GoKawiilJohn Bradley, the longtime member of this community who was the founder, producer, and lead guitarist of Booster Patrol, died on March 20. He was 61.
I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the man who was both a bandmate and a friend than to write a song for him in the style of which he was a master. You can hear the first mix of the song here; when I finish it properly, I’ll put it up on Unauthorized in the Booster Patrol section.
Johnny B laid down his burden late on a Friday night
With the music of his band still ringing in the fading light
Saint Peter met him at the gate, said Son, we heard you play
Leo Fender built this gold guitar and he saved it for this day
The choir’s been singing acapella ever since the world was new
They need someone who knows the sad notes, they say that man is you
He wrapped his hands around that neck, felt the weight of holy gold
Every fret a year of sorrow, every string a story told
... continue reading