John didn't talk much in class, but when he did he was fascinating. His unique mind caught my attention all the time. I had a crush on him and still think about him all these years. And always will.
I am so glad that people are remembering John Booz. Even though I haven't seen him in forty years, he was one of those people I was hoping I might meet again, or at least keep up with, until I read about his death on this website. He was one of the more interesting people at NTHS, but also a nice person. Echoing Jim Butler and Tom Massman: they may not remember that I played on John's drum set during two or three sessions with Jim and Tom and Brad Dubner. I was expanding my horizons beyond the Glencoe musicians I'd been hanging out with. I believe John was in the process of giving up the drums. Ultimately I made him $300 richer by buying his drum set (most which survived 40 years in my nephew's basement in Cleveland, Ohio). I believe a lot of the conflict inside John that Jim Butler refers to came from the very interesting, very unhappy Booz family history--most of which I learned from John's brother George, who was a bit more vocal about those things. John was an intelligent, thoughtful, decent man whose introspection made him hard to approach sometimes. Breaking through was worth it, though. RIP, John.
John Warner was my best friend in 5th through 11th grades. He died in Washington state. Boy do I remember the beer, bongo board, and Risk. Only the Risk remains a staple in my family. I had several step fathers and John Booze and John Warner could relate. A few weeks before John Booz's suicide My wife and I spent some time with him art Challangers party, He shared a story of uncomfortable sexual feelings with his tortured mother as a French spy an WW2. He seemed very lonley in the end. I would like to see some of his art work if anyone has some.
Wow. Remembered the name and then the pic brought back memories of a very nice young man who was unique and introspective and I always liked talking to him. So sad.
I, also, had missed this. I never knew John well but harbored a secret crush on him. He was so handsome and quiet, with that wistful smile. Very sad to realize he passed too early.
I remember John being in my comparative religions class (I think that's what the elective class was called). Found we both had an interest in eastern philosophy and meditation (as well as weed and acid). We hung out a little bit, had some mutual friends but were not real close. The encounters we did have were deep though. I remember having some long philosophical conversations with him, getting very deep into things. We both were into art and photography as well. Seems I remember going to the Art Institute together. I wasn't a musician but had musician friends and a love for music and collected and played records and went to see live shows in high school including Frank Zappa, the Who, the Kinks, James Taylor, Traffic. Seems like I remember John joining in on that as well. My memory is full of gaping holes though. I remember one experience in particular when John and I took the EL train downtown to the Loop to the State and Lake Theater and saw Bruce Lee's first movie, Enter the Dragon (great movie by the way). We were about the only white people in the audience. I had never been in a movie theater that was mostly filled with black people. It was a participatory event with people yelling at the screen, laughing out loud and talking to each other the whole time. It was a unique cultural experience. I was sorry to hear about John taking his own life. He definitely had a melencholy side to him. I'll always remember him fondly. Seeing the older comments included Thom Hanlon. He was a friend as well. Sorry to hear about his passing. I'm about to be a grandfather for the first time. New life enters this world as other life leaves it. It's the way things go. Enjoy life while we're here and pass on the joys we can to others. Peace and love to you all.
I had a secret crush on him too, Alex. He is the only person I ever had a crush on and was too intimidated by to do anything about. He seemed so intelligent, artistic, interesting and inapproachable. It's been both interesting and sad to read this thread.
I did, too.Have a crush on him.
I knew him from my class which I forget the name of,a specialty English class senior year Mr.Pink teaching consciousness. First day of class Mr. Pink said ". . . awareness is everything." I think we read Be Here Now as a class. I don't remember anyone else from the class except John. Big crush. A wonderful mind. I still think about him, not in a longing way but as though he is a force of nature.
Julie Tomlinson
John didn't talk much in class, but when he did he was fascinating. His unique mind caught my attention all the time. I had a crush on him and still think about him all these years. And always will.
Max Wiley
I am so glad that people are remembering John Booz. Even though I haven't seen him in forty years, he was one of those people I was hoping I might meet again, or at least keep up with, until I read about his death on this website. He was one of the more interesting people at NTHS, but also a nice person. Echoing Jim Butler and Tom Massman: they may not remember that I played on John's drum set during two or three sessions with Jim and Tom and Brad Dubner. I was expanding my horizons beyond the Glencoe musicians I'd been hanging out with. I believe John was in the process of giving up the drums. Ultimately I made him $300 richer by buying his drum set (most which survived 40 years in my nephew's basement in Cleveland, Ohio). I believe a lot of the conflict inside John that Jim Butler refers to came from the very interesting, very unhappy Booz family history--most of which I learned from John's brother George, who was a bit more vocal about those things. John was an intelligent, thoughtful, decent man whose introspection made him hard to approach sometimes. Breaking through was worth it, though. RIP, John.
Bennett Webb
John Warner was my best friend in 5th through 11th grades. He died in Washington state. Boy do I remember the beer, bongo board, and Risk. Only the Risk remains a staple in my family. I had several step fathers and John Booze and John Warner could relate. A few weeks before John Booz's suicide My wife and I spent some time with him art Challangers party, He shared a story of uncomfortable sexual feelings with his tortured mother as a French spy an WW2. He seemed very lonley in the end. I would like to see some of his art work if anyone has some.
Sylvia Fuerstenberg
I remember John well. He was funny and brillian. I met him through Jim Butler I think. So sad to hear of his passing.
Joan McNally
Wow. Remembered the name and then the pic brought back memories of a very nice young man who was unique and introspective and I always liked talking to him. So sad.
Alex Jackson (Rieser)
I, also, had missed this. I never knew John well but harbored a secret crush on him. He was so handsome and quiet, with that wistful smile. Very sad to realize he passed too early.
David Wallin
I remember John being in my comparative religions class (I think that's what the elective class was called). Found we both had an interest in eastern philosophy and meditation (as well as weed and acid). We hung out a little bit, had some mutual friends but were not real close. The encounters we did have were deep though. I remember having some long philosophical conversations with him, getting very deep into things. We both were into art and photography as well. Seems I remember going to the Art Institute together. I wasn't a musician but had musician friends and a love for music and collected and played records and went to see live shows in high school including Frank Zappa, the Who, the Kinks, James Taylor, Traffic. Seems like I remember John joining in on that as well. My memory is full of gaping holes though. I remember one experience in particular when John and I took the EL train downtown to the Loop to the State and Lake Theater and saw Bruce Lee's first movie, Enter the Dragon (great movie by the way). We were about the only white people in the audience. I had never been in a movie theater that was mostly filled with black people. It was a participatory event with people yelling at the screen, laughing out loud and talking to each other the whole time. It was a unique cultural experience. I was sorry to hear about John taking his own life. He definitely had a melencholy side to him. I'll always remember him fondly. Seeing the older comments included Thom Hanlon. He was a friend as well. Sorry to hear about his passing. I'm about to be a grandfather for the first time. New life enters this world as other life leaves it. It's the way things go. Enjoy life while we're here and pass on the joys we can to others. Peace and love to you all.
Lisa Fremont
I had a secret crush on him too, Alex. He is the only person I ever had a crush on and was too intimidated by to do anything about. He seemed so intelligent, artistic, interesting and inapproachable. It's been both interesting and sad to read this thread.
Joan McNally
I think we all did!
Aria (Margaret) Norman
I did, too.Have a crush on him.
I knew him from my class which I forget the name of,a specialty English class senior year Mr.Pink teaching consciousness. First day of class Mr. Pink said ". . . awareness is everything." I think we read Be Here Now as a class. I don't remember anyone else from the class except John. Big crush. A wonderful mind. I still think about him, not in a longing way but as though he is a force of nature.