John Lindberg

John Charles Lindberg, 57, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, went on to that great gig in the sky on December 10, 2016. The oldest of the four musical Lindberg brothers, John was born in St. Paul on May 13, 1959 to Beulah and Charles Lindberg, Jr. After spending most of his childhood in Roseville, John moved with his family to Siren, Wisconsin, where he developed his love of music alongside his brothers. His passion, and gift, was playing the bass guitar, something that came effortlessly to him. He could listen to an album once and then perform the entire thing perfectly, playing the bass line on the bottom while singing the top harmonies. At the age of 18, he moved back to the Twin Cities area to begin his career as a professional bass player, a career which would take him on tours across the country and the world. An unassuming master of the bass guitar, John enjoyed playing rock, jazz, zydeco, and – most of all – the blues, and his musical talent provided him opportunities to jam with musical legends like John Lee Hooker, Earl King, Hubert Sumlin, and even The Mamas and the Papas with John Phillips, throughout his many adventures. Music also brought John another family, The Butanes, who became a staple of the Twin Cities blues scene (as well as the Lindberg family Thanksgiving table). If John wasn’t playing a gig with Curt, Robb, and Virgil or laying down tracks in the recording studio, he was part of a jam session somewhere in the city, making new friends and enjoying the instant camaraderie that music inspires. John was a weekly fixture at many weekly jams, and he brought musicians together build a more intelligent and caring community. He also spent a lot of time mentoring young musicians, helping them develop their skill and encouraging them to pursue their passion. When he was back up in Wisconsin with his family, The Lindberg Brothers could frequently be found playing music together, whether it was local gigs on the weekends or just jamming together at a backyard barbecue. John was always happiest with a guitar in his hand, spending time with family and friends in the big, beautiful, musical world that surrounded him. In addition to his passion for music, John also had a love of travel and adventure, from spending the day boating out on the lake to road tripping down to New Orleans to sitting on a beach in the Virgin Islands. He also enjoyed Star Trek, telling jokes, and swapping stories with his friends and family. We are all better people having known him and having shared in his stealthy wit, humble wisdom, and immense talent. He will be dearly missed by many family members, friends, and fans across the world. John was preceded in death by his father, Charles Lindberg, Jr. He is survived by his mother, Beulah, brothers: Robert (Dawn), Andy (Alice), and Joe (Tammy); as well as nieces: Sara, Jessica, Angela; and nephews, Charlie and David. He is also survived by his partner (in crime) and (care-giving) companion, Nancy Moskop, as well as his Butanes family: Curt, Robb, and Virgil. While he was one of four Lindberg brothers, we all feel diminished by much more than just one fourth. A celebration of John’s life will be held on January 28, 2017, from 1:00 to 4:30 pm at the Siren Senior Center (23943 State Road 35) in Siren, Wisconsin.