B.C. musician Long John Baldry, known affectionately as the boogie woogie man from a line in one of his hit songs, died in 2005 after a legendary career that inspired other great musicians such as Rod Stewart and Elton John.
Baldry had a long association with the Sunshine Coast. Fans remember him appearing here in the 1960s and 1970s, where he would also demonstrate how much he loved a party. In later years, he appeared on the Coast on the set of the first Beachcombers special and at the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival.
While in Gibsons to perform at a private party in 1998, he stayed at the bed and breakfast of local artist Mary Jean Brown. She realized he would make a great subject for her large portrait art, even dressed as he was at breakfast, in simple bathrobe and bare feet. She offered to paint him in such a casual but typical pose.
"To portray John, I tried to find some of the colour in his wonderful and unforgettable voice--earthy, rich and strong," she says. She also wanted to catch a little of the Gibsons water view in the background because it was the scenery that made him love this part of the world. The result was an intimate portrait that captures the vulnerability of the rock star. Now, this same portrait will be auctioned off during the month of March to raise funds for the Vancouver General Hospital's Intensive Care Unit and the Depression Research Facility, thus honouring Baldry's memory.
"Bidding will start at $4,000 and we're hoping to reach a significant dollar amount for this extraordinary painting and special tribute," says Frank Garcia, former manager and friend. "The staff at the VGH made it possible for John to pass on with dignity and peace."
Baldry died of a chest infection last July.
"Wouldn't it be great if someone from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bought it?" says Brown, who wants to take a new career direction by depicting more great musicians in acrylic.Readers wanting to read the auction rules and place their bids can log on to www.johnbaldry.com/vghauction.asp.
The winning bid will be announced immediately after the auction ends March 31. For more information about Mary Jean Brown, the portrait artist, see www.maryjeanbrown.com.
