Eulogy for the late Johnny Gumbo at Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar...

It was a large, emotional crowd of friends and not-so-friends that gathered on what once was Piano Shirt Friday to pay their respects to the iconic Johnny Gumbo, who passed on after last year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.  It was left to Johnny K to deliver the eulogy, and you could sense that he was having difficulty keeping it together. 

"Johnny Gumbo was an iconic character born years ago at Jazz Fest of bad behavior and a few Lucy’s Bloody Marys.  With his charming, over-the-top personality, he made friends easily, and pissed them off just as easily.  Gumbo touched each and every one of us here today, sometimes inappropriately.  That we all took time out from our busy schedules to be here at Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar for this occasion is a testament to our feelings for you – that and the fact that they really do have great Bloody Marys here!  So, on Piano Shirt Friday, we raise our glasses to salute you, Johnny Gumbo – you ugly bastard, we love you.  Cheers!"

Pool Hall Stud Mark, teary-eyed and husky-voiced, announced that the after-party was to be held down the street at Mother's, where the food and service was superb.  In honor of Gumbo, no tip.

Not a dry eye in the house.