The Rosedales

We are THE ROSEDALES

REST IN PEACE

Johnny Krypt

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” - Psalm 133:1

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you that our friend and bandmate Johnny Krypt has passed on. It has been more than difficult to find the words to express what we are feeling at this time as we are overwhelmed and saddened to our core. Johnny and I have been friends since we were six years old and have been playing music together since we were thirteen. To those who knew him, Johnny was absolutely hilarious and in my personal opinion the most unintentionally funny person I have ever met. His sense of humor was as unique as it was entertaining. While I could go on for hours with amusing tales and knucklehead adventures, I would rather speak to a different bond we shared through most of our lives: Music.

He was the first guitarist I ever played with and we cut our teeth in the 1980’s covering classic rock, heavy metal and all the other music we loved. We spent our time learning Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Scorpions, Rush, Judas Priest, Stray Cats, etc. while arguing who would play leads on what song. We came to an understanding that I would play leads on the Scorpions songs and he would play leads on the Zeppelin songs as Jimmy Page was one of his biggest influences. We would share leads on the Iron Maiden songs (Johnny would play the Dave Murray parts and I would play Adrian Smith’s). We honed our craft and expressed ourselves musically rehearsing in one of our parents’ basements or on stage throughout high school and college in our very 80’s cover band “Destiny”. 

Years later we would join Mark and Christian Danger to form The Onlys which would soon become The Rosedales. Those of you who have seen us live know what a presence Johnny was on stage. Standing 6’3” in a long black trench coat, top hat, and dark sunglasses with his Les Paul slung way down low he was a dark and mysterious guitar slinger and our man in black. Stage presence aside, it was his solid guitar playing and melodic approach to his solos that always stood out for me and helped shape our “Rosedales” sound. There is a unique and rare bond you share as a musician while rehearsing, sharing a stage, and creating and recording music together. It is even more rare to share this experience with friends you love and care about. Although we have been lifelong friends, I would like to think this musical bond has kept us connected when sometimes friendships drift apart. 

While it is impossible to express the sadness we feel from this tremendous loss, we are also grateful for all the wonderful memories and experiences we shared as bandmates. Honestly, we will mostly just miss our friend, John. 

Godspeed and rest in peace - Rip Fantom