Back in September 2019, I received an email after one of our semi-regular call-outs for new writers to join our team which said: “After 40 years in IT and process outsourcing I am current kicking my heels wondering whether to actually retire or continue working. I’ve been a music fan all my life and have enjoyed Americana before it was even identified as genre. My entry was via Grateful Dead and pub rock while at Uni in London. Since then I have explored many musical paths and built up a fine knowledge base on roots music from Jazz through country, soul, blues, cajan etc . Would love the opportunity to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with like minded souls and therefore be happy to deliver reviews etc to your goodselves.” Little did I know at that point that the sender who was a Merseyside local would not only become one of our most prolific writers but that he would move onto one of our key editorial roles for the site, editing a section which flourished like never before under his stewardship. Poignantly Martin also looked after our Obituaries, developing a series called The Song Remains which became a sad but celebratory and very important part of AUK’s coverage. My own interactions with Martin were of a lovely, kind man and this was shared by many of our team. He came with me to the funeral of another of our writers Gordon Sharpe and turned up to my 50th back in 2022 despite it being a fair old trek. Paula Cooke our Diversity Editor remembered one of the same things I did about him, that he was “always upbeat with a twinkle in his eye.”
Paul Villers, AUK’s Community Editor, noted the seismic impact that he had on the website and the artists he supported, which was a reflection more than anything else of his wide range of talents: “Martin Johnson was tireless in his support of our little endeavour of bringing the Americana genre to ever wider audiences. He was a gifted review writer, witty in his appraisals and forthright (but fair) in his criticisms. As our long standing Interviews Editor he would oversee the many interviews that we conduct over the course of a year. Indeed he has had many an artist from the obscure to the globally famous under the lens in his own interviews – always pleasant and polite but unafraid to pose the big questions. In many ways he epitomised our approach to music journalism – facts, fun and fairness.” Keith Hargreaves AUK’s News Editor agreed: “Martin was a lovely man with a great zest for life, music and the sharing of that music. Can’t think of the number of times we’ve talked about stuff,” and Jon Aird, our Tracks Editor found Martin to be “always friendly and positive when we did email and his enthusiasm shone through in the interviews”
As Richard Parkinson, AUK’s News Editor notes: “I only knew Martin from the Buxton get togethers but he was a really lovely human and he will be greatly missed. He was a fund of great stories as well as a hugely knowledgable and capable interviewer who leaves a fine body of work and has set a high bar for the rest of us.” It was those meet-ups in Buxton, the little town in Derbyshire whose Tap House has become something of a spiritual home for the team, where other writers remember Martin at his best. Tim Martin, AUK’s Books Editor comments: “Like everyone else I enjoyed Martin’s company when we met at the gatherings a lot. We had some spirited conversations about music” and Andrew Frolish our Videos Editor remembers: “Martin was such a friendly, welcoming guy – quick to smile and laugh. He had a real sparkle in his eye and was lovely and easy to chat to. At my first Buxton meet up as the new boy, Martin was the first person I recognised from his interview series. He was so welcoming and bought me my first pint of Right To Roam beer.” While AUK writer John Lee commented: “I only met Martin once, like others in Buxton, and I found him warm in wit and wisdom. His email contacts were always touched with humour and encouragement too,” Fred Arnold our Features Editor agreed that he made a huge impact in a short amount of time: “He was a lovely, thoughtful and humorous man and I say that having only met him in Buxton and on our Zoom meetings. He will be very much missed.”
Rick Bayles, our Europe Editor didn’t actually ever meet Martin in person but shared his thoughts, including discussions on Martin’s returning cancer diagnosis: “I was extremely fond of Martin and we’d frequently exchange thoughts on a variety of subjects via email. Actually meeting him was one of the deciding factors in coming to Liverpool in November and it’s doubly sad that he now wont be there. I’ll miss his wonderfully dry wit and his enthusiasm for music and for life in general. We were only recently in touch, when I took over the Shawn Colvin interview that he had set up and was looking forward to, until the resurgence of his cancer sidelined him. He was having a tough time, but was optimistic about his treatment and his chances. Martin was always optimistic, in his very matter of fact way. When the cancer was first diagnosed I remember him saying to me “Old age seldom comes alone”, an observation that has stuck with me.”
Viv Fish our Editorial Support had numerous dealings with Martin over the years and also had some recent discussions around his treatment: “I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely man a few years back when we had the AGM at Mark’s house. He was a true gentleman, warm, friendly, funny, and so, so knowledgeable about all things music. His interviews were always friendly, very gently robust and ultimately extremely interesting. He had a true talent and easy way with everyone. Just on 31st August, in an email exchange, he told me about the new treatment he was going to be having that the staff at the treatment centre were very hopeful about. As I wished him well, his very last message to me was “In the big scheme of things I’ve been very lucky, Viv. So, I can’t really complain.” How incredibly brave and philosophical. He will be missed not only as a thoroughly decent man but also as a great contributor to our wonderful community at AUK.”
And he was a great contributor – Graeme Tait, AUK’s Live Reviews Editor notes just what an inclusive person Martin was for new writers: “I have no words to describe my sadness at this news. From my first AUK AGM back in 2022, Martin was someone I connected with immediately, helping me to feel more than just welcomed, but like I belonged.”
Returning to comments from Paul Villers, “Those of us who knew him personally remember a jovial, avuncular character who enjoyed a drink, a natter, some banter but also a recognition of the deeper things in life. Having a pint with him was always a pleasurable experience particularly at the end of a very dry monologue when we would laugh and have to admit that it was in fact ‘my round’ even when it wasn’t. We didn’t mind. It was worth it just have listened to him give forth on music, life and experience. We will miss him very, very much.”
My last text exchange with Martin only happened 3 days prior to his passing where he described things with typical understatment as “stuck and a bit complicated”. It’s crazy to think that he’s not going to be around anymore, although his huge legacy will live on through our site archives for as long as we exist. As Dean Nardi AUK’s USA Interviews Editor points out, “Your song may have ended, but the melody continues to be heard” and perhaps Graeme best sums up a sentiment which all of us here would agree with, “Rest in peace, Martin. You epitomised everything that makes AUK so special.”
You can watch the last interview Martin did with Aaron Lee Tasjan in August 2026 below. With thanks to Martin’s daughter Gemma for providing the main photo.
