To the rest of the world Peter Bocking was a rock and roll guitarist from Great Britain. Here at Just One Minute he was a reliable and reliably entertaining commenter. Regrettably, PeterUK, aka "PUK" passed away last week.
Jeff Dobbs has put together a "Best Of" tribute. This could be dangerous in large doses (and do set down anything you're drinking), so I will pick just one for flavor:
""I forgot to mention last night that following World War II war crime trials were convened. The Japanese were tried and convicted and hung for war crimes committed against American POWs. Among those charges for which they were convicted was waterboarding," he told reporters at a campaign event"
One tiny little detail is ignored - the Japanese lost!
This is probably a historical first,the victorious side leads itself off in chains.
This is a real loss.
I CAN STOP ANYTIME:
" Whadda buncha idiots. What are these people doing on television?"
forget television,what are they doing off a sex offender's register?
Sob.
===
Posted by: It does make me feel a little better. | November 03, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Oh No! That's awful news!
Rest in Peace, PeterUK.
Posted by: Mike Huggins | November 03, 2009 at 12:38 PM
And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh,
And waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear.
A merrier hour was never wasted there.
========================
Posted by: Puk he was, doing his mischief in the night. | November 03, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I was reading those first two rows ofquotes,
it's become to say " I laughed I cried,"but that's how I felt, even though I recall almost every single quote at the time, but
they have more poignancy now. And it makes
most of these editorialist on either shore, except for present company excepted
Posted by: narciso | November 03, 2009 at 12:44 PM
"using a non-threatening approach that outwitted the detainee - even getting him to talk by using his childhood nickname."
Which means they have captured his mother."Oh Ali was so cute he used to have this little stuffed goat called Moomoo,used to take it to bed with him". "I remember the time when he was........" "Mother! For the Love of Allah......All right I'll talk".
Posted by: PeterUK June 11, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Good job. I was struck upon hearing of Peter's passing that I didn't know of his many accomplishments, nor of his health challenges, and that I hadn't properly appreciated him while he was here. It was all terribly depressing.
However, on reflection that response is exactly wrong, and we should be celebrating his life and applying well-honed snark to worthy targets in his memory. As I'd like to think he continues to do, wherever he is.
RIP PeterUK, you'll be sorely missed.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | November 03, 2009 at 01:03 PM
"I don't think Obama is a black Lincoln."
There is some European socialist in him,perhaps he is a Lincoln Continental?
Posted by: PeterUK March 20, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 01:03 PM
As a politics junkie, I thoroughly enjoyed every morsel of political commentary provided by PUK. My favorite PUK post, however, is not strictly a political one, but one showing his sensitivity to the bonds between a family's younger and older members:
Posted by: Thomas Collins | November 03, 2009 at 01:05 PM
So many great ones:
Posted by: Porchlight | November 03, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Jor,"However, you can sleep easy knowing that I'm in a top profession, sub-specializing in a very competitive area."
You're a hooker doing S&M ?
Posted by: PeterUK November 29, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Captain.
The left has been absolutely gagging for another Vietnam,in Obama they have found a president who will give them one – hard.
Posted by: PeterUK October 24, 2009 at 12:32 PM
********************
Posted by: Porchlight | November 03, 2009 at 01:13 PM
RIP, PeterUK.
Posted by: saveliberty | November 03, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Damn it all, I cannot shake the sensation that PUK himself is going to show up at any minute and comment.
Thank you, hit, for compiling these lists...and thanks TM for the thread, and of course for providing the forum for them/him in the first place...
Posted by: Porchlight | November 03, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I thought I just saw one of his comments.
This "getting old" thing really ...
Posted by: Neo | November 03, 2009 at 01:20 PM
The Obama years without PUK's humor are just gonna be miserably intolerable.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Posted this on the other thread not realizing TM started a new one.
Video of PUK playing with Lonnie Donegan. He is the tall balding guy with red beard playing lead guitar. You will see him from time to time on Lonnie's right. I wonder if inhaling second hand smoke from the myriad audiences of the 50's thru the 90's had anything to do with his heart-attack?
Posted by: Jack is Back! | November 03, 2009 at 01:25 PM
In the late fifties when most guitarist ...
His first band the Jets, was formed in 1958
Takes makes him what ? 8 or 9 ?
Posted by: Neo | November 03, 2009 at 01:26 PM
central;
then we shall have to strive to keep his spirit alive here. He would have expected nothing less.
Posted by: matt | November 03, 2009 at 01:28 PM
In the mid seventies he made a decision, ..
