John Pisci Obituary

JOHN PISCI John Samuel Pisci of Anthem, Ariz. passed away Dec. 15, 2011, at the young age of 64. He was born in Omaha, Neb., the son of John and Gladys (McCullough) Pisci. John was a professional musician and worked with many prominent musicians and entertainers over his career. He worked for over 25 years in Las Vegas and moved to Arizona six years ago. He is survived, and will be dearly missed, by his loving wife, Robin Pisci. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to send online condolences. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of John's favorite Charities, Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 8500, Charlotte, NC 28271, Impact Apologetics, P.O. Box 78956, Charlotte, NC 28271, Christ's Church at the Crossroads, 42201 N 4125 Drive, Ste 100, Anthem, AZ 85086.

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Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for John Pisci

7 Entries

Dr. Paul Krieger

December 17, 2024

All these years later I continue to remember John and his incredible talent. He left this life too early.

Paul Krieger

December 17, 2020

I continue to remember John since his untimely passing. His first influence on me (and many other fellow musicians) was at Englewood High School. John's musical skills on the kit, percussion and vibes were beyond any of his contemporaries. His passing at an early age was sad but fortunately he left recordings with many fellow musicians. What the heart has once owned, it will never lose.

Dave Hardin

February 7, 2012

John was a great person and a fantastic drummer. He was a true inspiration to me - Dave Hardin

2008 April - Celebrating - Cheers!

LeeAnn Jones

January 5, 2012

2011 June - Johnny giving love to Bette Bell at her 90th Birthday Party.

LeeAnn Jones

January 5, 2012

Jess Gerardi

January 5, 2012

I only really knew John when he was a student at Englewood High School. He was not my student, but I was the band director at Flood Junior High School when John was a senior. I remember him as being a great drummer, and many students looked up to him as a person they wanted to emulate. John set a standard at Englewood HS, and when I became the band director there the Fall of 1967, that standard was well in place. As a result, there was always at least one (sometimes more) great drummer at Englewood HS for the 21 years I taught there.

I kept in touch with John's life and activities through my good friend Jon Wiegardt. John Pisci had a great career in music and entertainment. I was so sorry that John had to suffer so long and leave this earth so young. My sincerest sympathy to Robin and other family members.

January 2, 2012

This message to Johnny's wife, Robin.

I am a classmate from Johnny's past. Probably he never spoke about me or even remembered me. But, I have never forgotten Johnny. He was a year ahead at Englewood High School; a wonderful school where we both honed our musical skills thanks to the exceptionally talented Jon Wiegardt, who as the best teacher around provided a incredibly wide range of musical experiences and opportunities. Johnny and I were percussion rivals (in a good way) often challenging each other for first chair band seats, etc. I was a good percussionist but Johnny was in a different league. His jazz and drum kit skills were out of the park. Before graduation rolled around Johnny was already playing professional gigs all over Denver.

Since graduating from high school in 1966 I often thought about Johnny and from time to time heard that he was in Las Vegas playing with Tom Jones and others. Believe me when I tell you that I not only often thought about Johnny and wondered how life had been treating him, but his name came up in conversation frequently over the years when jazz and music entered my conversations. I always wondered where Johnny was and what he was up to, how things had turned out for him. A few years ago I was able to make contact with Jon Wiegardt who told me that Johnny was in Las Vegas. Jon gave me Johnny's address information but sadly I never followed up in time to say hello. I regret this so much. It would have been nice to tell Johnny in person my thoughts of so many years: Probably the three most influential musicians in my life have been my older brother, Jon Wiegardt and Johnny. It may sound strange coming from someone who never made contact for so long but it's true. Not only was Johnny an exceptionally talented musician who inspired, but I remember his sense of humor. Whether or not that stayed with him as an adult I don't know but I suspect it probably did. We often clowned around in the percussion section (much to "Mr. Wiegardt's" dismay I'm sure). Johnny always had a quick witty remark, about almost anything. I also recall that the scope of his girl watching was- ahâ€¦well - impressive! (testosterone time!) Johnny had a great sense of humor but he also knew when to focus and this was routinely obvious when he picked up sticks or mallets and began playing anything - drums, cymbals, timpani, vibes, even piano and other instruments. I remember his left-hand finger control as he was approaching the speed and control of the great drummer Joe Morello.

I have always liked the following message meant for those who have been preceded by a loved one. Maybe it will help you, too, during this time of Johnny's passing: What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget. I do not know the turn of events in his life or yours with him, Robin, but I want to offer this tribute that Johnny's early life had an impact on me, and I suspect many many others. I am thankful for the opportunity to have at least shared a short time getting knowing Johnny. His memory has been with me all these years, and although he precedes us in death, his memory will never die.
I want to attend Johnny's funeral/memorial but since this may not possible I wanted to send my thoughts and deepest sympathies to you and to those who are missing his physical presence.
Paul Krieger
Santa Barbara, CA

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