Bix Expert Rich Johnson Was
A Friend of Many With Pleasure

by Lew Shaw

Rich Johnson was true to Bix to the end.

Rich had long been considered one of the eminent authorities on the life and times of the legendary trumpeter, who, like Rich, came from the Quad Cities area that straddles the Mississippi River in the states of Illinois and Iowa.

Retired college professor Albert Haim who initiated the Bix Forum has stated, "For those who may not know about Rich's standing in the field of Bixology, I will say that he is simply the world's expert on anything and everything that pertains to Bix and his family, and his life in Davenport, Iowa."

From the Netherlands, Hans Eekoff seconded Haim's assessment when he wrote, "As far as I am concerned, you are the last sincere guardian of the Bix legend in the United States, mainly in the Davenport area." Jim Peterson whose family has a long and rich history in Davenport is on record saying, "In one sentence, Rich is one of the most dedicated and earnest Bixophiles in the whole wide world."

When Rich Johnson was diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago, his doctor wasn't optimistic he would be around to attend the annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in July of 2007. Rich not only attended his 36th Bix Festival but was the recipient of the first-ever Bix Memorial Award for his service to the Bix Society and jazz community.

An edited version of the tribute described him as "college music major, decorated soldier, celebrated guitarist, photographer, writer, faithful friend to many throughout the world and tireless worker for the Society.

"For the past 36 years, Rich Johnson has been a treasured icon, always on the trail of undiscovered chapters in the life of Bix, his musical idol. His efforts to bring Bix's hometown history to light have caused others around the world to catch 'Bix Fever' and join in the search.

"He greatly aided in attracting top bands to participate in our Festival, but also set up jazz training sessions for school-age musicians as well as seminars with experts discussing Bix's contribution to jazz. Always looking to the future, Rich proclaimed that unless we train young musicians in traditional jazz, the music will one day be lost.

"A quiet, modest man, but with a mind packed not only with music history, but also an inexhaustible supply of jokes and sly quips, Rich did not seek honors or even thanks over his long years with the Bix Society, but he earned the respect of all who knew him."

Rich Johnson remained fairly active this past year and continued to play with several local bands until early June. He held out hope he could attend one last Bix Bash the weekend of July 25-27, but his condition deteriorated, and he spent his final days in a hospice facility.

On the Wednesday leading up to the Festival, Josh Duffee, a close friend and leader of the new Jean Goldkette Orchestra, prevailed on Spats Langham and the Rhythm Boys from Great Britain to play one last session for Rich. A group of relatives and friends gathered in the family room of the hospice, and Rich's bed was wheeled in to hear such Bix classics as "I'll Be a Friend with Pleasure" for the last time.

"I truly believe he could hear the music," his wife, Gail, said. "A good friend sat at the bedside holding his hand, and together they moved his arm back and forth to the jazz."

The next afternoon Rich Johnson peacefully passed away at age 86. Three Bix recordings that he requested were played at his funeral, and three bands performed at the reception that followed. He was buried with full military honors in his native Moline, Ill., wearing a Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society t-shirt.

On a personal note, I bid farewell to my dear friend by quoting a few lines from a poem read at my daughter's memorial service:

"We can be sad that he is gone, or we can smile because he has lived. We can remember him and only that he is gone, or we can cherish his memory and let it live on."

August 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.