[Rusty the Scoob]

We're doing a few JGB tunes sometimes... it's kind of fun to step out of the Phil role and play on Beat 1 once in a while. But I don't know much about him. So far I've gathered that:

1. He usually played a Fender P-bass, and got a real ballsy, staccato sound. (with some upright string bass, which I'm way too lazy to haul around to gigs)
2. He was Jerry's Heroin buddy and most frequent collaborator outside of the Dead
3. He had a wicked pornstar moustache
4. He plays one of those ugly little Steinberger basses on the JGB shoreline and is just barely in the mix at all. (see #2?)

Anything else? Anybody know about his background or training?

[deadguise]

I think you nailed his MO (porn star mustache lol). I'd stay away from the heroin though...
I saw JGB a few times and although he's not Phil, John complimented Jerry's playing rather well...

[NashvilleMike]

I loved John's playing with Jerry. You have to have your musical thing together to hold up the only other stringed instrument in a band with Jerry.

Jer was fortunate to have 2 dedicated (so to speak) bass players in his life.

Did Phil and John have a relationship? A lot of mutual respect I would imagine.


BTW everybody needs a heroin buddy. I love mine.

[High Peaks]

I loved John's playing with Jerry. You have to have your musical thing together to hold up the only other stringed instrument in a band with Jerry.

Jer was fortunate to have 2 dedicated (so to speak) bass players in his life.

Did Phil and John have a relationship? A lot of mutual respect I would imagine.


BTW everybody needs a heroin buddy. I love mine.

I was under the assumption that The members of the Dead didn't really think to much of Kahn. They were nervous of any outside threat that would take Jerry away from the Dead. Also as his heroin habit increased, it was apparent that Kahn was his dope buddy.

Just putting 1 + 1 together from the books on the history.

[Maybeck09]

I always like John Kahn. Watching him play is fun- his head bobbing along with the music. He'd usually be laying back with the drummer- tall and geeky, playing a stupid looking headless bass that seemed too small for him. But playing it well. And bobbing his head along.
As I understand it he grew up with wealth in Beverly Hills. Dated or married Marie Muldour? And yes while Jerry's heroin bud- he also was one of the only players to play in all versions of Jerry's various outside bands, Sisters of Mercy, JGB, all that live at the Keystone stuff. He's a player. Was- he died young too. Not sure how-sometime in the 90's I believe. This is about as good as a half baked Wiki entry!

[bodiddley]

He looked liked Johnny "The Wad" Holmes Jr. but man, he could play a mean bass.

[Pete B.]

I've seen JK bring an entire stadium of twirlers to a complete stand-still with his Bass solo on Simple Twist.

[bodiddley]

That's funny. He did get waaaaaay out there sometimes on that song.

[jdsmodulus]

JK is family he tragically died from an overdose shortly after JG. He was essential in JGs career. A legend to me anyways, sadly missed.

[Emoto]

I've seen JK bring an entire stadium of twirlers to a complete stand-still with his Bass solo on Simple Twist.

I know a certain bass player who wanted nothing to do with playing that song until he found out that nobody was going to expect the bass solo if he didn't want to take one...

[astroman99]

What was real fun to watch was when they were jamming , they'd be running up and down the same scales in the same part of the neck of their instruments, and John would seemingly get taller and thinner and Jerry would get well shorter and squatter, always loved John , always love JGB.

[ker1227]

They called him Mule in OAITW, or so the intro says. I love him though when him and jerry did that duet stint. Especially the Oregon State prison show.

[Pete B.]

I know a certain bass player who wanted nothing to do with playing that song until he found out that nobody was going to expect the bass solo if he didn't want to take one...

I guess I don't get it???
Is this about JK soloing on Simple Twist?

[Emoto]

I know a certain bass player who wanted nothing to do with playing that song until he found out that nobody was going to expect the bass solo if he didn't want to take one...

I guess I don't get it???
Is this about JK soloing on Simple Twist?

No, nothing like that. A local player I know who posts here sometimes. He does a great job on it despite his initial reluctance.

[Pete B.]

I went to see DSO last night here in Portland.
Their Bass player looks alot like John Kahn, to me.