John K Hill

John K Hill

I was saddened to learn of the passing of John K Hill on the 29th January 2019. Aged 71.

John was an avid reggae - who lived in Melbourne, Australia.

He contacted me first sometime in the very early eighties - he loved to write letters - full

of questions about new artists and albums. After a while it became clear that he had a real liking for singers. That was not to say that dub or deejays did not interest him. They did! But singers be it solo singers or vocal

groups were his favourites. When he was sure about a certain album - he would then order it from Dub Vendors - in

the UK or a mail order outlet in the States.

After a while - I would start sending John a cassette or two - with some new album or

albums that had come my way. And it was always well appreciated by him.

Knowing that he enjoyed writing - I wondered if he would like to write some reviews

for Small Axe - and he did. When the internet came on the scene in the mid - to late nineties - Small Axe like so

many other publications went online.

John however was a man who loved the printed word - but thankfully still liked to send

on reviews of albums he really enjoyed. It didn' t bother him at all that he couldn't read

them!

From time to time I would send him a print out of the Small Axe website - which he

enjoyed reading - John though kept well away from the internet.

When more of the record outlets like Dub Vendors - gave up on there printed mailing lists

- he found it hard to keep up - thankfully he was able by then to pick some new releases

in shops in Melbourne.

Around the same time the era of the cheap international phone calls had arrived - so I was

able to deal with John's letters - a lot easier. A great person to talk too - you could always

have a laugh with him about most things.

Last summer he complained that he was having throat problems - this turned out to be the

first signs of cancer. John was stoic about it. He fought it with chemotherapy - but even

the last time we spoke - he was still interested in what was going on reggae music.

John - you are at peace - God bless - and thank you for your great friendship over the

decades. Ray Hurford - 31-1-2019.