Excuse my error, I thought it said he was in his late 50's
Posted by: Neo | November 03, 2009 at 01:28 PM
He died days before his 67th birthday which was Oct 31.He began playing professionally when he was about 16 or 17.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Neo, I believe he was born on 10/31/42, and his father died in WWII, so he probably never knew him.
==========================
Posted by: Perhaps cantering down a dark defile. | November 03, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Clarice is right.
I found his birth record - he was born in Manchester Oct to Dec 1942. Peter J. Bocking. His mother's maiden name was Jones (makes her Welsh:)
That is the way birth records are recorded in the UK. To get exact info we need to find his baptism - but have no idea if he ever was and what parish.
Also, found a record of a Peter J. Bocking marrying an Ann Caunce in April-June 1969 in Rochdale (near Manchester) but that cannot be confirmed. Could be another Peter J. Bocking.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | November 03, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Elliott thought this snapshot of posts captured PUK's roguish sense of fun and asked me to post it for him:
Posted by: Ann | November 03, 2009 at 01:47 PM
To get exact info we need to find his baptism
I recall someone mentioning that his birthday was October 31st. Make of that what you will.
One of the most remarkable things about him was his deep knowledge of America from across the pond, and how passionate he was in his hopes that we not follow the European path to ruin.
Posted by: jimmyk | November 03, 2009 at 01:48 PM
oops, sorry, didn't see Clarice's earlier post mentioning his date of birth.
Posted by: jimmyk | November 03, 2009 at 01:50 PM
PUK. RIP. Where there is no Gordon Brown to bother you, and where the reiging deity is not Obama.
Posted by: Appalled | November 03, 2009 at 01:57 PM
"Yes, remember my symbol".
Will do PUK.
Posted by: Jane | November 03, 2009 at 01:58 PM
May I suggest that TM consider retiring PUK's symbol and electing him the first member of the JOM Hall of Fame.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | November 03, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Sorry, Elliott
I shouldn't of added the frame. :( It looked pretty in preview.
Posted by: Ann | November 03, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Everybody waste a little extra carbon in his honour.
Posted by: MayBee | November 03, 2009 at 02:12 PM
I haven't felt like this since my own mother passed a few years back.
From his tribute page, "One can only imagine the thrill the Beatles had finding they were booked at the Oasis on the same bill as Pete Bocking."
And another by Phil Roberts, "Didn't Pete steal the Beatles thunder at the Oasis one night?" The real deal! (Nice pic of PUK on the Pete Maclaine and the Clan link also)
And a poem by Pete Maclaine
And I loved the way he called Rick Ballard, "Mr Ballard"
Posted by: Rocco | November 03, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I know, Rocco. I keep waiting for the sadness to pass, but instead it just keeps returning.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 02:18 PM
He did not know me at all but I would laugh at all his commentary and listen as to a good natured older brother. I miss him very much. RIP PUK
Posted by: tea anyone | November 03, 2009 at 02:28 PM
His sense of humor and stinging responses always made my day. He definitely was one of the "Shining Stars" that God supplies the world. He will be missed.
Posted by: cindyk | November 03, 2009 at 02:29 PM
RIP PeterUK...
One testament to how good a commenter he was is how frequently his handle was forged by the Ø-Bots, Trolls, Mobys and other visitors from the Dickhead community.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | November 03, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Yes but they were terribly inept at actually
carrying out the subterfuge.
Posted by: narciso | November 03, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Hit deserves a special thank you for pulling all those PUK quotes. So THANK YOU!
I, too, can't shake the feeling that this is all a dream and I'm going to scroll down and see a comment from PeterUK, appropriately irreverent, regarding this tribute to him.
Do you all think he realized how much he meant to all of us?
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 02:49 PM
A really enjoyable poster. He will be missed by me as well.
Posted by: lonetown | November 03, 2009 at 03:15 PM
I couldn't care less what all those superficial, groupthink, talentless hacks in Hollyweird believe.
But to know that I shared many of the same values and political ideals as someone of PUK's calibre, well ..... that warms the cockles of my heart. LOL
Posted by: fdcol63 | November 03, 2009 at 03:20 PM
No!
I so enjoyed his comments, his intelligence, his biting wit that had me laughing out loud. I will miss him.
God Bless You and Keep You, PeterUK, our friend.
