Writer: Amy Modesti
Front man, guitarist, and songwriter of The Va Va Voodoos, John Brierley, died Sunday morning from a heart attack. Also known by his alias Johnny Mystery, Brierley was a respected Capital Region musician, author, and a columnist for RadioRadioX.com’s Xperience Monthly Magazine. In addition to his musical contributions in The Va Va Voodoos, Brierley was also a member of The Lawn Sausages (Mystery Meat Sausage), a former member of Blackcat Elliot (as their bassist) and The Mysterios.
Brierley’s partner Kate Larson announced Brierley’s passing on his Facebook timeline Sunday morning. Family members, friends, band members, and the musician community have been paying tribute to him through photographic posts of him performing at music shows, house parties, and at events, as well as written tributes posted on John’s timeline.
Brierley’s final performance was at the 2024 Troy Pig Out with The Va Va Voodoos on Sunday, August 18, in Downtown Troy. At the show, the band, also featuring members Tony Vazquez (drums) and Jo Agopovich (bass/vocals), performed their original songs, “Idle Idol” and “Goo Goo Muck”. A video of Brierley’s final performance can be viewed here or below:
Brierley was a collector of 45s and would frequent The River Street Beat Shop to collect his next record and have engaging, energetic chats with his friend and store co-owner, James “Jimmy” Barrett. He was a local music supporter through and through and would be seen at many Capital Region events including the Troy River Street Festival, The Louis, Louis Marathon held at the Wynantskill American Legion in 2022, as well as taking part in Bob Gamache’s Foodstock benefit event, which benefitted The Food Pantries of the Capital Region.
Brierley was a kind, talented man who would take time out of his schedule to chat with friends in the community, attend his friends’ art exhibits, and music shows. Brierley was also an author; in fact, he was in the process of soon releasing a book that he had written, as he had last discussed briefly alongside friends, Jimmy Barrett and Amy Modesti, and author, Don Rittner, at the River Street Beat Shop in July. A date for the book’s release is yet to be determined.
Surviving family members of Brierley include partner Kate Larson, daughter Samantha Mander, his band members of The Va Va Voodoos, The Lawn Sausages, Blackcat Elliot, The Mysterios, and additional friends and family.
Around Town With Amy Modesti founder, Amy Modesti, extends her condolences, positive thoughts, prayers, and hugs to the entire Brierley family, his band members, the RadioRadioX Xperience Monthly Magazine team, and additional friends and family whose lives he had touched in the Capital Region music and arts community. He was a good friend and supporter of the “Around Town” founder and she is appreciative and thankful for his friendship and musical contributions. May John rest in peace.
