John Wicks of The Records, RIP

October 8, 2018

John Wicks, who was frontman for ’70s/’80s UK new wave power-pop group, The Records, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Will Birch, who played drums in The Records, shared the sad news, saying, “RIP John Wicks my friend and former partner in song I’ll never get you outta my starry eyes.” “Starry Eyes” is the title of The Records’ most famous song which still sounds great (as do many of their songs). That was on The Records’ 1979 debut album, Shades in Bed, which was also a minor hit in the U.S. (retitled as The Records).

Rest in peace, John. Your music lives on. Listen to some records by The Records, and read a few remembrances from fellow musicians (Denny Laine, Peter Case, Doug Gillard, more), below.

We received very sad sad news earlier today… John Wicks, of The Records, passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Denny is so sad and shocked at the passing of another friend… https://t.co/wyfs2vfeTH

— DennyLaine (@DbhLaine) October 8, 2018

Very sad to hear this, John was a great guy, and I really dug his music. That gig in Hollywood with Jon Brion a couple years back, he was sick but just sounded so great… rest in peace John Wicks.

— Peter Case (@ThePeterCase) October 8, 2018

Remembering The Records’ John Wicks. John was a true gentleman, came to GbV shows, even opened up for us once in ‘97. A gentle melodic soul & a lovely human being. He will be so greatly missed. May he rest in peace. (This photo is from Los Angeles, 2016) pic.twitter.com/tRcAnFKOUn

— Doug Gillard (@douggillard) October 7, 2018