Apologies for coming late to this thread.
There was a lot of sadness amongst my crowd when we heard of Jon’s passing. Even though none of us claim to know him well, he is the main reason why there is still a NS scene in my town.
When he started RSG Mod Club in 1980, the local mods from Aylesbury latched onto it from the outset and had our first real introduction to Tamla, Atlantic, Stax and the weird & wonderful eclectic mix that is Northern Soul.
I first heard him DJ at the Top of the World pub in Hemel in Sept 81; nearly 40 years on, it is still one of the greatest nights of my life. Sweet Soul Music, Ghost in my House, Land of a 1000 Dances, Tainted Love - so many sounds, so much excitement (and a quick drunken snog with an older lady from London; does it get any better for a naive 16-year old innocent from the shires?).
We went to most of the RSG events over the next 3 years (including the regular Thursday nights above Burton’s), where the Club evolved into a Northern / scooterist event. The original mod crowd from Aylesbury dropped off, to be replaced by the younger crop; I was one of a handful that straddled both crowds.
I only did a couple of events at the Unicorn, having moved back to London, but know how highly revered they were by regular attendees.
In the late 80s, early 90s Jon put on a few events at Aylesbury United with our mate Shaun Byrnes and kept the flag flying at a time that the Northern scene was waning in our locality.
I last saw him DJ at an event in Hemel one Easter Thursday about 6 years ago or so, when he brought Eddie Pillar in as guest DJ. The car load we took over almost doubled the attendance (and I am not exaggerating), but that evening re-ignited something in me. From that point on, and before lockdown, my Wife and I were attending at least 1-2 events a month (including the occasional ‘Niter). New friendships were made and Aylesbury Soul Club was born (we’re never going to be anything more than a place for local soul fans to gather and reminisce). I will be playing an RSG tribute set when we are finally allowed to reconvene.
Jon, we hardly knew each other, but, along with a trio of lads from Woking and my older cousin Mike, you were one of the biggest musical influences in my life. I thank you for putting me on the musical road that continues to bring so much joy.
R.I.P. Mr Buck.