John Bradley, a fixture in our community and the driving force behind Booster Patrol as its founder, producer, and lead guitarist, died on March 20. He was 61. It is hard to find the right words, really. Misryoum editorial desk noted the loss earlier this week, and honestly, the silence since is louder than any guitar riff he ever played.
I remember the smell of stale coffee and old tube amps in the studio during our last session. You don’t just lose a bandmate; you lose a piece of the rhythm that keeps everything moving. I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the man—well, maybe not a ‘better’ way, but the only way I know—than to write a song for him in that specific style he mastered.
Johnny B laid down his burden late on a Friday night, with the music of his band still ringing in the fading light. Saint Peter met him at the gate, said, ‘Son, we heard you play. Leo Fender built this gold guitar and he saved it for this day.’ The choir’s been singing acapella since the world was new, but they clearly needed someone who understands the sad notes. Actually, they specifically needed him.
He wrapped his hands around that neck, felt the weight of holy gold—every fret a year of sorrow, every string a story told. He hit a chord that shook the heavens; the angels stopped to hear. It was a tone so long and lonesome that even Saint Matthew shed a tear. Peter mentioned they don’t need ‘pretty’ up there—they have harps by the score—they wanted that swampy sound that kept people coming back for more.
Now every night in Heaven, there is a sound they never had. A solid gold Fender wailing every note both beautiful and sad. The choir hits the chorus, the Almighty taps His feet, and Johnny B is boosting live up on that golden street. He played the broken-hearted blues from Beale Street to Monsignor, and now he is jamming in a place he couldn’t ask for more. Lay it down, Johnny B. Make that sound. Just hit that chord. Or maybe he’s already hit it.
When I finish the final mix of the song, I’ll put it up on Unauthorized in the Booster Patrol section. Misryoum reporting confirms the community is already sharing memories. It feels strange to type this out, but I suppose the music keeps going.