Paul "Ginty" Johnson R.I.P.
It is with deep regret and a very heavy heart that we announce the sad passing of Paul "Ginty" Johnson. Ginty left us on Monday 9th April at 12.20pm at the age of 58, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The much loved rock and blues singer died at his Leicestershire home, with his wife Gloria and daughter Lisa by his side.
He was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in January 2011, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
He managed to perform two concerts after the initial diagnosis, both for charity, and lived to see the release of his first ever album, "Out Of The Blue". That came out in November last year, sold to raise funds for two national cancer charities: Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
Ginty, as he was known to his friends and to the thousands that had seen him sing around the pubs and clubs for the last 41 years, was a former miner at Measham colliery. He worked down the pit with Measham man Cecil Buck, who had a young son who was desperate to play guitar. Ginty agreed to teach him.
Keith Buck had lessons with Ginty from the age of 10, and later they joined forces and toured the country playing gigs in various bands before forming the acclaimed duo "The Johnson Brothers". The pair remained close friends for over 40 years, with Keith going on to become a major performer in top bands, including Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash.
When Ginty announced his illness, Keith set to work to finish a recording project they had started more than a decade earlier. Almost a year’s hard work resulted in the CD "Out Of The Blue" by "The Johnson Brothers", and two sold out performances to launch the record. On November 5th 2011, the Masons Arms, just a stone’s throw from Ginty’s Donisthorpe home, was packed out for a show to launch the album. TV and press covered the CD’s release, and it flew out.
Amazingly, Ginty found the strength to perform at a second benefit concert, this time at The Miner’s Welfare Club (aka The Pokey Hole) in Moira on 27th January this year. An impressive array of star musicians was also on the bill to show their support. Tickets sold out by word of mouth in just a few days.
Since then, Ginty’s health has speedily deteriorated, but he refused hospitalisation, lately confined to his home.
For further information and for messages of condolence to be passed on to Ginty’s family, please send them here via email: kudosmusicuk@virgin.net
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday 19th April 2012 @ 2.30pm. Donisthorpe Church.
Afterwards @ The Halfway House Pub, Donisthorpe.
Floral tributes to: W.B. Bradford Funeral Directors, High Street, Measham.
Donations - which will be given to Measham Medical Centre - c/o Gloria Johnson.