That is really sad news. Johnny and Phil came from Portobello, Edinburgh-just along the road from where I live now. I can remember him back in the old days of Silly Wizard in the seventies and in duos with Phil in the eighties. I last saw Johnny a couple of years back in Sandy Bell's and we (I mean the whole company) had a great tune and crack together. He was a great guy who always had time for you if you ever met up.
Condolences to Phil, Johnny's family and friends if you are reading this.
Ah Johnny, am playing your music at home now. I am reflecting on your joy and adventurous spirit when I saw you play with Kevin and Christian and Susan.. you will be missed..
His music with Silly Wizard was a great influence on me when I started playing the fiddle. I bought all their recordings as well as John Cunningham's Fair Warning. I learnt The Mug of Brown Ale from his playing on the CD about 12 yrs ago. I have never met him or seen him in concert but still his music was part of making me so keen on traditional Irish/Scottish music. Thanks, Johnny and you live on with the people who loved your music and who learnt from your playing.
I will always associate him with the beautiful slow version of Martin Wynne's #2 on Gerald Trimble's "First Flight" album. This one track alone is a mighty legacy to remember.
i first met johnny when i helped put on some gigs with silly wizard, and with his brother phil in the 1980s. i didn't see him again until a few years ago, when we wound up sitting next to each other in a session, and it took us both the better part of an hour to figure out why we looked so familiar & for one of us (johnny) to say something about it.
so in the course of catching each other up on the last 15 years, i mentioned that i'd just started learning the fiddle, after a detour with the concertina. when i suggested that the concertina might have been a 'gateway instrument' to the fiddle, like the evil weed supposedly is to other illicit substance, johnny's eye's lit up.
he leaned in to me and said: 'you know what the fiddle is the gateway to, don't you?' i shook my head. then his eyes got really wild and he answered his own question: 'it's the gateway to *HELL*!!'
(of course, the couple other times i saw him after this meeting, he always asked how things were going with the fiddle, and offered a lot of useful suggestion and much moral support for my struggles.)
I ended up at a few social functions where Johnny also was a guest, and had the chance to talk with him -- or, more accurately, to listen to _him_ talk, which he did to great effect. Very funny, earthy and rakish.
Some years ago, my band and I had the pleasure of being the opening act for Johnny. He didn't give us the "folkie superstar" attitude at all, but wined and dined with us before and after the gig, and invited us to join him for his encore. I'm sure it was no big deal for him, but when you're novice performers like we were at the time, you really appreciate being treated like that.
What I remember most of all is at festivals when Johnny, usually with Phil, of course, would lead a pick-up group of other performers into epic medleys lasting 10, 15, even 20 minutes. There was always a lot of by-play and kidding around between Johnny and his cohorts even as they churned out the succession of reels, jigs and strathspeys, making one realize all over again that, oh yeah, this stuff is supposed to be FUN.
And, *sigh*, he was all of 46 -- which is what I'll be in a couple of months. Very sad, very troubling. Best to his family and those who knew him best.
Sad news indeed. Some years ago in California, Johnny contacted me to play flute/ whistle for a week long "Peter & Wendy" engagement. Anyway, after a few very entertaining phone calls, I had to bow out owing to teaching commitments. We decided to get together for a few tunes, but, much to the bemusement of my American musicianer-friends and his colleagues, Johnny and I got into an involved discussion on favourite childhood TV programmes (Dr Who, Stingray, Supercar etc). Not much music got played, but the craic was 90! God rest him!
The above will take you to Johnny playng a fortnight ago at the Kennedy centre.
Our thoughts are with Trisha & Phil and the rest of the family tonight.
My last post got lost - so repeat: I fear to hear of the demise of any of our Tribe of players -- the big players more than anyone. The people who move the direction of the music.
Feeling gutted, slightly lost....hard to believe that JOHNNY CUNNINGHAM IS DEAD,
I got a copy of Fair Warning only this Tuesday - it's such a good record and John Cunningham was such a beautiful Scottish player. My one regret is that I'll never get to see the Celtic Fiddle Festival live. Apart from the great grief to his family, it is a great loss to the music indeed.
My brother Martin, who played in Silly Wizard, with Johnny phoned me with the tragic news last night. I think the last sentence of Alistair Clark's obituary in the "Scotsman" summed it up perfectly. I'll miss him, and the world's a poorer place without him. Nice that so many of you have similar memories of him. I've posted one of his tunes as a tribute.
I want to share this poem written in honor of Johnny that was sent to me:
The Silent Fiddle
By Bill Watkins, writer, poet (The Errant Apprentice is
one of his best), and long time friend of Johnny's.
Bill said "pass it on - Johnny would like that."
He blazed across the heavens like a meteor
Whilst we earth-bound mortals gazed in wonder.
His flight on the swift wings of an ancient tune
Now bears his soul to the great hall of his forebears.
Majestic is the legacy of this man of mischievous might
Fierce his renown - a champion never bested.
I knew him when he was but a child
And watched that child become a man
Yet in that man a child remain.
