J. Page Porrazzo: 1953-2002

We pause here, to honor & remember the late J. Page Porrazzo - who guided Shonen Knife through the important years of their recording work on Virgin Records, International Tours & association with great bands, such as Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Motorhead & others. Page was a vastly talented man, and his death on April 13, 2002 at the age of only 49... has saddened Shonen Knife & those of us in their circle - who really knew him. In recent years, Page was instrumental in the creation of a very special mailing list online Newsletter - the "Spectropop" Mailing List. It is filled with commentary and information from the people who made the great girl-group records spanning the history of rock n roll... and those who avidly collected and wrote about them. Page had vast knowledge of the topics - from his mastery of both western and eastern pop history, and the entire tone of the mailing list was always fun, upbeat and informative.

"Mr. Page" is remembered here for the musical magic he produced with Shonen Knife, during the important years of their move to the World Stage. In looking back, perhaps, even more importantly - his legacy is to be found in the many lives he touched & people he brought together from everywhere. Page built bridges between people & cultures, by sharing his enthusiasm for the music & talent he discovered through his personal vision with so many of us - who happily passed that vision along. Shonen Knife have grown tremendously "in their own write" since the time of their association with Page, but they remember that Page gave them many wonderful memories & techniques that they have taken with them in following their own personal vision.

East & West - we are many now, and we honor your memory as someone who set out to do something you loved... and succeeded in achieving something really unique: Your creative spark made the world brighter & better. We send our sincere condolences to your family in California, daughter Lisa, wife Mayumi and your close friend Keiko. Love & Peace in your new journey, Page-san, from Shonen Knife, Shisaka Kimura & Benten Label, friend Mamiko Nakagawa and "Heart-friends of Shonen Knife", everywhere.

From your friend,
George Ojisan
Coordinator - Knife Collectors, N. America
The Shonen Knife NeXuS