Comments on: John Laubach (aka Johnny Ether) R.I.P.

By: Kim Milligan

Kim Milligan — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:48:25 +0000

I am John’s cousin and was deeply saddened to hear of his untimely death. I have not had contact with him in years, but as a child he was a gentle soul. I always had a fondess for him and remember him “performing” in back yard productions that his sister and I created in the summers. I am pleased to know from the posts that he found comfort and peace in his music. Love to you John!!

By: Joe Sikes / The Fabric / ODK

Joe Sikes / The Fabric / ODK — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:20:24 +0000

Johnny,

You gave our old band ODK one of its early breaks, inviting us to perform at your Transient night at Club Kaya. This was such an inspirational turning point in my life. You always managed to gather such a magical mix of uniquely creative souls. I am still friends with a few of these people today.

To me, you were one of the last hopes of the Atlanta Music and Art scene, one of the last surviving creative Jedi’s. Your leaving this world could almost signify a conclusive ending to an era of raw, experimental, artistic diversity in this spooked-out, conformist-rewarding town. I hate to portray such pessimism, but I think you would probably feel the same way if you were left here in our positions. But you would instead channel this pessimism into beautiful bursts of creative stimulus. And that’s what we all must do now. We must carry on, acknowledging your contributions and inspiration. Perhaps some of us can even pick up where you’ve left off, if we can only be as bold…

- Joe Sikes / The Fabric / ODK

By: wesley what what

wesley what what — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:41:09 +0000

that’s too bad. johnny was one of the good guys.

By: supa

supa — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:45:28 +0000

I second that Nick, there really wasn’t anything else quite like it in Atlanta. What an amazing group of folks brought together because of Johnny, like Meissa the Senegalese guy and kick ass drummers and those dancing girls. Also Johnny was DJing all kinds of international stuff that I had never heard in clubs and haven’t since.

By: Nick Pagan

Nick Pagan — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:07:50 +0000

Johnny was a man of many talents, exquisite taste and a generous spirit. He and the wonderful Transient Nights he put on at Kaya will always live fondly in my memories.

Nick Pagan
The Changelings

By: Mike Martin

Mike Martin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:52:49 +0000

I am a very close friend of Johnny’s cousin Mike Knox. I never had the pleasure of meeting Johnny, but as I understand there will be a memorial service on Monday, Dec. 8th at The Albert at 3:00. R.I.P. M.Martin

By: bobby blair

bobby blair — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:25:41 +0000

….it is as if warlhol boy took the words and memories straight from my mind….i also met johnny in 96 while working at Kaya. He was to me the coolest person i had met in my 21yrs at that time. And I of course had the biggest crush. Those were wild, wonderful, creative times in my life and Johnny was one of the most creative. Its a sadd day for many many people.
bobby blair.

By: Derek Sims aka Warholboy

Derek Sims aka Warholboy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:10:35 +0000

I am shaking as I write this! I rarely get emotional, but right now I am crying like a child lost in the night.

Johnny was one of the first people who befriended me upon moving to Atlanta in 1996. He, to me, was the ultimate in cool! A slick speedster lighting the way through the starry disco night.

I knew the moment my eyes fell upon his tattoo of Eddie Sedgwick we were going to be friends. That friendship is one of my most cherished memories locked in this black, bleeding heart.

Johnny took me under his wing and introduced me to a wonderful world of colorful people and places, dj’s and drag queens, celebrities and celebutants!

I think back to nights at Kaya. Candles burning in Toniets palm. A world around me constructed out of cardboard and creativity… all the while Mr. Ether kept it together with a steady sitar beat.

MJQ, where we entertained the masses on a Wednesday night. Dizzy, from the whirling around as Morrissey proclaimed us to be two of the last of the famous international playboys….

East Side Lounge, where he was able to let himself be a real diamond in the night. A futureclubkid guru. We all came to worship at his tabernacle of style….

There was always a comfortable ease when it came to being around him. He was the person I always knew I could go to when I needed a shoulder to lean on, or an ear to bend.

I am remembering a day he first asked me what I thought about a set of photographs he had just taken…Colorful blurs and sparkles of light that reminded me of foggy spirits dancing in the dark.

They were beautiful.

So was he…

There is a new star in the heavens tonight winking down at me.

XOXO JE

- Warholboy