The Brass City Cruisers are sad to announce the death of John “J.B.” Bunnell, as posted by his daughter on Facebook this morning. John most recently hosted the Solid Gold Rock and Roll Party on Sunday evenings on WATR.

During the 50’s John’s love of music was formed. He became an avid record collector (his collection ran in the hundreds of thousands) and a fan of groups such as The Moonglows, The Flamingos, The Cleftones, and the Spaniels, just to name a few. He spent countless nights going to shows at The StateTheater in Hartford, The Brooklyn Fox and The Brooklyn Paramount during the days of Alan Freed. There he saw greats like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Frankie Lyman and a skinny kid with black glasses named Buddy Holly. He was hooked forever.

John was a very good friend to the Brass City Cruisers and regularly attended our annual dinner dance and advertised for us on the air. He will be sorely missed in the Greater Waterbury area.