John Blaine just passed away

electricbear · « **on:** 3 Oct 2007, 06:24 pm »

I have it on good authority that John Blaine passed away last night. I don't know any details yet as I was just told of this and am somewhat in shock. I will post if I hear more.

sturgus · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 06:53 pm »

All I can say is I am shocked and very sadden by this news. He was a very nice gentleman with much knowledge to offer. He will really be missed.
sturgus

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 06:57 pm »

Scott and I were talking last night, and Scott believed he was on the mend. Sad news, indeed.

bpape · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 07:00 pm »

This is certainly a shock. Last I heard he was doing better which is why they let him go home.

He'll definitely be missed.

Bryan

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 07:05 pm »

Sad news. My heart goes out to his family.

I never had the pleasure of meeting him.

Bob

Scott F. · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 07:27 pm »

Just got off the phone with Adrian a bit ago with the news. What a shock. Adrian will fill us in with more details on the memorial service when he learns them.

jedi35 · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 07:44 pm »

Yes, this is such a shock, and I'm walking around in a daze right now. I just got back into town today from Rolla, and got the news. I will use this thread instead of starting a new one, and will let you all know info as I find it out. I do know that John's wish was to be cremated, and the service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral. I'll keep you all posted. What a sad day...

Adrian

steve k · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 07:46 pm »

Oh my God! I just talked to him for about an hour last night and he sounded better than he did before he went into the hospital. He was full of optimism about getting back into recording eventually and was hoping to start swimming again once his doctors cleared him. We spoke of getting a GAS outing together to go down to Christ Church Cathedral for one of their regular Sunday concerts. I'm still in shock. What a shame. Our prayers are with him. He's up there with the best.
steve

jedi35 · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 08:31 pm »

Another note, to the best of my knowledge I don't think John had any other family members remaining. As some of you know, he lived alone. He used to speak of his mom, but she died many years ago.

Adrian

electricbear · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 08:45 pm »

I think his friend Joe was the closest thing he had to family.

Blackmore · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 08:48 pm »

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was such a kind, polite man with such a gift for music and recording. This truly is terrible news.

Vapor Audio · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 09:00 pm »

Unfortunately I didn't get to know John as much as I'd like to have, but I can say this. The World suffers a loss any time it loses someone who's passionate about what they do, and John certainly was passionate about his craft. He'll be missed.

Docutech · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 09:15 pm »

Wow. I will cherish the time spent with John at Steve K.'s new member get together. He was so knowledgeable and sincere. I learned a lot from him that day while enjoying the sweet sounds of Steve's Maggies. He will be missed.

BPT · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 09:48 pm »

Very sad, indeed. I feel privileged to share the time we had with him.
Chris

Scott F. · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 10:58 pm »

Thought I'd post this picture of John at the mixing console back at our Reference Recording.....

steve k · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Oct 2007, 11:15 pm »

Thanks Scott. I'll never forget his kit bag full of the best mics ever made.

drummerwill · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Oct 2007, 02:03 am »

So sad, just when we were starting to have some fun !

Willie

jedi35 · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 08:25 am »

I'm having a lot of trouble trying to digest all of this. John and I were friends for over 20 years. He was one of the first people I got to know when I moved to St. Louis back in 1985. He has been my audio mentor all these years, and I got a pair of Martin Logan speakers because of him. His beloved Threshold Model 4000 amp will be even more precious as I intergrate it into my system, hopefully next week. John was all about great audio equipment, great sound, and great live performances that lead to great recordings. He had a natural understanding of recording that few people have achieved. His recordings are among the best that I've ever heard. I didn't think that we'd lose him so soon.

I been speaking with Joe on a daily basis, and we still don't have a date and time for the service. However, he'll call me as soon as he knows something, and I'll post it here.

Adrian

steve k · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 Oct 2007, 10:11 am »

Thanks for the update Adrian. Having only known John over the last several months I'm all the more shocked and saddened that this happened. It seemed like John was truly thrilled to get to know us and even moreso to have an opportunity to bring some of his work to light. I know he spoke often of how there were so many talented local artists who would have benefited from releasing his superb recordings of them. What a tremendous loss to the community. I truly cherish the short time I had to get to share with John. He will be greatly missed. If there is anything we can do to help just let us know.
steve

ZephyrApprentice · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Oct 2007, 04:28 am »

Hi, I'm not sure how many of you know of me. My name is Joe Johnson. I am a very good friend of John Blaine. He was my audio mentor for several years. My first introduction to the life behind the mixing board was 14 years ago with John and my uncle Dan Johnson. It was with the Gateway Men's Chorus at the former Webster Music School. They performed "Meet me in St. Louie" with Harvey Firestein doing the narration. I actually got to meet Harvey and had my picture with him at the after party. I was HOOKED. At such a young age I impressed John with my appreciation for ALL kinds of music. For several years since I was hit and miss with recordings, but something happened in my life in 2003 and I moved in with John. Digital Options recording has been a large portion of my life since. John taught me everything my ears could handle and allowed me access to some fabulous equipment . Over the past 4 years I've met some of the most interesting people and I've also exposed to some exciting and moving music. My learning had progressed as far as it could setting up equipment, positioning mics, and being the second man on the headphones. I received my own equipment and went out in the world. I am now working a project with a certian violinist from a local orchestra that is begining slow, but is so much fun.

I guess this whole thing is just to let those folks out there who want to know that I am going to try to carry on for John and my love of music. I will be trying to go through all of John's entire library to try and convert everything to CD for archiving sake. I will be needing some help. I have DATs, BETAs, Cassette, and open reels to go through. This will be a slow and arduous process.

So far, there is a tentative date of Nov 3rd for John's Memorial service at Christ Church Cathedral. Early evening probably. Darwyn Apple and Pat Partridge will be performing Schubert's Ave Maria for sure. I know John touched so many lives in the music community and that many will probably want to perform. Arrangements are still in the process and I will have updates as soon as I can. Thanks for listening. I look forward to meeting anyone who was also touched by John.