RIP John Whitehill

John Whitehill died today, July 1. For many years blues fans throughout the region and beyond listened in awe to John's immaculate guitar playing. Those who attended gigs at the long since demolished Broken Doll pub in Newcastle will have fond memories of hearing John play with the Blues Burglars, later going on to tour across Europe with Paul Lamb and the King Snakes. 

John won many individual awards and in 2012 enjoyed international recognition as a member of Groove-a-matics when the band was crowned winner of the prestigious New Brunswick Battle of the Bands competition. Influences were many - the three Kings (Albert, BB and Freddie), Buddy Guy and, notably, Peter Green (hearing John play his composition Mr Green was a rare treat). John shared the stage with many blues greats, including Lowell Fulson, Louisiana Red and local lad Eric Burdon. 

In 1998 John recorded his Guitar Gunslinger album (Mo Scott and others were on the session) and more than twenty years later he was still pulling in the crowds, on one memorable occasion in December 2019 playing with Groove-a-matics to a sold out crowd at the Peacock pub in Sunderland (see photo). The band that night was part of a triple bill with George Shovlin and the Radars and Archie Brown and the Young Bucks. An undemonstrative sort, John Whitehill, a master of his craft, made it look all so easy. He'll be missed by all who had the privilege of hearing him play the blues. Russell 

Ashington Jazz Club LINK.