Newport today mourns the death of John Sicolo.
He was the owner and inspiration for the city's legendary 'TJs' The rock club gave Newport fame, excitement and musical chutzpah. It was TJs that won for Newport the title of New Seattle. A generation of Newportonians relished the buzz of hearing top World groups on their own doorstep. They fondly remember TJs at its thrilling best, robust, loud and bursting with talent.
After years of business and musical success, TJ's has recently been a sad shadow of its former self. I have spoken to John several times in the past few months. He was making strenuous efforts to restore TJs to its former glory. He also had strong views on planned new government legislation for the entertainment industry.
John was a former merchant navy seaman, where he served as a cook. He founded the club in 1971, first christening it El Sieco's before renaming it TJ's Disco.
Among Welsh bands who performed at the Clarence Place venue were Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and Catatonia.
Joe Strummer, who was an art student called Woody in Newport before finding fame with The Clash, played at the club a number of times in the years before his death in 2005.
Another late rock star with a link to TJ's is Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain, who is said to have watched his wife-to-be Courtney Love perform there with her band, Hole. A Facebook's site (below) has attracted a large number of sympathy messages.
In the past few months John was troubled by the declining fortunes of TJs. He was making a supreme effort to restore its past success - even to the extent of investing his pension. I had several conversations with him. Many of the Facebook messages hope for a revival of TJs. Many of those who enjoyed TJs at its best are now in their thirties. Their tributes make touching reading.
The city will offer its sincere condolences to John's family. Rest in peace, Friend.
Local candidate
Islwyn Labour Party has selected valleys man Chris Evans as Labour Candidate. He was a former researcher for the retiring MP Don Touhig and knows the constituency well. Any accusation that he has been parachuted in is false. He was selected as a local candidate by local people.
ITV Wales talked up the threat from a breakaway group. They were a gang of four but they are now a gang of three as one of them has returned to the Labour fold. It's always tempting to believe that history repeats itself. Not this time. The breakaway group have lost their raison d'etre.
Islwyn is no Blaenau Gwent.
I hope and pray that John's legend is continued and this little venue keeps bringing great bands into the area.
Posted by: kamagra | February 26, 2012 at 06:36 AM
It is a pity that people like him that he made a lot things for his city. He isn't with us anymore. But the saddest thing it is that he couldn't bring back Tj's. It would be nice that you heard more about it.
Posted by: Kamagra | October 28, 2010 at 06:15 PM
a greater loss but has had the rock, lyrics miss his talent and infected us with a rage of others, wish you were his art and his talent here with us the man was alone on their own ..
Posted by: sildenafil | April 26, 2010 at 07:41 PM
I'm 42 now and live in Swansea, however I spent many of my younger years in The Hornblower and what was then Seico's we always had a brilliant time and never any trouble. John was a great man and so down to earth everybody loved him. I'm so so sorry to learn of his death so untimely.
All my Love John RIP (The legend will live on)!!
Liz Swansea
Posted by: elizabeth.davies07@ntlworld.com | March 21, 2010 at 12:11 AM
Desperately sad news. The world's a less colourful place today.
RIP John - Rest In Peace or Rock in Perpetuity, hope you're happy wherever you are.
Posted by: DG | March 15, 2010 at 04:36 PM
Pay your tribute to John Sicolo: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=414023785832&ref=ts
Posted by: Richard Morgan | March 14, 2010 at 07:03 PM