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John Barbata
1945 - 2024
John Barbata
1945 - 2024
Obituary
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BORN
1945
DIED
2024
John Barbata Obituary
John Barbata was a drummer for such bands as The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
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(Photo: Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG via Getty Images)
16 Entries
Elliot King
May 12, 2025
I´m sure you have heaven rockin and rollin
Elliot King
May 12, 2025
Elliot King
March 26, 2025
Happy Birthday my ol friend
Jay C Ray
August 4, 2024
I remember in high school when he set his drums up in the parking lot & played -- it was amazing to watch & very musically enjoyable
How you can show support
Susan Edrington
June 16, 2024
I will miss Johny. We spoke on the phone often. We had long political phone calls. And talked about our dogs, Jude & Moses. fly high my friend.
Dennis DeKenipp
May 29, 2024
John was a personal friend in grammar school in Nutley (St Mary's Grammar School). He was at my parents house almost on a daily basis. Always had his drum sticks with him in class and he was liked by everyone. We fished together in the local ponds, played baseball, ice skated in fall and winter on those same ponds. He was good at sports and was always the first one picked when dividing up teams. i hadn't seen him since he left Nutley but all our "old friends" were always proud of his success in music. At personal reunions his name was always mentioned. i am saddened by his passing. In 6th grade he carved his initials on his desk and was brought to the principals office for a reprimand. Came back smiling as always. Your "old friend", Dennis DeKenipp
Elliot King
May 24, 2024
RIP John my old friend
I'll never forget all the good times we had. All the haircuts I gave you and hanging out when you lived in the Airplane House and you staying in my house in Laurel Canyon
The last time we saw each other was in my salon when I cut your and Leah's hair in Los Angeles and talking on the phone many times after that
Fond memories I will have for the rest of my life
Say hi to Kantner for me up there in music heaven!!
Your long time good friend Elliot King
Cyndy Brown
May 24, 2024
Johny was an amazing human being. He was kind, funny, loved life, his friends and family. God bless you Johny.
Cyndy Brown
Paul Briones Terlingua Kid
May 16, 2024
John inspired me musically tremendously with his recordings and performances with Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship!
Gary Winburne
May 16, 2024
Gary Winburne
May 16, 2024
Gary Winburne
May 16, 2024
Gary Winburne
May 16, 2024
I first met John at San Luis Obispo H.S. in the early 60's when he had just moved from Nutley, N.J. Another friend, Tom Nunes, and I had started playing guitars together and would soon form the Sentinals band with other guys from the area. John was playing in the H.S. band and we recruited him to replace our existing drummer as his talent was apparent even then. During the early years we played all over the Central Coast area and Southern California as the surf craze was popular. In 1961 we recorded our first single (Latinia) and the following summer planned a national tour to promote the record. Our manager at the time was Norman Knowles who had played sax with the Revels (had a national hit in1959 with Church Key). We regularly played at the old surf venue, the Rendezvous Ballroom (Dick Dale's regular handout), in Balboa Beach and we started the 62 tour from there playing three nights before heading out. All six of us piled into Norman's 1960 Ford station wagon and pulled a trailer with all our equipment as we were strictly low budget. That summer was pure magic and John was such a cut-up and a hoot to travel with. I joined the Air Force in the fall of 62 but followed John's career and saw him over the following years either at concerts or H.S. reunions where we reformed the Sentinals to play. When Angie and he moved to Ada, Ok, after his car accident, I visited him and he'd occasionally stay at my home when in Dallas to promote his book. John became a 'born again' Christian later in life and I know that he's now in the presence of Jesus and a member of heaven's all-star band. Save a place for me John as I'll be seeing you soon.
Mr. Jr.
May 16, 2024
My condolences.
Kevin Farley
May 16, 2024
The first concert I ever saw was the Turtles. Not only did they put on a great show , the drummer did a drum solo which blew me away. It was John. Rock in Peace buddy love Kevin
Elizabeth Bell
May 15, 2024
RIP Mr.John
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