Paul Brett

John Joyce

Aug 18th, 2008 by Paul

John Joyce is a legend on the British Folk Music Scene . He dedicated his
musical career to the 12 String Guitar and was one of the very first to pioneer the instrument in the UK. Blues was his first love and he appeared with such Blues greats as Howling Wolf, Jesse Fuller, Reverend Gary Davis, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee.

He never received or sought the accolades many now feel he duly deserved. Throughout his long career he also appeared with The Levee Breakers, Velvet Opera, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Paul Simon, Roy Harper, Al Stewart, Sandy Denny, The Strawbs, Ralph McTell, Paul Brett and many more. He was highly regarded as one of the best guitar repairers in the UK. He designed the ‘JJ’ and the best selling ‘Sandpiper’ range of guitars marketed by Aria . John’s final CD is available from Fretdancer entitled ‘Statesboro Blues’ and also a duo CD with Paul Brett ‘Acoustic Power’. The later receiving fantastic Press reviews and airplay on many Radio stations throughout the UK.

” I played with John on and off for many years. He taught me to finger-pick 12 string guitar and he repaired my guitars. I consider myself privileged to have known and played with him. We did some great acoustic tracks like Dave Brubeck’s ” Take 5 ” and Gershwin’s ” Summertime “. Played many gigs and record sessions. He played on my LP’s and I on his. We made our last CD in 2000 ” Acoustic Power ” and it was the best thing we did. I loved playing Blues with John, he was a dedicated musician who spent his life playing 12 string and singing the Blues he loved so much. He was a great fan of Leadbelly and Blind Willie McTell, two of the great exponents o the Blues 12 string. I hope he is now in musicians heaven playing with those guys and hollerin’ Statesboro’ Blues to all and sundry. Give it to em Papa John ! “

Your mate…Paul

Please leave your thoughts regarding John. He may read your comments, assuming he has learned how to open his email box !!!!!!!!!!!

Click on this link to see John play http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HX9Qhqu13fw over 100,000 views ……..

***

21 Responses to “John Joyce”

on 01 Dec 2008 at 12:04 am1alison hamilton

My husband, Rod Hamilton (Folk Centre, Hammersmith) treasures a lovely, early Martin that Johnny Joyce repaired for him after he found it in a parlous state in some now forgotten junk shop (?in Richmond, Surrey) way back in the late '60s/early '70s; and also values an Epiphone acquired as the result of a swap for a 12 string Johnny coveted.

He acknowledges to this day that he and Hammersmith were privileged to have played host to Johnny and Paul, separately and collectively, on many happy, exciting and never-to-be-forgotten occasions.

Hi Alison and Rod,

I remember Rod and the Hammersmith Folk Club very well. Johnny and I had many a great evening there. It was one of the legendary London Folk Clubs in the 60's and 70s and very professiionally run.

regards to you both,

Paul
on 12 Jan 2009 at 7:50 am2Michael

I just discovered John Joyce. A truly amazing musician with a great guitar tone.

Is he using fingernails, finger picks or just the flesh of his fingers to play?
on 12 Jan 2009 at 5:46 pm3Paul

Hi Michael,

John either used his thumb and nails ( kept short) to play or he would use an old zither thumb pick made out of nickel. The tip was strengthend with an extra layer. He always said that for 12 string, they were more flexible than normal picks and gave a cleaner sound. He always used his own nails in both instances.
I agree also that John was a great player of 12 string guitar and he pioneered this instrument in the UK, something which he largely went un- heralded for during his lifetime. But from the feedback, especially from his YouTube clip, thousands of people are now appreciating his talents.

thanks for you kind comments,

Paul
on 21 Jan 2009 at 8:21 pm4Xushi

I just discovered him by random in youtube.. Very nice guitar playing. I wish I could read more about his biography, but wikipedia is empty =/
on 22 Apr 2009 at 3:07 pm5maggie kane

Hi paul,
I remember Johnny as far back as 1958 in those days you couldn't get the stetson of his head. He loved rambling Jack Elliot, and played Guthrie and Elliot all the time. even then he repaired guitars. My husband Ron Kane a very good friend of johnny also repaired guitars .sadly to anyone who remembers him Ron died january the 18th this year.regards to Dave cousins who would i'm sure remember Ron.
on 23 Apr 2009 at 11:49 pm6Paul

Hi Maggie,

Sadly, quite a few of the 'old school' have passed over the last few years. Condolences on Ron's passing but I always like to think they are all together somewhere else having a great time and making music.

regards,

Paul
on 07 Jun 2009 at 10:32 am7DAWN JENKINS

Hello Paul,

I just want to say I am very proud of John Joyce and loved him and Sue dearly, he was my uncle, it is so sad that he was never recognised for his true talent.

