On a serene Wednesday, August 12, the soulful strummer from the iconic 80s pop group China Crisis, Gary Johnson, bid farewell at the age of 61. His passing was confirmed by his sister, Jan Hughes, on a dedicated China Crisis fan page on Facebook. While the cause of death was not disclosed, Jan’s heartfelt tribute painted a picture of a peaceful departure, with Gary’s devoted wife Jopie by his side. “Gazza was my elder brother. He left this world peacefully at exactly 12:05. It’s touching to see such lovely tributes, celebrating his remarkable talent as a bass player,” Jan shared. She fondly recalled Gary’s youthful days, strumming his very first guitar in his bedroom, a passion that set the stage for his musical journey.
Before his pivotal role in China Crisis, Gary was part of the Liverpool-infused New Wave band Hambi & the Dance, contributing to their 1982 album, Heartache. He joined the ranks of China Crisis from 1983 to 1989 and had a brief reunion with the group in 1995. During his tenure, alongside fellow musicians Gary Daly, Eddie Lundon, and Kevin Wilkinson, they propelled an impressive 10 singles into the UK Top 50, with five songs soaring into the Top 40, a testament to their vibrant sonic legacy.
Their chart-topping anthem, “Wishful Thinking,” hailed from their sophomore album, “Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two,” climbed to an impressive No. 9 spot in 1984, etching its place in music history.
Gary’s connection with the band’s frontman, Gary Daly, never waned over the years. His intricate bass melodies graced Daly’s debut solo studio album, “Gone from Here,” which debuted in May 2019, underscoring their enduring musical camaraderie.
He remained an integral part of the vibrant Merseyside music scene, gracing stages across Liverpool well into his later years. Among his favorite haunts for live performances was The Big House, colloquially known as The Yates’s Wine Lodge on Moorfields. Here, he was a beloved fixture of the Sunday live music sessions, enriching the local music circuit with his timeless talent.
Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as news of his death became public.
Commenting on Facebook one friend wrote: “I am so sorry to hear this news. It’s a long time since I last saw Gazza but I only have great memories of those wonderful times. He was a lovely chilled guy and his bass playing was absolutely sublime.”
Another added: “RIP Gary ‘Gazza’ Johnson, bassist for China Crisis, who gave us some excellent lines over the years.”
A third chimed in: “How very sad. I loved watching Gazza at the Cavern a couple of times. Such a talented musician. RIP Gazza. Thinking of Gazza’s family and his band members at this very sad time.”
Meanwhile a fourth shared: “I just heard the sad news of Gazza Johnson’s passing earlier today. A wonderful bass player. Safe travels Gazza xx