Graham Parker and longtime fan Tom ” TJ ” Johnson

We lost our dear friend Tom ” TJ ” Johnson on December 30, 2013, following an epic struggle with a cursed glialbastoma mulitforme tumor on the left side of his huge, ever-expanding brain. This blog was created in order to provide a platform for the world to enjoy his delightful takes on live music.

Writing here as ” Harry Gebippe “, a fictional character used by his beloved law school professor Tony Bochino, TJ shared his encyclopedic knowledge of bands, songs, and shows with style, wit, and panache. Over the last 12 months his posts were read by viewers in 53 countries around the world. His most viewed reviews last year were Ruthie Foster 1/13, the Wallflowers 10/12, the Mavericks 4/13, and Sam Llanas and Kevin Bowe 2/13. His last review here was the Highway 61 chronicle of his road trip with Jinx in September to cover their last untraveled stretch of the Highway in Mississippi and attend the Americana Music Festival in Nashville.

His obit in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune read as follows:

Johnson, Thomas E. (“TJ”)
Age 60, of Mpls, passed away December 30, 2013 after a six month battle with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. Born May 26, 1953 in Jamestown, ND, to John and Lorna Johnson, who predeceased him. Tom was a graduate of St. John’s University class of ’75 and Duke Law School, class of ’78 (Go Blue Devils).  He served as counsel to the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee in Minneapolis since 1998, after years of private law practice. Tom was recognized nationally as an expert in consumer bankruptcy law and honored for his extensive pro bono activities. The only things he loved more than music, were his family and friends. Survived by his wife, Jinx Howell; sons, Anthony and Matthew; brothers, Steve, Jon and Chris; many other relatives, as well as many friends. The family would like to thank his treatment team at Methodist Hospital, Meadowbrook Clinic and the Frauenshuh Cancer Center, with very special thanks to Nancy Nixon RN, Oncology Research Nurse, for her compassion, advice and humor.  Funeral service [Tuesday] 11 am at Church of Christ the King, 5029 Zenith Ave. S, Mpls; visitation one hour prior to service.  Memorials preferred to the National MS Society or the donor’s local chapter of the Red Cross.  

We invite his friends and visiting viewers to post comments below in his honor.

Reach out in the darkness

Play your song forever-

no surrender, no defeat

—  Jim Dickinson