Dawn
on 07 Jun 2009 at 12:24 pm8Paul

Hi Dawn,

Nice to hear from you. I promised John before he died I wouldn't let his memory slip away and I have been featuring him in magazine articles and on my web sites. Plus, I put a clip of him playing "Jubillee", a track from our final CD together on YouTube. Since I did that, it has had nearly 100,000 views. This would have amazed John and hopefully now, many more people around the world know of John's talent. Here's the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX9Qhqu13fw

Stay well,

Paul
on 18 Jun 2009 at 11:16 pm9Sue Pearson(Joyce)

Message for Dawn
Hi Dawn. How are you. Thank you. I am also vey proud of John and wish so much that he had lived long enough to have read all the wonderful comments on Youtube etc.
on 05 Aug 2009 at 10:54 pm10Steve Tasker

Hi Paul

I am sure you'll find it impossible to remember but we met, along with John, in Isleworth - Maria Grey College back in about 1970.
It was when Dave Marsh and I ran the social side of the college and booked 'Velvet Opera' on a number of occasions, you rehersed in college a number of times. Still have the signed copy of Ride a Hustlers Dream - still play it too!

So sorry to hear of John's leaving us, great talent and a quite but nice guy as I recall. Still enjoy you music greatly - angler is wonderful. Glad to see you have flourished - well deserved, well don.

Best Wishes Steve
on 06 Aug 2009 at 12:21 am11Paul

Hi Steve,

Long time ago, but I do remember you at the College as we played some great shows there, both as John and me and the Velvet Opera. John's death was a sad loss and I miss the playing and chats we had. But I am still trying to keep his memory alive and he would have been amazed at the number of views (over 100,000) and comments he has had on the YouTube clip I put up. Have a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX9Qhqu13fw

Thanks for your kind comments on Songs from the Compleat Angler. As you see, I am still trying to do different, new and unique projects.

Take it easy,

Paul
on 25 Jul 2010 at 10:08 pm12Cherry Addison

I had the pleasure of working with "JJ" at Gigsville in Heston, who handled Aria guitars. Please pass on my warmest best wishes - if he remembers me.
on 29 Jul 2010 at 11:32 pm13Paul

Hi Cherry,

John passed away in 2004. He is sadly missed by all.
Paul
on 12 Aug 2010 at 8:23 pm14robert gooch

hi i am johns son in law wife is dee we are trying to buy any guitar that john owned as we have not too meney things of his thanks if you can help robert dee ne joyce
on 14 Aug 2010 at 1:18 am15Paul

Hi Robert,

John's Aria JJ signature guitars are rarely on the market for sale. Guitar Mag voted them in the Top 50 Retro guitars ever made, so they have risen in value. The last time I saw a six string advertised for sale, a few years ago, the price was £695 and the 12 string £795. I would think that they have gone up again. If I come across one I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath!

Be well,

Paul
on 16 Sep 2010 at 10:40 pm16Dave Joyce

Hello Paul,
Yesterday I finally got my hands on one of John's guitar.
It's the 6 string version and in nice condition. The chap I got it from put it away in 1986 and forgot all about it!
No problems with the guitar, however the pick-up has come away.
Would you know if this is an original fitting and exactly where it was positioned?
The top of this 14fret to the body slothead looks solid wood.
Any further info would be most welcome.
Kind regards
Dave Joyce (North Wales)
on 13 Oct 2010 at 2:04 pm17Bill

Just came across this board whilst telling my wife about John. I only knew John because he repaired my Lakewood at least 15 years ago in Twickenham. He struck me as a really nice guy; I had to visit him several times as he never got the repair done when he anticipated(!), but I didn't mind because we had such great chats together!

I didn't know he had died, so I'm sorry for those of you who were close to him. I only wish I had more to add here.

Regards
Bill
on 23 Oct 2010 at 6:11 pm18Paul

Hi Dave,

That looks like John's label. The guitar didn't come with a pick up originally, this has been added afterwards, so you will have to reaffix it where you think fit for the sound you want.

Paul
on 23 Oct 2010 at 6:16 pm19Paul

Hi Bill,

John is sadly missed by many of us who knew him, but he will not be forgotton.

Paul
on 23 Nov 2010 at 1:04 am20Chris Haskins

Just came across YT clip of John,didn`t know he had died.Hadn`t seen him since we both worked at Rosetti`s in London in late 60`s,early 70`s.I say worked but we spent a lot of time(the firm`s)playing guitars!I have some glossy photos of us both pretending to play guitars and drums for some instument ads.He also repaired my old French double bass which I still have with me out here with me in Karlsruhe,S.Germany.All the best to John`s friends and family ,also former colleagues,Chris H.
on 04 Mar 2011 at 7:13 pm21Paul

Hi Chris,

John is sadly missed by many of us. He was a truly dedicated player who spent his life promoting 12 string blues and doing some great restorations and repairs.

Be well,

Paul

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

John Joyce

21 Responses to “John Joyce”

Leave a Reply

Pages