08/17/2025
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Joe Shull. Joe was one of the best guitar slingers to ever cross the stage of the John Lennon Memorial Park. I had the incredible luck of hearing Jimi Hendrix twice in 1970. Later when l moved to Austin l was fortunate enough to meet a young fellow named Stevie who was soon to be discovered and became the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, with Double Trouble.
Years later we were planning one our concerts and 3 gentlemen l had never met showed up. One of them asked if we had room for another band. It was the first planning session for that concert and we were just getting started, so we said "Sure!" I said we had a clean slate. " When do you want to play?"
Joe asked for sunset on Saturday night. That was prime time. Having never met before, l was surprised but impressed and said OK. So about two months later, just before sunset l remember hearing "We would like to introduce a new band to the Park, Joe Shull and Chillbone." What followed was an amazing set by a guy who could hold his own with Jimi and Stevie. I never forgot that night.
Joe became a regular at the concerts and soon opened the best blues bar Brownsville has ever had, The New Rising Sun, on Central Blvd. Now, some 30 years later, the bar is gone, the Park is gone and so is Joe. Joe, thank you for all you did for us. May you Rest in Eternal Peace and play for the Angels
Your friends at the John Lennon Memorial Park
