In Memory –
John Crawford (1923 – 2020)
by John Carmichael
B&F Novermber 2020
Sadly Scotland has lost another of its musical sons with the passing of John Crawford from Freuchie. John has been a stalwart of the Scottish music scene for longer than most people can remember as he lived into his mid-90s, outliving most if not all of his contemporaries.
John will be remembered not only for his musical expertise on accordions of all types and on the bagpipes, but also for his skill as a repairer and tuner of accordions and other musical instruments. John was a regular adjudicator at the Annual All-Scotland Championship in Perth as well as many other musical Festivals throughout the country.
However, despite all these talents, to me John’s biggest asset was his friendly and extremely helpful attitude. If you asked his advice about a problem with music, adjudication or an instrument he would immediately put you at your ease and tell you how to sort it, or else he would offer to do it for you. John had a great sense of humour and we had many jokes and laughs on the phone, especially about the music business.
One of nature’s gentlemen, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
From Brandon McPhee
2020 has been a bad year for everyone but the news about john Crawford’s passing made it a lot worse for me.
I first remember meeting john when I was ca. 11 years old and having problems with my accordion. Although we spoke on the phone regularly and have kept in touch all these years, I always enjoyed hearing the stories of years gone by of his exploits during the war, and of the Hohner factory in Germany.
His great knowledge and banter were incredible. When I spoke to John, who was of a different generation to me, it nevertheless felt like speaking to someone of my own age. I had the honour of recording a DVD with him and that was a really enjoyable day.
There was nothing john could not do with accordions. He was a rel inspiration. Age was just a number and I respected John more than anyone else and looked up to him. I haven’t just lost a hero of mine, I’ve lost a great friend.
RIP, John Crawford. We’ll play a tune again one day!
From Ian McCallum
The accordion scene has yet again lost one of its legendary musicians with the passing of John Crawford on 23rd September.
I first came to know him over 40 years ago through his repairing of accordions and his playing. When he started doing guest spots at Accordion clubs, I myself and the then named Jacqueline Dick were in his trio, and together we visited many clubs far and wide. Sometimes his brother Jim would also come along.
He had few equals and was renowned especially for his playing of pipe tunes. He will be sorely missed amongst the many musicians who visited him when they had a problem with their accordions.
Myself, Jean and Jackie dick were invited by the family to the funeral at Falkland Cemetery on 2nd October. The minister who took the service, Ian Wotherspoon, is a piper, and as the hearse arrived he played The Banks of Allan Water and The Bloody Fields of Flanders (both tunes are on John’s album, Piping on the Box.) He than played one of John’s compositions, Freuchies’ March to Lords, as the coffin was lowered – a fitting tribute for this great man. The service ended with a selection of tunes played by Jock the Box.
John will be remembered not only for his musical expertise on accordions of all types and on the bagpipes, but also for his skill as a repairer and tuner of accordions and other musical instruments. John was a regular adjudicator at the Annual All-Scotland Championship in Perth as well as many other musical Festivals throughout the country.
However, despite all these talents, to me John’s biggest asset was his friendly and extremely helpful attitude. If you asked his advice about a problem with music, adjudication or an instrument he would immediately put you at your ease and tell you how to sort it, or else he would offer to do it for you. John had a great sense of humour and we had many jokes and laughs on the phone, especially about the music business.
One of nature’s gentlemen, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
From Brandon McPhee
2020 has been a bad year for everyone but the news about john Crawford’s passing made it a lot worse for me.
I first remember meeting john when I was ca. 11 years old and having problems with my accordion. Although we spoke on the phone regularly and have kept in touch all these years, I always enjoyed hearing the stories of years gone by of his exploits during the war, and of the Hohner factory in Germany.
His great knowledge and banter were incredible. When I spoke to John, who was of a different generation to me, it nevertheless felt like speaking to someone of my own age. I had the honour of recording a DVD with him and that was a really enjoyable day.
There was nothing john could not do with accordions. He was a rel inspiration. Age was just a number and I respected John more than anyone else and looked up to him. I haven’t just lost a hero of mine, I’ve lost a great friend.
RIP, John Crawford. We’ll play a tune again one day!
From Ian McCallum
The accordion scene has yet again lost one of its legendary musicians with the passing of John Crawford on 23rd September.
I first came to know him over 40 years ago through his repairing of accordions and his playing. When he started doing guest spots at Accordion clubs, I myself and the then named Jacqueline Dick were in his trio, and together we visited many clubs far and wide. Sometimes his brother Jim would also come along.
He had few equals and was renowned especially for his playing of pipe tunes. He will be sorely missed amongst the many musicians who visited him when they had a problem with their accordions.
Myself, Jean and Jackie dick were invited by the family to the funeral at Falkland Cemetery on 2nd October. The minister who took the service, Ian Wotherspoon, is a piper, and as the hearse arrived he played The Banks of Allan Water and The Bloody Fields of Flanders (both tunes are on John’s album, Piping on the Box.) He than played one of John’s compositions, Freuchies’ March to Lords, as the coffin was lowered – a fitting tribute for this great man. The service ended with a selection of tunes played by Jock the Box.