ABOUT BALDRY

JOHN WILLIAM BALDRY - January 12, 1941 - July 21, 2005 - Long John Baldry passed away at the Vancouver General Hospital, July 21/05 at 10:30pm after fighting a severe chest infection. He was surrounded by friends and loved ones and is now at peace. John Baldry will be remembered by his music and the love he generously gave to all those who came in contact with him. Our world is a lesser place without him, for John was a person that enhanced this world with his enormous presence and talent. Long John Baldry rocks with God. - John Frank Garcia

-  He had a right to sing the Blues! Globe and Mail Book Review: 10/20/07 by Peter Feniak
It Ain't Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues: by Paul Myers (Greystone Books)
Picture a 6ft, 7' English dandy who could bawl the blues like LeadBelly. That was Long John Baldry, a legendary figure in the early British blues scene - born in East London in January, 1941, died in Vancouver in July, 2005, as a Canadian citizen, a beloved mentor and performer, and one of the music world's great eccentrics. read full review

LJB MEMORIAL SERVICE: THANK YOU! - St. Lawrence's Church London/Sunday, 22nd July, 2007.
A big thank-you to everyone who came last Sunday for the Memorial Service held for John at St. Lawrence's Church, a place that he loved and knew so well. Family, school friends, fellow musicians and performers, close personal friends, colleagues and fans all mingled together to remember his talent and his life. The service included John's music and eulogies were read by Roger Baldry and John Bloss. A eulogy sent by Holger Petersen of Stony Plain Records was read by Robert Baldry and John's 6 year old great-niece, Claudia, read a prayer. Classical music was played at the beginning and end of the service on the famous Handel's organ. Following the service a large picnic was held in the nearby Canons Park. - Melanie and Roger Baldry.

THE MAKING OF A LEGEND - by Rod Stewart (Reader’s Digest/Dec/2004) - John had a knack for discovering talent. Ginger Baker, Jeff Beck and Brian Jones all worked with him early on. Elton John played piano in one of his bands, other Rolling Stones too – Charlie, Ron Wood, and Keith. In 1962, when The Rolling Stones were just getting started, they opened for him in London. Eric Clapton has said many times that John was one of the musicians that inspired him to play the Blues. And for their internationally televised special in 1964, The Beatles invited John to perform his version of 'I Got My Mojo Working'. -The Making of a Legend by Rod Stewart