The Electra Forums

Dear Forum Members,

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Here is the address of Joe's family. I'm sure they would love to hear from y'all. Sorry for not including it sooner. C.R.

Mr. William Cannon & Family
2967 Lee Pyle Road
DeSoto, MO 63020
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I'm sorry to have to make this post, and I also realize it's not exactly a "Vintage Electra" topic. It just felt right to post here.

On November 12, 2014 our good friend and colleague, ozarkcannon/Joe Cannon finally escaped this world of troubles and suffering. I spoke with his father this morning, and one of the first things he told me was how much Joe loved this Forum, and the many friendships he made here. He also said that through Joe's years of pain, illness, and other troubles, it was most likely the GUITAR that kept him going. I don't have any hesitation in believing that, and I'm sure y'all know it, too..

Joe was the best sort of Electra collector. He was as interested in amassing knowledge, as he was in the guitars themselves. The whole concept of a shared information base drove much of what he did. He bought the strays and mongrels, as often as the closet classic, and reported on both types with a keen eye for detail.

Joe was also a collaborator, teacher, and helper. He was always glad to provide a pickguard template, pickup reading, or tear down one of his choice guitars to provide some minute piece of information. What a friend! How he treasured his life in the Forum! In spite of the many troubles Joe faced, he also shared his keen wit and sense of humor with us. He always showed his best side on the boards, rarely even hinting at the pain and sorrow in his life. That is how I want to remember Joe.

I did a fair number of deals and trades with Joe, deals that always managed to make both sides feel well treated. Whether it was a single tuner or a whole guitar, Joe was a fair trader... a moniker I wouldn't mind having when my time comes. Looking over my guitars today I found two that I still had from dealing with Joe, both of which I believe he posted here; the Elvin Bishop with the upside down/left-handed logo, and the twisted neck X810, a massive project. It's going to be a bit harder to sell them when they're finished. I also noticed, behind a pile of cases in the corner, the Daion PMXX he craved. I'm so sorry now that I never got around to even starting on that one. There must be a lesson there somewhere.

Those of you who wish to can write to his family using Joe's email address: ozarkcannon@clear.net. Put his father's name, Bill Cannon, in the subject line. I know it would be a great comfort to them to hear from his friends around the world.

Finally, I'm working with Joe's dad to dismantle his collection. Everything will be posted here first before going to eBay, or elsewhere. This will take some time, but I'm making it a priority, so hang in there, friends. You can reach me through the Forum.

Y'all have inspired me many times here, but never so much as when Bill told me of Joe's love for the Forum. Yes, love. I do believe it was that love that sustained him in many ways these past few years. Keep it up, good people. Perhaps Joe could be commemorated in some way at the next Electrafest... an ozarkcannon award, maybe.

I can't close without mentioning that Joe was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, and I salute his service, and his sacrifice to our country.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this,

METESKY/C.R. Cheney

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"... can't seem to hit that Bb right."

It is indeed a sad day for our forum. Joe will be missed. I only knew him from our postings on the forum, but I enjoyed everything he did here and had only heard great things about him from people who dealt with him. Rest in peace my friend. yyzrondo aka Rondo Miller

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

This is indeed sad news. Joe was a fellow veteran and a good friend that also enjoyed the electras we all enjoy. Joe was always looking to share his knowledge and love for the brand as well as help out anyone that asked. I Salute Joe for all he has contributed and for his Service to our Nation and Forum. You will be missed my friend. Semper Fidelis Arthur aka mortarman120gang11c.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Ahhhh.... I did wonder. It saddens me to hear this and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family and friends.

One of lifes' true gentlemen; you shall be missed by this kiwi!

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

very sad news indeed

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Thorny

I bought a couple Gits from Joe and he was straight up and a pleasure to do business with...The last time i spoke with him was maybe 10 months ago. I only had contact with him regarding the Gits and did not know him personally like some of you but I feel really down to hear this news. I offer my condolences to his family and friends and I am very sorry for their loss.