To play, to play, always to play. A bow seldom still.
Those who loved him are legion, enjoined for now in one distress Reaching
across the globe, lover to lover, friend to friend.
Time is now for the fiddle to lie silent
The raised glass and merry jibe will come soon enough.
Many tongues shall sing the lament - the song of passing
The flowers of the forest are a' weed away.
And we shall tell stories of how he lived, laughed and loved
And he shall live on, forever the impish youth in the warmth of our
imaginings.
Those who seed the earth with such splendor can never die.
It's always springtime somewhere.
Take your ease, Johnny - have one on me.
Lessened we are for your passing, but ennobled we remain
Able to smile and say, "You were my friend."
Ohh what sad news indeed. I met him last year and he was so friendly. His wit and humor is going to be missed. I was in awe at his bowing and playing. I am going to miss him so much.
On a lighter note, I've been giving some of the old Silly Wizard albums a listen and was pleasantly surprised to find that I can now keep up with many of the tunes, although some are still outrageously fast.
Thanks Johnny (And Phil, of Course) for all the enjoyment and inspiration you've given me over the years.
Hey Friends, If you want to post your thoughts and feeling that will be read by his family, you can go here. http://www.johnnycunningham.com Go to the news link or go to the email link to actually post a message for them.
I was scanning the footage mentioned above, from the Kennedy Center, and Johnny's words just before "Auld Lang Syne" (around the 49 minute mark) are particularly poignant under the circumstances.
Johnny Cunningham
Johnny Cunningham
I got an email from the irishbox mailing list saying that the great Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham passed away last night..
Rest in peace.
Esther.
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by -esther-
Re: Johnny Cunningham
That is really sad news. Johnny and Phil came from Portobello, Edinburgh-just along the road from where I live now. I can remember him back in the old days of Silly Wizard in the seventies and in duos with Phil in the eighties. I last saw Johnny a couple of years back in Sandy Bell's and we (I mean the whole company) had a great tune and crack together. He was a great guy who always had time for you if you ever met up.
Condolences to Phil, Johnny's family and friends if you are reading this.
John
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Back for a while
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Jesus God, did he really? Oh lord. Passing of one of the greats... and here I was thinking he'd live forever...
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Apparently, he died of a heart attack yesterday. It is now possible to leave your messages of condolence on his web site.
http://www.johnnycunningham.com/
John
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Back for a while
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Oh no! How very sad! I know lots of people who will be very sad to hear this. Will keep him in my prayers.
-Max
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Max Becher
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Ah Johnny, am playing your music at home now. I am reflecting on your joy and adventurous spirit when I saw you play with Kevin and Christian and Susan.. you will be missed..
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Johnny Cunningham
His music with Silly Wizard was a great influence on me when I started playing the fiddle. I bought all their recordings as well as John Cunningham's Fair Warning. I learnt The Mug of Brown Ale from his playing on the CD about 12 yrs ago. I have never met him or seen him in concert but still his music was part of making me so keen on traditional Irish/Scottish music. Thanks, Johnny and you live on with the people who loved your music and who learnt from your playing.
Sabine
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I will always associate him with the beautiful slow version of Martin Wynne's #2 on Gerald Trimble's "First Flight" album. This one track alone is a mighty legacy to remember.
Greg
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by octogreg
Re: Johnny Cunningham
i first met johnny when i helped put on some gigs with silly wizard, and with his brother phil in the 1980s. i didn't see him again until a few years ago, when we wound up sitting next to each other in a session, and it took us both the better part of an hour to figure out why we looked so familiar & for one of us (johnny) to say something about it.
so in the course of catching each other up on the last 15 years, i mentioned that i'd just started learning the fiddle, after a detour with the concertina. when i suggested that the concertina might have been a 'gateway instrument' to the fiddle, like the evil weed supposedly is to other illicit substance, johnny's eye's lit up.
he leaned in to me and said: 'you know what the fiddle is the gateway to, don't you?' i shook my head. then his eyes got really wild and he answered his own question: 'it's the gateway to *HELL*!!'
(of course, the couple other times i saw him after this meeting, he always asked how things were going with the fiddle, and offered a lot of useful suggestion and much moral support for my struggles.)
we'll not see his like again.
sarah in portland
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by eleyne
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I ended up at a few social functions where Johnny also was a guest, and had the chance to talk with him -- or, more accurately, to listen to _him_ talk, which he did to great effect. Very funny, earthy and rakish.
Some years ago, my band and I had the pleasure of being the opening act for Johnny. He didn't give us the "folkie superstar" attitude at all, but wined and dined with us before and after the gig, and invited us to join him for his encore. I'm sure it was no big deal for him, but when you're novice performers like we were at the time, you really appreciate being treated like that.
What I remember most of all is at festivals when Johnny, usually with Phil, of course, would lead a pick-up group of other performers into epic medleys lasting 10, 15, even 20 minutes. There was always a lot of by-play and kidding around between Johnny and his cohorts even as they churned out the succession of reels, jigs and strathspeys, making one realize all over again that, oh yeah, this stuff is supposed to be FUN.
