such sad news.

R.I.P. mate

Phil x

Such sad news, John was a lovely guy and always a regular at any of the nights I promoted in Middlesbrough always liked a chat and a look through any record boxes that were out and open. R.I.P and sincere condolences to his family. 

Was told early today of the sad news Johnny had passed away a proper gent he will be missed by many sleep well my friend 

very sad news allways had time for a chat rip johnny another one gone to soon 

Absolutely one of the kindest people we ever had the good fortune to meet on the northern scene.He just had this calming effect on you when he spoke to you,and so genuine.How very  sad to hear of his passing.

Sue and Chris Holmes

Awful hearing this, only a matter of weeks ago Johnny's Dad also called John and a man i knew arguably better than Johnny and for whom i had great affection sadly passed away, that was a shock in itself and now this terrible news. Hope they are together right now. How his Mother Audrey is coping i don't know, god bless her.

RIP 

7 minutes ago, JOEfromupnorth said:

Awful hearing this, only a matter of weeks ago Johnny's Dad also called John and a man i knew arguably better than Johnny and for whom i had great affection sadly passed away, that was a shock in itself and now this terrible news. Hope they are together right now. How his Mother Audrey is coping i don't know, god bless her.

RIP 

Hi Joe,do we know the cause of death.

Such horrible sad news,to hear this morning.

Neil.

10 minutes ago, NT63 said:

Hi Joe,do we know the cause of death.

Such horrible sad news,to hear this morning.

Neil.

Not heard anything as yet Neil. My wife saw Johnny just before Xmas he waved passing in his car. Just brings home how fragile life is.

So true Joe,life is fragile.

I have many memories of Johnny,travelling the country going to all nighters/soul nights.

Great knowledge,that he loved to share.

My/our nickname for him was Johnny 2 combs,after he pulled out 2 combs,to sort out his hair.At the Burnley all nighter.It cracked all of us up.

Fantastic human being,and many people will miss him.

Neil.

 

such sad news-a lovely bloke who would always help you-i had the pleasure,  of travelling the country to various allnighters with gentleman john-a grounded and down to earth fella who will be missed by all who knew him

 

Just been informed that John  died peacefully in his sleep on Friday  night. So Glad to hear that he didn't suffer 🙏 God bless you 🙏 

Sad Sad News   Rip Johnny 2 combs ' a  Genuine Good Guy

kev/wend

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-harrison-294?utm_term=MjpdKjbJz

asked by a few to do this if anyone wants to contribute 

15 minutes ago, Harry 1 said:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-harrison-294?utm_term=MjpdKjbJz

asked by a few to do this if anyone wants to contribute 

Just done.👍

R.I.P John.

Very sad news to hear of an old friend of 46 years passing away,rest in peace Johnny ,and as in the title of Johnny Robinson Okeh outing Gone but not forgotten R.I.P. Al Coney

On 04/01/2021 at 16:44, Aragorn said:

Absolutely one of the kindest people we ever had the good fortune to meet on the northern scene.He just had this calming effect on you when he spoke to you,and so genuine.How very  sad to hear of his passing.

Sue and Chris Holmes

Hi Sue

That is a perfect description and how I found John too.  A calm and cool bloke who was ever the gentleman.

My heart goes out to his daughter, Rachel, his family and close friends at this painful time.

Rest In Peace dear Johnny Mercer

You will be missed by so many 

Ali xxx

Another one of the good guys, never forgot the 45's that started him off. He'd get as much pleasure enthusing about them as he would if he heard something for the first time. An aficionado for sure. Sad news indeed. 

Condolences from me and Ian, Johnny was always there on the scene, and as everyone has already said "a quiet man who knew so much about the music we love, a gentle giant and never a bad word about anyone". Life can be fragile for all of us so let's hope we can get together in the not too distant future to celebrate Johnny and his contribution to the Northern Soul scene in the North of England.

Sad, sad, sad, RIP John.

Paul and Ian.

funeral is thursday 28th Jan 3-45 Darlington Crematorium Carmel Road Darlington

It was always a pleasure to be in his company, you will be sadly missed on the soul scene.

Dreadful news

Geoff and Margaret Buckley

Sad to hear this news about Johnny. A lovely lad who was well liked and respected up here in the North East.

R.I.P mate

Such sad news x

Yes very sad - a gentleman indeed

Sleep well,my friend.

Hope you got the send off you deserved my friend.  Sleep well and may your soul be at  peace.  God bless. 

Ste and Lou.  XX 

Sorry about the image quality but I had to share this . What a way to remember John by. Its absolutely fantastic 🙏 Next time I'm up in  the North East I will pause awhile and have a chat with you mate. Sleep well now 

no problem at all cheers took a bit of sorting its over 3m long too 

 

5 minutes ago, Harry 1 said:

no problem at all cheers took a bit of sorting its over 3m long too 

 

Thanks Harry. I'm not on FB and I hope I haven't stepped on your toes by posting this on here . I will delete if you want to post your pictures mate

Ste

its no bother at all Cheers Ste totally fine

8 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Sorry about the image quality but I had to share this . What a way to remember John by. Its absolutely fantastic 🙏 Next time I'm up in  the North East I will pause awhile and have a chat with you mate. Sleep well now 

Thats a great way to remember Johnny.   It looks really special.

It's a shame about John.  I travelled many miles to and from allnighters with him.  We had some good talks on records and collecting.  He did like his UK things but also had some nice USA 45's.

The last time I was in his company was at Newton Aycliffes RAFA rare soul night in 2017.

These where some of the records played that night.

On 11/06/2021 at 11:47, Winsford Soul said:

Sorry about the image quality but I had to share this . What a way to remember John by. Its absolutely fantastic 🙏 Next time I'm up in  the North East I will pause awhile and have a chat with you mate. Sleep well now 

Exactly where is the bench situated ? 

Only just found out about John,so sad to hear of his passing.First time I met him was at Bretby when Brenda Holloway and Kim Weston were on live,not long after I got back on the scene .

R I P John 

Martin Alsop

1 minute ago, El TAD said:

Only just found out about John,so sad to hear of his passing.First time I met him was at Bretby when Brenda Holloway and Kim Weston were on live,not long after I got back on the scene .

R I P John 

Martin Alsop

Good night that was 

1 hour ago, Geoff B said:

Exactly where is the bench situated ? 

Geoff. Its in Darlington at the RA Club

On 11/06/2021 at 11:47, Winsford Soul said:

Sorry about the image quality but I had to share this . What a way to remember John by. Its absolutely fantastic 🙏 Next time I'm up in  the North East I will pause awhile and have a chat with you mate. Sleep well now 

That's wonderful

When we get sorted be a night on for John they usually Friday or Sunday it’s a venue in Darlington cricket football etc anyone wants to go see it it’s out back behind