John Murphy just passed away... :(
RIP!
It was end of 2014, when John told me about a few surgeries he has to undergo in 2015 and that he will not be performing for a while, and also putting other things on hold. Since then his health worsened exponentially ...
This interview (published last Saturday in English and German language) was made end of august 2015, 2 weeks after he awoke from a 12-days (!) coma: http://africanpaper.com/2015/10/10/so-if-you-dont-like-it-there-must-be-something-good-about-it-interview-mit-john-murphy/ ... despite physically very very sick, he was mentally - obviously - full of energy.
When I visited him in hospital 3 weeks ago, we were both talking about releases and concerts with Krank and My Father Of Serpents, but already then as he confirmed his participation at the Epicurean Escapism Festival 2016, I was worrying, wether this will ever happen ... In the end cancer, diabetes, damaged/malfunctioning liver ruined his body. He died yesterday Sunday morning, and as far as I am informed he died in piece.
Quote from: fin de siècle on October 12, 2015, 05:09:15 PM
This interview (published last Saturday in English and German language) was made end of august 2015, 2 weeks after he awoke from a 12-days (!) coma: http://africanpaper.com/2015/10/10/so-if-you-dont-like-it-there-must-be-something-good-about-it-interview-mit-john-murphy/ ... despite physically very very sick, he was mentally - obviously - full of energy.
I can't find the english version. I'm very curious to read it, thanks.
Quote from: Nil By Mouth on October 13, 2015, 10:03:37 AM
Quote from: fin de siècle on October 12, 2015, 05:09:15 PM
This interview (published last Saturday in English and German language) was made end of august 2015, 2 weeks after he awoke from a 12-days (!) coma: http://africanpaper.com/2015/10/10/so-if-you-dont-like-it-there-must-be-something-good-about-it-interview-mit-john-murphy/ ... despite physically very very sick, he was mentally - obviously - full of energy.
I can't find the english version. I'm very curious to read it, thanks.
http://africanpaper.com/2015/10/10/so-if-you-dont-like-it-there-must-be-something-good-about-it-interview-with-john-murphy/
you just had to click on the "English Version" to open a new Window ;)
Quote from: fin de siècle on October 12, 2015, 05:09:15 PM
It was end of 2014, when John told me about a few surgeries he has to undergo in 2015 and that he will not be performing for a while, and also putting other things on hold. Since then his health worsened exponentially ...
This interview (published last Saturday in English and German language) was made end of august 2015, 2 weeks after he awoke from a 12-days (!) coma: http://africanpaper.com/2015/10/10/so-if-you-dont-like-it-there-must-be-something-good-about-it-interview-mit-john-murphy/ ... despite physically very very sick, he was mentally - obviously - full of energy.
When I visited him in hospital 3 weeks ago, we were both talking about releases and concerts with Krank and My Father Of Serpents, but already then as he confirmed his participation at the Epicurean Escapism Festival 2016, I was worrying, wether this will ever happen ... In the end cancer, diabetes, damaged/malfunctioning liver ruined his body. He died yesterday Sunday morning, and as far as I am informed he died in piece.
Thanks for this information. This hit home. I met John a few times, recorded some music with him, and got to witness his creative juggernaut musicianship with a drum kit and cut-up stuff. Sad to hear these news.
Writing an extensive collection of thoughts for the week end.
Thanks to all who contacted me during these days.
This loss stroke me as a blow. Although we have not been in not in touch as we used to be lately, he's been always one of the best persons I ever worked/partied with.
My thoughts go to all his close friends and, especially, his wife Annie who were close to him in his latest days as in life.
I would suggest everbody who knew him to read Zeena Schreck's moving post about the one and only John. (I don't have the link right now).
http://www.zeenaschreck.com/blog/rip-music-legend-john-murphy
Please support Knifeladder in this and I hope that this won't be really their final work.
"This World On Fire" is the final album from KnifeLadder initially due to be released early 2016. It now serves as a tribute to the truly talented and inspirational John Murphy, founding member and great friend, who sadly passed away on Sunday 11th October 2015. All proceeds will go directly to his wife as a contribution to funeral costs and to support her over the comings weeks and months.
