The original Danzig guitarist has paused lessons and live dates on doctors’ advice, and made a joke at Glenn Danzig‘s expense while doing it.
John Christ has told followers he is stepping back from teaching and performing while he recovers from a medical problem.
The guitarist, who played on every album Danzig released in their first eight years, posted the update on Tuesday night. He did not say what the issue is.
“Hey y’all, JC here!”
“I wanted to give my disciples an update on what has been happening because inquiring minds want to know.”
“Recently, I have been focusing on a medical issue that has been kicking my butt and I am in the process of recuperating. The doctors have requested that I take a few months off to rest up and let my body get back to normal or else they said they will send Glenn to my house to babysit—that is motivation enough to get better!”
“Sadly, as a result of this, I will be unable to do any lessons or gigs until further notice. I know that a lot of you have been asking about lessons and live shows and I guarantee you that just as soon as I am back on my feet and shredding, I will contact everyone who has reached out to me to set up time for lessons.”
“As for merch, my team will do its best to keep up with any orders that come in. Please be patient if it takes some time to fill them all.”
“I really appreciate all of your support over the years and especially now while I heal up. I will post up here as soon as that happens and things start rolling again.”
“Rock on!”
“JC“
“P.S. If there’s radio silence, it’s not because JC doesn’t love you, it’s because I’m under doctor’s orders. C’mon, do you really want them sending Glenn to my house!?”
The threat of Glenn Danzig turning up on his doorstep is funnier than it looks, because by Christ‘s own account the two men have had no contact for decades.
Speaking to Guitar World in 2023, he said: “I am the easiest guy to track down. My cell phone number is on my website. Glenn has had numerous reunion tours. My phone has never rung even once. However, Glenn‘s guitar tech for my various replacement guitar players called me before tours have started, asking me how I played certain songs and what amplifiers and special effects did I use. So, with that, I tried reaching out to Glenn through social media but only heard crickets.”
Born John Wolfgang Knoll in Baltimore in 1965, Christ trained at the Peabody Academy of Music before auditioning for Samhain in February 1987, becoming the band’s final guitarist and appearing on the first side of Final Descent. When Samhain became Danzig later that year, he stayed.
Alongside Glenn Danzig, bassist Eerie Von and drummer Chuck Biscuits, he formed the lineup most people mean when they refer to Danzig. He played on Danzig, Danzig II: Lucifuge, Danzig III: How The Gods Kill and Danzig 4p, plus the Thrall-Demonsweatlive EP. The debut album and the EP both went gold, and the live version of “Mother” turned into the band’s one genuine hit.
His playing, built on a blues foundation and heavy on pinch harmonics, placed him 63rd in Guitar World‘s ranking of the 100 greatest metal guitarists. He left the band on July 5, 1995, citing a breakdown in communication.
In the years since he has worked as a teacher, giving private and group lessons on guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo, alongside occasional live dates. He has also spoken publicly about having to relearn the instrument after a serious accident earlier in his life.
