Leo Kottke - San Francisco, 1985

A tribute from Leo Kottke | February 23, 2001

John Fahey died yesterday morning, February 22, after sextuple bypass surgery. In his last couple days he was unable to see, speak, or move. But he could hear and comprehend. His ex-wife Melody had been allowed to visit him. She and a group of friends watched over him. And said good-bye.

In a country full of crap, John created living, generative culture. With his guitar and his spellbound witness, he synthesized all the strains in American music and found a new happiness for all of us. With John, we have a voice only he could have given us; without him, no one will sound the same.

By choice, John lived a difficult life. He made my life what it is. He recorded me, supported me and remained my friend for over thirty years. I remember his beard in my ear, when we were both playing the Wort Hotel in Jackson Hole, and his stretched voice whispering, "Sing something! You have a great voice!" He hated my voice. I remember turtles, tons of them, around his office, his home. We built a turtle sanctuary in his backyard in LA-- on Palms Boulevard, a breezy name for a concrete noise. Even the turtles were unhappy. And I remember his Prairie State guitars, his knowledge and understanding, and much early tape: John as a youngster playing in a different voice. Like Robbie Basho, he seems to have been two people--and to have made a permanent break with the first, somewhere in his twenties.

But it is his vision that enriches us. He saw who we are. He wasn't happy about it, but he told our story. And we fell down laughing, moved by what we had missed. Thank you, John.

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Used with permission. Reprinted from www.leokottke.com