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John Duich - A RetrospectiveJohn Duich picture

 
 
"And that's me, the too-loud guy that doesn't smile much. I'm not unhappy, just deep in thought. What am I thinkin' about? Oh, too much of the time, a lot of inconsequential garbage. But when I'm focused, on those magic nights when the elements harmonize & the tone gods smile upon me, I'm thinking about one of the few things I truly believe in: the power of music. Never underestimate or try to deny it. The power to uplift, to heal; the power to change the shape of a room or the course of people's lives. If ya think I'm dreaming, do me a favor & let a fool sleep."

- John Duich


John Duich, former lead guitarist for the Bad Examples, died Thursday, January 8th, 1998 of heart failure, in Chicago. Following is a short history:
  The Legendary Blues Band, most often referred to as Muddy Waters' last band, recorded "Keeping The Blues Alive" (Ichiban), featuring John on lead guitar and looking absolutely splendid in a suit on the front cover.

  John played lead guitar on the highly-regarded Alligator Records series, "The New Bluebloods," for Valerie Wellington during his tenure with her on "A Fool For You."

  With The Bad Examples he replaced original guitarist Tommy O'Brien in late 1991, after sharing guitar credits on the Bad Examples' signature song, "Not Dead Yet." He served as lead guitarist during their initial European tour and their extensive nationwide tours ultimately culminating in the "Cheap Beer Night" live album. A highlight of every Examples set was John leading the band on a blues standard such as Bo Diddley's "Mona." With the band's rhythm section of Pickles Piekarski and Terry Wathen he maintained a side-outfit that only played blues called The Blue Balls.
  
  John was a part of the Examples on their first European tour. A document of their experiences, and a full acoustic album recorded for Holland's Radio VARA has been released on Waterdog Records. Titled "The Two-Meter Sessions," the album is dedicated to the memory of John.
  
  He left in the Spring of 1994 to return to playing the blues both with The Blue Balls and other bands, including roots-oriented Big Shoulders (whom he had also played with prior to The Bad Examples) and ultimately finding a permanent and happy home in Lynne Jordan's band, The Shivers.
  
  He recorded as guest guitarist on many blues sessions. Probably the furthest afield from the blues was when he recorded with avante-garde rockers Mental Insect.
  
  He is survived by two sons, John Elvis and James Marshall Duich, and his sisters Kathleen Smith and Simone O'Dom.
  
  John wrote a short piece for the liner notes on "Cheap Beer Night" (where the above quote came from). To read it, please click here.

  The benefit for John's two sons held at Buddy Guy's Legends on March 29, 1998 was tremendously successful in both a monetary and emotional sense. Well over $5,000 was raised by the Chicago music community to establish an education fund for John Elvis Duich and James Marshall Duich.