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R.I.P. MUSIC LEGEND JOHN MURPHY

12/10/2015

13 Comments

 

John Murphy, pioneering music veteran of Experimental Post-Punk and Proto Industrial genres, shed his mortal coil on October 11, 2015. 

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Anyone who knew John Murphy, knew him as the 'quiet one', the one who was never arrogant or scene-stealing. He was happy to stay settled behind his drum set, playing for and collaborating with an array of artists. Although his musical career spanned four decades, one is hard pressed to find the same abundance of images of John as for other musicians.

He came out of the 70s Melbourne Little band scene and was instrumental in the development of experimental, post-punk and proto-industrial music. Although he was percussionist to many bands, a quick search through music videos shows that he's usually obscured or conspicuous by his absence. As a photographer, it was a rare opportunity and privilege for me to be able to capture John for an exclusive portraiture photo shoot last year. The session was at NK in Berlin during a rehearsal for an upcoming performance with Nikolas Schreck.

Some of the photos I took that day illustrate this tribute and memorial to John. You are welcome to share them, with photo credit to my name, Zeena Schreck. 
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Many who worked with John knew he had been struggling with illness for quite a long time. But he concealed exactly how ill he already was. Music was his entire life and it was clear that the thought of retirement, or resting out the illness, was not an option in John's mind. I was therefore very fortunate to have John perform with me earlier this year at WGT. It was a musical ritual invocation to Seth, the ancient Egyptian god who guides safe passage through death to immortality. It was to be John's second to last performance. 
On the night and early morning of John's passing, he was not alone. He was surrounded by a lot of love from his wife, Annie, and a small circle of close friends. I was among them. At his request, and according to his religious beliefs as a Gnostic Christian-Tibetan Buddhist, I conducted the customary Tibetan tantric Buddhist and ancient Gnostic Sethian transference of consciousness rites which bridged his passage from this waking dream reality into the ultimate reality of pure light. It was a peaceful process. John is now liberated from all pain and suffering. 
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Awake in peace, 
You-whose-Face-is-behind; in peace, 
You-who-sees-behind; in peace, 
Ferryman of the sky; in peace, 
Ferryman of Nut; in peace, 
Ferryman of the gods; in peace. 
John Murphy has come to you that you may ferry him in that ferry with which you ferry the gods
.


OM AMI DEWA HRI 

-Zeena Schreck
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13 Comments
Reiner P.
12/10/2015 09:24:06 pm

Dear Zeena,

I saw you (after 24 Years, you remember?) and John at the WGT performance and i agree with you and your words above. It is so sad and unbelievable..., I'm shocked and speechless!

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Bran
12/10/2015 10:30:05 pm

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Emily
12/10/2015 10:34:06 pm

Beautiful portraits and a touching piece.

I bid John a safe passage.

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Setken link
12/10/2015 11:17:43 pm

A very beautiful eulogy, and exquisite photos of John.

When this came though my email this morning I thought I recognized him, and on reading this post see he is from Melbourne, where I live. I looked him up on Wikipedia and see that indeed he has played in many bands I enjoyed growing up.

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disorder link
13/10/2015 07:42:53 pm

Thank you for the warm words.

There are different iniatives to support his wife Annie on Facebook. A good way to help is also this:
http://knifeladder.bandcamp.com/

"This World On Fire" is the final album from KnifeLadder initially due to be released early 2016. It now serves as a tribute to the truly talented and inspirational John Murphy, founding member and great friend, who sadly passed away on Sunday 11th October 2015.

All proceeds will go directly to his wife as a contribution to funeral costs and to support her over the comings weeks and months.

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Mike
13/10/2015 09:43:09 pm

Thanks for sharing this.
just posted yr message to relvant pages.
-admin for Zeena's online platforms.

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DeV link
14/10/2015 12:52:33 pm

Thank you for posting Zeena x

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Hunter Barr
14/10/2015 02:28:46 pm

Thank you for publishing this. Beautifully written and wonderful words portraying a wonderful man perfectly. So glad to hear of the ceremony to aid his passing too; that you were able to provide this, and that Annie was with him also. We miss him greatly. My love to Annie.

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Michael Aston link
15/10/2015 04:03:07 am

I can only say, we adored him. he played on our first records and our first album (promise) and all our early shows. He was a very quiet man, absurdly so, and yet a most ferocious musician. He was beyond. A true soul man... Thank you John, we felt so honoured that you thought we were worth destroying pedals for...LOVE and the best in the afterness..

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Michael Moynihan link
15/10/2015 04:46:14 pm

Thank you for posting these fine photos and recollections about John Murphy, a wonderful artist and inspired soul with whom Blood Axis had the honor of collaborating on two European tours in 2011 and 2013. His presence made the world a better place, and we miss him already.

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Scott
16/10/2015 11:53:28 pm

Rest in peace, Dear John. May you continue to create wherever you are , your memory lives on...

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Matt link
21/4/2019 11:36:04 pm

Listening to his music right now. Quite touched by his passing. : (

What exactly was he ill from?

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Thomas
22/4/2019 05:07:32 pm

Cancer.

Reply

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