Posted by: Barbara | November 03, 2009 at 03:30 PM
I'm an ex-pat who has been coming here daily since the Wilson/Plame fiasco. I've never posted before but have always felt among dear friends and family when I visit this site. For obvious reasons I'd search out PUK's comments - he clearly and succinctly stated what I thought and his rapier wit when dealing with trolls was truly delightful. My heart is heavy today.
Posted by: Lulu | November 03, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Please post again sometime, Lulu.
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Since I'm a jazz musician I was intrigued by Peter's having had a student who is now a pro jazz guitarist in London. Wrote him and got a reply:
...A sad loss. He was a complete one of a kind.
Pete was my teacher for around three years when I was 15....I've got lots of memories of the stuff he showed me and how methodical and detailed he was. He really took me under his wing and showed me loads of stuff and was very encouraging and motivating....
The man was still in email contact with Peter recently.
I know what it means to have a one-of-a-kind music teacher at 15. This kid was lucky in many ways that his was Peter.
Posted by: Jim Ryan | November 03, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Hit deserves a special thank you for pulling all those PUK quotes. So THANK YOU!
Hear, Hear (or is it Here, Here? PUK would know that...)
I think the best way we can honor PeterUK is to mercilessly mock Il Douche, Whorf, Bleeding-Brain-Stem Joe, Muffer Stalin-Rodham et al until they're removed from office, preferably being led to the stockade.
Posted by: Captain Hate | November 03, 2009 at 04:03 PM
I miss him.
R.I.P., Peter.
Posted by: PaulL | November 03, 2009 at 04:18 PM
There was a thread somew months back in which we were making guesses as to his identity, knowing only that he was somehow connected to the 1960s English music scene, but my Google/Bing skills are apparently unable to uncover the thread.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | November 03, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Yes--I think someone found and posted it on an earlier thread. He emailed me using his real name and because he sounded so theatrical, I figured he'd been on the stage in some capacity. I googled and found the stuff we've posted here--his flikr pic, the video, etc. I talked to him about it but never did more than hint he was a famous musician because he did not want me to disclose his identity.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Those born on Halloween tend to have an unusual take on the world. This was readily apparent with PUK. Before they made him, they broke the mold.
Dreadful news. I'll light a candle.
Posted by: Uncle Pinky | November 03, 2009 at 04:25 PM
I am so sad - I will miss him. He encouraged me more than once and made me laugh a lot.
Thanks for those posts H&R - I appreciate them.
Posted by: TexasIsHeaven | November 03, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Heh. I bet Mr UK would have something to say about this.
David Frum renames "The New Majority" after himself
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Anyhow know if Peter gave a hoot about UK Soccer?
I am totally ambivalent, but if he was a yob for Manchester United etc, I'm ready to start a rumble against Arsenal.
Posted by: daddy | November 03, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I will say again, the commenters here are the best of any of the blogs I read. And PUK was at the top of the list.
Posted by: Buford Gooch | November 03, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Post again, LuLu. After the first time, it's easy! Honest.
And ditto the thanks to Hit for his work. We should all take turns reposting one of those from time to time. So many are timeless, it would be as if he is still with us.
Posted by: Old Lurker | November 03, 2009 at 04:48 PM
A certain thread has been referenced over the last few days - where JOMers try to guess PeterUK's identity.
The thread begins on December 21, 2008 and ends December 23rd, 2008 and runs well over 400 comments. Coming after the election of Obama we were all a little pensive about what was coming. A fabulous thread, politics, literature, music, the Tudors, Clarice recipes, WHO is PeterUK?, JMH writing a complex epic poem, the holidays.
All the regulars are there, coming and going. Hit how do we save a whole thread? It is a classic - and PUK features prominently.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Anyhow know if Peter gave a hoot about UK Soccer?
If he did, daddy, he was much more reticent about it than you and I are about ACC basketball; I would say no but perhaps JiB can find out during his excellent adventure...
Posted by: Captain Hate | November 03, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Hey, Sara, how did you change your avatar in that thread?
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Moi? I didn't do a thing. Whoa! I just looked. My goodness, that is my driver's lic pic from 5 years ago. My hair is halfway down my back since that was taken. I think I must have posted it in the Typepad settings, back when I first set up my own Typepad blog. Check to see if you have a pic in your Typepad profile page. I can't think of any other reason. Funny how an image shows up there but not in a current post.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Now I'm worried about Pagar........
Always terrific links that I've tweeted frequently.
Posted by: glasater | November 03, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Oh My God. My heart is breaking.
Posted by: verner | November 03, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Join the crowd, verner.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 06:16 PM
centralcal - from that linked thread! Ha ha, some things never change!
