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Jack McMahon

1948-2025

Jack was my best friend. I cannot say how much we inspired and encouraged each other throughout our musical endeavors. Wenke always said we had a “mutual admiration society”. When I first heard Jack and Owen sing back in our college days, I knew they were the real deal. Through the years our friendship grew, and I have so many fond memories of our time together.

We both had a common admiration of folksinger, Tim Hardin, ever since the early days of the Night Owl Café. A few years back, while visiting Jack, he mentioned that he knew of Tim’s final resting place. Jack picked some fresh roses from his garden, and I threw my Martin 00-18 in the backseat. Along with Jack’s friend MIchael Kearsey, we set off for Twin Oaks cemetery and sang some tunes along the way. It was a somber and moving experience, and we later wrote a song based on that visit. “Misty Roses On A Stone”.

Jack always had an idea for an adventure. Once upon a visit in upstate New York he wanted to find Big Pink. We located it on a map and proceeded to an area that was quite desolate. When we got to the site, there was a sign “No Trespassing”. I turned around, but Jack was insistent. He made me stop to ask a neighbor about it  and he said, “Sure, people go up there all the time.”  Yes, we went to Big Pink and got our selfies. So fun!

I’ll never forget when we were at a Blood Sweat & Tears concert in Greenwich Village on April 4, 1968 when Al Kooper announced from the stage the killing of MLK. We were shocked (and scared).

My friends Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon wrote a song inspired by a comic strip “The Heart Of Juliet Jones”. I took a cue and came up with the title “They’ll Di It Every Time.” I presented it to Jack and we finished it in minutes! Here’s a co-write that we both recorded.
Then there was the live GANDALF reunion appearance at MM that Jack arranged on Halloween 2013. A huge turnout with Frank Hubach and I at the autograph table- like real rock stars! Thank you Jack!.

Jack was smart, extremely talented and funny!  He leaves behind an amazing book of songs, a monumental testament to his life. He certainly never got the recognition that he deserved. Let us play those songs in remembrance of Jack McMahon.

https://jackmcmahon.bandcamp.com

I will miss you, Jack.