John Loder 1946 - 2005

Londonist was saddened to hear via Metafilter that John Loder, owner of one of our favourite music labels Southern Records died over the weekend. The news broke on his blog, the last post written by his daughter, Natasha:

Earlier this morning, at 12.40am, my father died peacefully at the National Institute for Neurology, near Russell Square in London. My partner Bruce held his hand througout and I stroked his head and talked to him. As he left, we both told him how wonderful he was and how much he was loved by us and everyone around him. I think it was a good death.

In an industry that has created so much utter crap, Southern Records based right here in London and Chicago has always championed great music, important music and we are sad to see the world lose one of the good guys. For the rest of the day we'll be playing nothing but Southern recordings and albums that John oversaw the production of. We are spoiled for choice; Shellac, Big Black, Babes in Toyland, The Jesus Lizard, Jah Wobble, Jesus and Mary Chain, Sweep The Leg Johnny, Fugazi, Prong, Minor Threat, Therapy?...

That's quite a legacy to leave behind and as deaths go this wasn't a bad one:

As far as I am aware, the last word my father spoke was on Wednesday, was the word "blins". This is a made-up family word that is an expression of happiness, satisfaction and either comfort or delight. He said it after eating a Krispy Kreme donut with white icing and raspberry filling.

Steve Albini and Ian MacKaye are among those leaving comments. His funeral takes place on Monday. Mourners have naturally been asked to wear jeans, t-shirts and sneakers.