I met John at the age of 11 when we both started in class 1A in, what was then, Holywell Grammar School. 

After that we shared every single lesson together until leaving school at 18.  It was probably not until the 6th form that we became close friends.  It was strange, at the ceremony, to hear mention of "Fluff" nobody has called me that for 50 years or so and I seem to recall that for some reason, at one point, John was called "Grebe" and hence Janet became Little Grebe.

John, myself and 2 others went to the Isle Of Wight Festival in August 1970. Sadly, with John's departure there are now only 2 of us left. I had little knowledge of what music to expect but John seemed to know all about everyone.  My overriding memory is that we fell asleep during what was Emerson Lake and Palmer's 1st ever gig (it was by now well into the night) only to be awakened by them firing off cannons. This meant that we were able to see the next band on who happened to be The Doors. It seems surreal now but next up were The Who by which time it was about 5am and I then went off to bed but John wanted to stay and see Melanie.

He was a good guy.

Geoff Flavell