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Thursday, 13 October 2022
RIP Yogi - Edgware's last hippy
Yesterday I bumped into Knox of punk legends The Vibrators at Rock and Roll Rescue in Camden. I was chatting all things local and he mentioned that Yogi (real name John Frederick Plumley), who lived on Manor Park Crescent had passed away recently. I was saddened to hear this. Although I've not seen Yogi for at least 30 years, he was a feature of the late 70's/ early 80's music scene in and around Edgware. He was also a regular at the Beehive. Us young punks used to refer to him as Edgware's last hippy when he turned up. He was an intelligent guy who had probably taken too many recreational drugs for his own good. On several occasions, I'd see him and start a conversation, only to be told "Man, I've just dropped some Acid, I can't talk now". He'd been to Orange Hill School with a couple of members of The Vibrators, so was quite well known in punk circles as well. He lived with his parents in a large house, although he never really invited anyone around for tea. I went once as I was buying some musical equipment from him. He used to occasionally deal a bit of cannabis, usually very high quality resins such as Nepalese temple balls. He told me he'd buy in bulk and only sell enough to ensure his supply was free. He wasn't a gangster and he was doing this in the days before the world of cannabis dealing became involved with more organised and violent crime groups. He certainly wasn't living the high life on the proceeds of crime. We only knew him as Yogi until his name appeared in the local paper after being apprehended for possession. As I recall, I may be wrong, he was charged with dealing, but explained to the judge that he bought in bulk to avoid having to spend too much time around dealers. The judge took one look at this small, unthreatening hippy and believed him. As I recall he got a small fine.
In the early days of the False Dots he helped us out on occasion with gigs, but we soon realised he was too unreliable to form part of the bands team. I'd always chat to him and I am genuinely saddened to learn he's gone. Many thanks to Christian Marks for the photo and pointing me to this video. You may find this offensive, but I am sure friends of Yogi would love to see this
Wonderful read and the video show a man of wisdom even pissed. Knew him too. Perfect eulogy and memory of a gentle, passionate, intelligent man, man. It would be so cool if there is a heaven and Jimi Hendrix greets him laughing...
I remember Yogi well from the 1970s on. He actually came around to my house to listen to music a couple of times in those happy days of vinyl LPs. Edgware won’t be quite the same without him. RIP John
For many years I thought John's nickname stemmed from him travelling to other dimensions and higher planes on his numerous trips, and then one day after having known him for many years, I thought to ask him how he came by it. I can't remember the details now, but it was nothing to do with spiritual matters and transcending the physical/material world, and was something to do with Yogi Bear!
But I think I'll stick with what I assumed was the case for so many years.
PS I only heard about six/seven months ago that John had passed on when I rang an aquaintance in Edgware about something (having moved down to the SE coast ten years ago). The last time I saw him was in 2018 when I was up in London for a couple of weeks. I phoned him on a few occasions during the following year or so - and sent him texts now and again - but I didn't get through to him or hear from him again. And I guess like everyone else, I was shocked when I heard he was gone, and in a way I didn't want to believe it. But having come across this page on Roger's blog (via a number of other pages), now I know for sure that it's true.
He told me once that he had a kid, which kinda blew my mind, as I'd known him for fifteen/twenty years at the time, and he'd never mentioned it before. It was a sad story, and as I recall it John never had any sort of a relationship with the child, which I'm pretty sure he said was a girl. I don't know if anyone else knows anything about it, but the reason I mention it is because somewhere out there Yogi's genes live on, and long may they continue to do so.
Look forward to seeing you in the next one John. Have a nice big fat spliff ready! Allan
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Wonderful read and the video show a man of wisdom even pissed. Knew him too. Perfect eulogy and memory of a gentle, passionate, intelligent man, man. It would be so cool if there is a heaven and Jimi Hendrix greets him laughing...
ReplyDeleteCaroline Gold.
R.I.P Yogi 🙏🏼🌹
ReplyDeleteRIP BUDDY
ReplyDeleteSuch a good man
ReplyDeleteI served him food many times
I sometimes would make him wait just so I can ask him questions
Wow
I remember Yogi well from the 1970s on. He actually came around to my house to listen to music a couple of times in those happy days of vinyl LPs. Edgware won’t be quite the same without him. RIP John
ReplyDeleteOne of the gentlest of gentlemen and a great friend, R I.P Yogi x
ReplyDeleteRemember Yogi well. RIP dear soul xxx
ReplyDeleteR.I.P Yogi
ReplyDeleteFor many years I thought John's nickname stemmed from him travelling to other dimensions and higher planes on his numerous trips, and then one day after having known him for many years, I thought to ask him how he came by it. I can't remember the details now, but it was nothing to do with spiritual matters and transcending the physical/material world, and was something to do with Yogi Bear!
ReplyDeleteBut I think I'll stick with what I assumed was the case for so many years.
PS I only heard about six/seven months ago that John had passed on when I rang an aquaintance in Edgware about something (having moved down to the SE coast ten years ago). The last time I saw him was in 2018 when I was up in London for a couple of weeks. I phoned him on a few occasions during the following year or so - and sent him texts now and again - but I didn't get through to him or hear from him again. And I guess like everyone else, I was shocked when I heard he was gone, and in a way I didn't want to believe it. But having come across this page on Roger's blog (via a number of other pages), now I know for sure that it's true.
He told me once that he had a kid, which kinda blew my mind, as I'd known him for fifteen/twenty years at the time, and he'd never mentioned it before. It was a sad story, and as I recall it John never had any sort of a relationship with the child, which I'm pretty sure he said was a girl. I don't know if anyone else knows anything about it, but the reason I mention it is because somewhere out there Yogi's genes live on, and long may they continue to do so.
Look forward to seeing you in the next one John. Have a nice big fat spliff ready! Allan