John King

I am Tom King, formerly a next door neighbor to John (not a relative). We played guitar a lot in the early days of learning guitar. I was sixteen at the time, and he was about fifteen. He started taking lessons and made a of progress, where without lessons my progress stalled.
He came back to Va. Beach many times when I would see him on those occasions. At those times he taught and performed classical guitar. Later he mastered the ukulele. I saw him shortly before he died and that...

I started to learn the ukulele a few years ago. I'm currently writing a speech for one of my college courses and came across John's research and history. I watched a few of John's videos of him playing. Thanks to you John, I have learned so much more about this amazing instrument. Best wishes to the family! He's still helping many.

I am new to the ukulele and was so delighted to see what this little island instrument is capable of. It is truley an expressive instrument worthy of a serious place in all types of music. Thanks to you John King. What a loss your passing is to the music community. I can't say enough about how much your playing has inspired me. You have demonstrated the sensitivity,beauty, and soul of this wonderful instrument and opened my eyes to its possibilities. Thank you so much! You have left a...

John was and will always be the premiere historian and ethnologist of the 'ukulele and all its cousins, and one of the finest musicians ever, in all categories, not just "classical on uke." We miss him.

I just learned of Johns death and I feel like someone just knocked the wind out of me. He was a true gem and the ukulele world will not be the same without him. Aside from his amazing talent, no one has researched and shared more detailed historical information about the uke as he has. He was a true historian as well as musicians musician.
All my sympathy and support goes out to his widow and family members. John King's legacy will live on forever.
Ginny Oman, Arizona.

I have just learned of John's passing, and , my heart goes out to his family. I will keep you all in my prayers.
John,
Where do I start,other than to say " I'm sorry ". My name is Jim Williams and I was fortunate enough to have John as a good friend in Va. Beach during & after my high school years.We had an apartment together for awhile.I can't begin to express how great it was to listen to John play his guitars,piano,and any other instrument he could get his hands on. He often...