All hail The God-King!
released October 12, 2015
All tracks written and performed by KnifeLadder (John Murphy, Andrew Trail, Hunter Barr)
Produced and Mastered by Hunter Barr, Retina II Recording Studios
Album artwork (original painting "Mali 98") by Carole Graslan
https://knifeladder.bandcamp.com/
www.akicederberg.com/blog/2015/10/14/a-death-rune-for-john-murphy
(https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/12115615_830513217071302_4932082843270022156_n.jpg?oh=ac5e2272bf061068a2bdb535d250b730&oe=56C78D61)
A call for donation!
This is a call for donation to actively help John`s bereaved wife Annie in these difficult days now right after his death, being confronted with all the funeral issues, bills, etc.
It is no secret, that John and his wife Annie were always very tight at cash, especially during the past year, when the disease struck him down, making it impossible for him to earn money as a musician. That`s why we created a special paypal account and call everyone to donate for the funeral, which, we all know, costs a lot of money.
This is a great way to honor John and to support Annie for the next months.
Paypal: donationtojohnmurphy@transformed.de
Please note, this campaign will run only until Sunday, 19th October, 24:00. So hurry up!
Thank you!
Another nice article: http://www.akicederberg.com/blog/2015/10/14/a-death-rune-for-john-murphy
A friend suggested Hunter's testimony and this is the best I read so far...
https://www.facebook.com/hunter.barr
Down Under: A Musical-Metaphysical Memorial for John Murphy (1959-2015)
by Nikolas Schreck
http://www.nikolasschreck.guru/2015/10/down-under-a-musical-metaphysical-memorial-for-john-murphy-1959-2015/
(http://www.nikolasschreck.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Russ-Murphy-1945.jpg)
Russ Murphy, John Murphy's father, at the drum, center, with Graeme Bell and the Australian Jazz Band, 1945.
Russel looks very much like John. This was something we discussed a lot back in the days. I remember witnessing is drumming skills when we played with Lady Morphia and there was a huge drum kit. He sat down and started playing like an octopus and we were left speechless.
Obviously we knew he was very good, but one thing is reading about it, and another is seeing it live.
I receive today a Facebook friend request from a girl in Germany, Rebecca Walters, look at the post from the 13 oktober on her wall...
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009789397163&fref=jewel
For her John's dead is a "GOOD NEWS :D"
How is this possible to be happy with the dead of a man...?
I like more this comment:
"Greg Williams · Director at Dex Audio
I played bass with John from 1972 - 1975. We played support for AC/DC. We were just teenagers growing up. So sad but hell, he lived a life. Look at how many he touched."
It's true, his reach was far-reaching! Even the official Michael Hutchence facebook page posted an RIP due to his work with Max Q. Check out a slightly portly John banging the drums here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0TV2ArBS8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh0TV2ArBS8). The synth player (Ollie Olsen?? Not sure what role he played in Max Q) looks like he's wearing pyjamas too.
Quote from: tiny_tove on October 20, 2015, 07:56:07 PM
I like more this comment:
"Greg Williams · Director at Dex Audio
I played bass with John from 1972 - 1975. We played support for AC/DC. We were just teenagers growing up. So sad but hell, he lived a life. Look at how many he touched."
minute 1:23!!!
He looks pretty fucking bored doesn't he? I'm sure he did that stuff just to get paid.
Quote from: tiny_tove on October 21, 2015, 10:10:05 AM
minute 1:23!!!
There's a good, lengthy interview with him in a zine put out of Melbourne last century called "Year Zero", in which he talks about (among many other things) his time with Max Q. He was certainly bored with some of the attention it got him from teenagers at the time. Apparently the music industry apparachiks around Hutchinson couldn't understand what was going on. But he does mention some material from those sessions he thought was alright. Anyway, hope he got paid well for it.
In the interviews I've read with Murphy, I'm amazed just how busy he was. He seemed to have ten or so projects going at one time, and intentions of many more. He lived for his music.
Interesting, Andrew. I might sound dismissive of Max Q, but I remember a couple of those tracks fondly for what they were at the time.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on October 21, 2015, 10:27:44 AM
There's a good, lengthy interview with him in a zine put out of Melbourne last century called "Year Zero", in which he talks about (among many other things) his time with Max Q. He was certainly bored with some of the attention it got him from teenagers at the time. Apparently the music industry apparachiks around Hutchinson couldn't understand what was going on. But he does mention some material from those sessions he thought was alright. Anyway, hope he got paid well for it.
In the interviews I've read with Murphy, I'm amazed just how busy he was. He seemed to have ten or so projects going at one time, and intentions of many more. He lived for his music.
tribute compilation is out now and looks very good.