Glasgow Barrowlands' ‘number one fan' to be celebrated after passing
From The Beatles to The Jesus and Mary Chain, Soapy was a huge lover of listening to the famous bands, the rising stars and – above all - supporting grassroots bands and venues.
(Image: Image of Soapy, supplied) 'Soapy was massively into music,' Susan Soutar, John's wife, told the Glasgow Times.
Susan and John met when they were 'just wains' through mutual friends at the pub.
Recalling their first meeting, Susan, 53, said: 'I was 16 and he was 18 when we first met. We grew up together and got married in 1993.
'We bonded over The Beatles, and he was a big one for going to gigs. Our first date was on April 30, 1988, at the Barrowlands. We went to see The Primitives.
'He loved the Barrowlands because it was part of our story, but also because it was preserved in an old-fashioned way and never tried to be trendy. He loved the size of it and the excitement of being in that atmosphere right before a band took to the stage.'
(Image: Image of Soapy, supplied) Soapy passed away on May 3 after being diagnosed with Melanoma in September 2021.
Though he was successfully treated, he fell in the house in March and burst his head open. He was taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and it was discovered that the Melanoma had returned, and cancer had spread to his brain. He was just 55 years old.
Soapy's funeral was held at the Barrowlands.
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(Image: Image of Soapy, supplied) By the time the 2010s started and Soapy and Susan's children were older, the pair began attending gigs together again – and promoting the concerts of small bands they knew.
Alec Dowie, a friend of Soapy's, first met him when Alec was doing social media for the venue. Soapy had called Alec asking for advice on how to host an online music festival for charity.
The festival raised £1m for charity and included sets from the likes of Kyle Falconer, The Blossoms and US rockers Counting Crows.
Alec said: 'There are certain guys in life who are a catalyst for music in Scotland – that was Soapy. He supported grassroots bands like Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 and ran the James' fan group in Scotland.'
But Soapy wasn't just about supporting music and charity – he also made it his priority to support people.
Susan said: 'He was so positive and always wanted to make people laugh, spreading joy and sparkle.
'He was the type of person to quietly notice when something wasn't right with somebody, either they had posted something negative or hadn't posted in ages. He always reached out and asked if he could help.
'People have come up to me since he passed and have said how much he was there for them during tough times.'
(Image: Image of Soapy, supplied) To honour the amazing guy Soapy was, Soapyfest will be held at the Barrowlands to raise money for Beatson and Marie Curie.
The decision for the event came as Alec believed John deserved more than to just 'fade away'.
Soapyfest will take place on August 31 and will feature live performances from the likes of Colonel Mustard, Ken McCluskey of the Bluebells and a DJ set from Phill Jupitus.
(Image: Gavin Mitchell as his iconic Still Game character, Boaby the Barman) Still Game's Gavin Mitchell - who was a personal friend of Soapy's - will be the evening's compère.
Speaking on Soapy's renowned selflessness, Gavin recalled going to visit him during his final weeks.
He said: 'He was asking about this new band and that one. Even towards the end, he was always thinking about others.
'He was so selfless. I think more people should be that way. We should all be more like John.
'I hope this event reminds people to spread joy and be kind to everyone, especially in the world we are living in right now, because that's exactly what John was like.'
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(Image: Image of Soapy's Hall of Fame Award, supplied) Gavin, alongside Billy Coyle – who set up the Barrowland Hall of Fame - presented John with a Barrowland Hall of Fame Award at the hospice shortly before he passed. It is understood that he is the only fan ever to receive one.
The event will run from 6pm to 11pm and each band will perform a cover of a James song, given Soapy's love of the band.
Tickets for the event can be purchased HERE
Though the event is expected to be an incredible night with great music, Susan admitted it will also be an emotional one.
She said: 'He would be beyond tickled and chuffed by this. He had a healthy ego about him, and it would please him immensely to know this was being hosted in his honour.
'It will be a night of mixed emotions, but the main one will be pride. I am so proud of the effect he had on so many people's lives, in small and large ways, and I'm super grateful for the many years we had together.
'Yes, he died too young, we both had plans that we could not see through together, but we had 37 very good and happy years together as true soulmates, and not many people get that.'
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