Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 10, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – memories of John By Peter F. Levine I t was a fi tting tribute and a proper sendoff for one of Malden’s more eccentric, but beloved, former residents. On Wednesday, August 25, on a hot and humid late summer afternoon, in a simple ceremony at his grandmothers’ gravesite at the Forestdale Cemetery, John Lincoln Coughlin’s (aka Preacher Jack) ashes were fi nally laid to rest. About 25 of us gathered under a shade tree beside the gravesite and listened while friends and family talked up the genius and the madness of this treasured musical icon. Big brother George rallied the troops, and with the assistance of two of Cemetery Director Jimmy Cahill’s fi nest, Michelle Connelly and John Locke, the memorial service for the esteemed piano man went off beautifully. George began the afternoon with some heartfelt memories of their early years together. Jack was always so proud of his big brother. Spoke of him glowingly whenever the urge hit him, rambling on lovingly until he ran out of big brother accolades. Boston Rock Opera founder and longtime arts supporter Eleanor Ramsay related how her first introduction to Jack was during his residency at Frank’s Steak House in the late ’90’s – how she would sit transfi xed, in amazement while he would take command of the home of the sizzling steak with his outsized personality and that killer left hand. Childhood friends Eric “Bud” Heartquist and Arthur Bergh shared some cool stories of “Growing up Preacher”: seldom heard tales of Jack before he became “Preacher” Jack. Bill Carr told a fascinating story of Jack’s big heart when in 1981 Bill was homeless. It was winter. Bill fell asleep on a bench in front of the old Liggett’s Drug Store on Pleasant Street (One Stop Mart today). It started snowing. Hours later Bill is awakened by the Malden Police, who received a report of a man covered with snow asleep on a bench in the Square. The police discover him, wake him up, then escort him over to “Jack in the Box” on the corner of Irving and Main for a coffee and something to eat. Preacher is in “Jack in the Box” holding court in a booth in the corner. He hears of Bill’s troubles. Next thing you know, Bill is staying with Preacher at his apartment on Pleasant Street. Bill would sleep on a couch. Jack would sleep in a coffi n that he had acquired at an estate sale. Yes, a coffi n. Bill stayed until he Come visit us on Founder's Day 9/11/21. We will be open at 9am. STOREWIDE SALE! Come check out the new winter hats! Pictured at Forestdale Cemetery at the memorial service for John Coughlin (aka Preacher Jack) are Pastor Paul McPheeters and John’s brother George. (Courtesy Photo) got back on his feet and says he is eternally grateful for Jack’s act of kindness. Internationally known rock n roller and accomplished artiste out of the Cape Ann area, the OG, Willie “Loco” Alexander, remembered the day he was introduced to Jack at the Bangkok Paradise in Salem by fellow musician and mutual friend David “Doc” Vincent. He felt blessed that Jack had become a part of his life on that day. Pastor Paul McPheeters from Forestdale Community Church made like Big Papi and roped a laser beam, game winning moon shot over the Green Monster – or in this case the historic WPA-era stone wall surrounding the cemetery. His remarks were refl ective, insightful and from the heart, even though he never actually met Jack. I would have bet heavy he knew Jack personally. Not the case. He spoke to a few people, including George, viewed a bunch of Jack’s videos on YouTube and was able to see right into Preacher’s soul. Amazing. Rounder Records founder and renowned author Bill Nowlin was his usual engaging self: “Just as George Thorogood and the Destroyers were at the very height of their popularity, with ‘Move It on Over’ helping earn them a gold record, it was George who introduced us at Rounder Records to Preacher Jack. The Destroyers had discovered him at the Shipwreck Lounge on Revere Beach. As anyone who ever saw him will immediately attest, Jack was a ‘force of nature.’ He was supercharged, overfl owing with energy – and very positive energy. We released three albums of Preacher Jack. The Destroyers’ rhythm section – Jeff Simon on drums and Bill Blough on bass – backed him up, and we brought in Sleepy LaBeef to play guitar. He was in his late 30s when we put out ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Preacher’ in May 1980. The last time I saw him was nearly 40 years later, in November 2019. For quite a while he had a regular gig at Frank’s Steak House in Cambridge, just three or four blocks from the Rounder offi ces. He never disappointed. I loved the music, of course – we all did – but the one memory that fi rst comes to mind is more of his stream of consciousness ‘preaching’ from the stage – in particular one time when he went off for maybe 10 full minutes on the wonders of orange juice. You never knew where he was going to go. He was a true original, and a truly wonderful musician.” Gary Cherone, singer/songwriter for Extreme and Van Halen, is a Malden boy and “Friend of Jack.” Gary mentioned to me he knew of only two musicians in his long career that had a certain brilliance, an intense brilliance and an aura surrounding them unmatched by their conMALDEN: TODAY | SEE PAGE 17 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 63 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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