Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 2, 2006 19:28:55 GMT -5
Area musician and one-time Q94 air personality John Baker passed away from an apparent heart attack on Tuesday afternoon, January 31. He was 44.
John used to deejay here at Q94 back during the station's early years in the early 80's, when the studios used to be in Cresson.
John was well-known as an area musician. John performed with many bands over the years since the 80's, and could frequently be involved with 2, 3 or even more bands/projects at any given time. Some of the bands John played in included Axis, Poverty Boy, Tugger, Super Fat Tuesday, Smokin' J's and others; he also frequently performed acoustic, and played in a duo with his girlfriend, Sherry Lender. John was a happy-going person, always friendly and with a hearty laugh. He was big man with an even bigger heart. He was a genuinely nice guy who helped others; he donated his talents to charity concerts, including Q-Fest a few years ago, and last summer's "Helping Hands for Hastings" benefit. John and Sherry were guests on Q94's "Backyard Rocker" several times; I happily remember January of last year, when John and Sherry were guests on the show as the AFC Championship Game was taking place. As avid Steelers fans, all three of us watched the television as we did the show, updating the score on the air and eventually consoling each other when New England beat the Steelers.
I will be devoting the last half hour of the Feb. 12 edition of Q94's "Backyard Rocker" in memory of John Baker. I will feature music from John over the years, as well as clips from John's "Backyard Rocker" appearances.
My sincerest condolences to Sherry, also John's children, Joe and Katie, and to John's surviving family, friends, present and past bandmates.
A few pictures of John:
This photo of John was taken in June of 2005 during the "Helping Hands for Hastings" Benefit.
John with Electric Avenue owner Justin Powell, during a Q94 live Harley broadcast at Electric Avenue in April of 2005.
From that same evening, John Baker and Sherry Lender.
John, rest in peace. You will be greatly missed.
John used to deejay here at Q94 back during the station's early years in the early 80's, when the studios used to be in Cresson.
John was well-known as an area musician. John performed with many bands over the years since the 80's, and could frequently be involved with 2, 3 or even more bands/projects at any given time. Some of the bands John played in included Axis, Poverty Boy, Tugger, Super Fat Tuesday, Smokin' J's and others; he also frequently performed acoustic, and played in a duo with his girlfriend, Sherry Lender. John was a happy-going person, always friendly and with a hearty laugh. He was big man with an even bigger heart. He was a genuinely nice guy who helped others; he donated his talents to charity concerts, including Q-Fest a few years ago, and last summer's "Helping Hands for Hastings" benefit. John and Sherry were guests on Q94's "Backyard Rocker" several times; I happily remember January of last year, when John and Sherry were guests on the show as the AFC Championship Game was taking place. As avid Steelers fans, all three of us watched the television as we did the show, updating the score on the air and eventually consoling each other when New England beat the Steelers.
I will be devoting the last half hour of the Feb. 12 edition of Q94's "Backyard Rocker" in memory of John Baker. I will feature music from John over the years, as well as clips from John's "Backyard Rocker" appearances.
My sincerest condolences to Sherry, also John's children, Joe and Katie, and to John's surviving family, friends, present and past bandmates.
A few pictures of John:
This photo of John was taken in June of 2005 during the "Helping Hands for Hastings" Benefit.
John with Electric Avenue owner Justin Powell, during a Q94 live Harley broadcast at Electric Avenue in April of 2005.
From that same evening, John Baker and Sherry Lender.
John, rest in peace. You will be greatly missed.