And, *sigh*, he was all of 46 -- which is what I'll be in a couple of months. Very sad, very troubling. Best to his family and those who knew him best.
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by sts
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Sad news indeed. Some years ago in California, Johnny contacted me to play flute/ whistle for a week long "Peter & Wendy" engagement. Anyway, after a few very entertaining phone calls, I had to bow out owing to teaching commitments. We decided to get together for a few tunes, but, much to the bemusement of my American musicianer-friends and his colleagues, Johnny and I got into an involved discussion on favourite childhood TV programmes (Dr Who, Stingray, Supercar etc). Not much music got played, but the craic was 90! God rest him!
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by LongNote
Re: Johnny Cunningham
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive_month.cfm?month=12&year=2003#
The above will take you to Johnny playng a fortnight ago at the Kennedy centre.
Our thoughts are with Trisha & Phil and the rest of the family tonight.
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Seasider
Re: Johnny Cunningham
What sad news! We just saw and talked to him here in San Diego a short while a go. One of his biggest fans lives here; she will be heartbroken!
What a huge loss for Celtic music!
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by heike
Re: Johnny Cunningham
My last post got lost - so repeat: I fear to hear of the demise of any of our Tribe of players -- the big players more than anyone. The people who move the direction of the music.
Feeling gutted, slightly lost....hard to believe that JOHNNY CUNNINGHAM IS DEAD,
Danny
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Nick Splease
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I got a copy of Fair Warning only this Tuesday - it's such a good record and John Cunningham was such a beautiful Scottish player. My one regret is that I'll never get to see the Celtic Fiddle Festival live. Apart from the great grief to his family, it is a great loss to the music indeed.
# Posted on December 16th 2003 by Cath
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Johnny's obit in the Scotsman can be read here:
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/obituaries.cfm
Greg
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by octogreg
Re: Johnny Cunningham
My brother Martin, who played in Silly Wizard, with Johnny phoned me with the tragic news last night. I think the last sentence of Alistair Clark's obituary in the "Scotsman" summed it up perfectly. I'll miss him, and the world's a poorer place without him. Nice that so many of you have similar memories of him. I've posted one of his tunes as a tribute.
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by Kenny
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I like to think that his roving just got a little wilder (and wider), Kenny, even if we won't get to hear it on an album.
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I want to share this poem written in honor of Johnny that was sent to me:
The Silent Fiddle
By Bill Watkins, writer, poet (The Errant Apprentice is
one of his best), and long time friend of Johnny's.
Bill said "pass it on - Johnny would like that."
He blazed across the heavens like a meteor
Whilst we earth-bound mortals gazed in wonder.
His flight on the swift wings of an ancient tune
Now bears his soul to the great hall of his forebears.
Majestic is the legacy of this man of mischievous might
Fierce his renown - a champion never bested.
I knew him when he was but a child
And watched that child become a man
Yet in that man a child remain.
To play, to play, always to play. A bow seldom still.
Those who loved him are legion, enjoined for now in one distress Reaching
across the globe, lover to lover, friend to friend.
Time is now for the fiddle to lie silent
The raised glass and merry jibe will come soon enough.
Many tongues shall sing the lament - the song of passing
The flowers of the forest are a' weed away.
And we shall tell stories of how he lived, laughed and loved
And he shall live on, forever the impish youth in the warmth of our
imaginings.
Those who seed the earth with such splendor can never die.
It's always springtime somewhere.
Take your ease, Johnny - have one on me.
Lessened we are for your passing, but ennobled we remain
Able to smile and say, "You were my friend."
le grá Seanín
Bill Watkins
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Ohh what sad news indeed. I met him last year and he was so friendly. His wit and humor is going to be missed. I was in awe at his bowing and playing. I am going to miss him so much.
Deb Little
# Posted on December 17th 2003 by deblittle
Re: Johnny Cunningham
On a lighter note, I've been giving some of the old Silly Wizard albums a listen and was pleasantly surprised to find that I can now keep up with many of the tunes, although some are still outrageously fast.
Thanks Johnny (And Phil, of Course) for all the enjoyment and inspiration you've given me over the years.
John
# Posted on December 18th 2003 by Back for a while
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Here's what the editor of the New Bedford Standard-Times had to say in this morning's paper:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-03/12-18-03/a16op004.htm
# Posted on December 18th 2003 by GaryAMartin
Re: Johnny Cunningham
Hey Friends, If you want to post your thoughts and feeling that will be read by his family, you can go here. http://www.johnnycunningham.com Go to the news link or go to the email link to actually post a message for them.
# Posted on December 18th 2003 by Mark Cordova
Re: Johnny Cunningham
I was scanning the footage mentioned above, from the Kennedy Center, and Johnny's words just before "Auld Lang Syne" (around the 49 minute mark) are particularly poignant under the circumstances.
# Posted on December 18th 2003 by ian clark
Re: Johnny Cunningham
4 years ago today. Sadly missed - RIP Johnny.
# Posted on December 16th 2007 by Kenny