This is such sad news. I only new him through the forum but he was always ready to help a fellow enthusiast. Please extend my, and I am sure all of our, condolences to his dad.

So very sad... Joe was truly a gentleman. He cared. Not many do anymore.

Very blessed to have had conversations with him, I always felt grateful somehow just to be in contact with Joe (some of you may have felt the same way).

Thank you Joe for your generosity and for just being a great, down to earth guy. You had fortitude and weren't afraid to stick to your guns, you were an example to others, you truly made our forum a better place. We will miss you greatly.

For Joe's family, we are deeply sorry for your loss, may God bless and comfort you in this season of grief.

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton

Hey there friends,

I just want to thank all of you who posted here, or to me privately about Joe's/ozarcannon's passing. I'm starting to gather things together to forward to his family if there's anything else you'd care to add.

I apologize for not posting this before, but here's a short obituary.


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Memorials/Donations
Stray Animal Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St Louis, Missouri 63103

Obituary
Joseph B. Cannon, 50, entered into eternal rest on November 13, 2014 in Hillsboro, Missouri. Joseph played the guitar; enjoyed fishing and mushroom hunting. He fixed and renovated motorcycles. He was a service technician in heating and cooling. Mr. Cannon served in the United States Army. Born December 6, 1963 in St. Louis; he was the son of William "Bill" Cannon of DeSoto and the late Lareda (Nee Byers) Barks.

Surviving family members are his father and step-mother, Delia Cannon of DeSoto; a son, Zachary Cannon of Lincoln, NE; four sisters: Barbara (husband, Mark ) Waltz of Merrill, IA, Rebecca Cannon of DeSoto, MO, Jennifer Keal of St. Louis, MO and Teal (husband, Greg) Moore of Farmington, MO; several nieces, nephews and friends.

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Of course, we all have to love that the first thing listed was JOE WAS A GUITAR PLAYER! More than a buyer, seller, restorer, builder, Electra enthusiast. He was a guitar player, and that, brothers and sisters, is the fraternity that all of us can be proud to say we belong to. It's a singular, sometimes lonely thing... other times it just about covers the world. Several of you have forwarded ideas to me on how to commemorate Joe, and I'll post them soon for comment.

In the meantime, spare a thought, or say a prayer for Joe's family. You have to know that Thanksgiving was hard for them. Just imagine Christmas. I know it pains me just to think of it, what it would be like to lose a son, a brother, a father, an uncle, a friend...

C.R.

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"... can't seem to hit that Bb right."

I've now included an address for Joe's family at the top of this page. I apologize for not thinking of this sooner.

C.R.

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"... can't seem to hit that Bb right."

This was really sobering news, and a huge loss to this Forum. On three different occasions Joe helped me out with oddball parts that I needed, in each instance he didn't charge me a dime. He also selflessly donated a well worn X290 Black Workingman to ElectraFest one year. I regret he never made it to EF so I could meet him in person, I believe the EF that Steve hosted in St. Louis was in the throws of a heat wave and he had to do his HVAC thing all weekend.

I bought three guitars from him, two of which I still have, the third is the 2256 Prototype that Arthur now owns:

I also sold him a couple guitars over the years, all the transactions were smooth and haggle-free. He will be sorely missed here and the knowledge that went with him will not easily be replaced. Rock on my friend.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

RIP Joe.

Here I am, a bit late to the news. Given that Joe and I were pretty close geographically, it's unfortunate that we didn't hang out more. I had a few discussions with him; in forum threads, email, and on the phone. We met in person once, when he sold me the X120 that I still have. He was always very fair and straight to the point.

While it's nothing compared to the loss his family and immediate friends have experienced, this is a significant loss to our small community. He was a true enthusiast, skilled wood worker, and expert hunter of free range guitars of all type, especially Electras and the related brands. I wish I knew all the places he frequented and found so many interesting pieces!