((Joe Biden is really an unmitigated ass.
Posted by: Jane | December 21, 2008 at 09:26 AM ))
Posted by: Janet | November 03, 2009 at 06:17 PM
I thought I'd seen him here or on the Manchester thread.
And Sunny Day?
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Oh, I SO enjoyed PUK!
Thank you Peter, for making my life better.
Posted by: Greybeard | November 03, 2009 at 06:21 PM
This exchange is too funny too!
Àâòîð ìîëîäåö))))õèõ
Posted by: Helmenade | December 21, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Helmenade,
I sense you are trying to make contact,please let us know.One rap for YES,two raps for NO.
Posted by: PeterUK | December 21, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Posted by: Janet | November 03, 2009 at 06:25 PM
For anyone reading the VIMH link, he posted a second compendium of Peter's JOM comments:
Celebrating Peter Bocking
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 06:28 PM
We should all take turns reposting one of those from time to time. So many are timeless, it would be as if he is still with us.
I doubt that will take any prodding at all. He is one of us, and always will be. We will be leeching on his memory forever.
(Is "leeching" the right word PUK?)
Posted by: Jane | November 03, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Janet: That is one of my favorite PUK comebacks too! It still makes me laugh out loud.
Plus, no one could bop Cleo around better than PUK.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Also, on the thread I link to above, the conversation got around to Obama and what his taste in music might be. Commenters started posting short (snarky) lists of songs, and then along came PUK with . . .
He's a real nowhere man,
sitting in his nowhere land,
making all his nowhere plans,
for nobody.
He posted the full song's lyrics and it was dead on the best guess and said everything about Zero.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 06:37 PM
That thread is great centralcal. At 12:33 Soylent Red guesses "PUK is one of the Monkeys isn't he?"
...and the avatar next to Soylent is a monkey! Either that, or Soylent is quite homely. In which case I apologize.
Posted by: Janet | November 03, 2009 at 06:45 PM
"1. Poland is totally screwed."
Not at all,Poland is a member of the EU.There will be a discussion about fixing a date for a consultation about a meeting of the European Council,when the the holidays are over,weather permitting.There the wording of a stiff letter of disappointment at the actions of the Russians will be thrashed out.This will then be left until the French no longer have the rotating presidency and no odium can be attached to France.Poland is safe.
Posted by: PeterUK August 11, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 06:47 PM
I'm at a total loss for words. But I hope he understands that my silence in this time honors him.
Posted by: Ranger | November 03, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Does Soylent know?
cc, you just flooded both my eyes again. :(
And I just checked my email and there is no news. However, I admitted that I was a Midwest Yank, so I might not ever here from his friend again.
Posted by: Ann | November 03, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Oh Puk, you and the trolls, what a delight.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 06:52 PM
**hear from*** (blurry stupid) I blame cc. :)
Posted by: Ann | November 03, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Funny how an image shows up there but not in a current post.
One of the wonders of Typhus; purely random of course but, for an extreme rarity, a somewhat positive enhancement.
Posted by: Captain Hate | November 03, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Extraneus - careful what pictures you choose to insert into comments. lol!
During the day, I am at work (like, right now).
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 06:59 PM
And has there ever been a man on this blog more supportive and gentlemanly protective of the JOMettes or as he called all we ladies: the JOM Babes.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 07:00 PM
sbw, Sara, JMH's carpe diem sign, Soylent as a monkey in a tuxedo - are some of the avatar pictures I have seen in older threads.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Ann, I wondered about Soylent too. I suspect he doesn't yet know.
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Heh, sorry about that, cc! (You should see some of the other ones.)
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 07:10 PM
I thought I'd seen Soylent on one of these threads, but it might have been my imagination so I just emailed him.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Where's Cleo? I know PUK used him for his own personal
punchingpoking bag, but I think Cleo enjoyed the jousting.Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 07:27 PM
I just emailed Soylent.
By all accounts Peter was much, much more of a character even than we knew. Hearing all sorts of "one off" "broke the mold" "one of a kind".
Posted by: Jim Ryan | November 03, 2009 at 07:29 PM
I've been singing "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight" for a few days now.
Posted by: Jim Ryan | November 03, 2009 at 07:30 PM
OT, but for the Texans among us:
Via Power and Control:
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 07:45 PM
If you haven't seen this 1971 Australia photo of Pete Bocking, click.
Posted by: Jim Ryan | November 03, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Pajamas Media:"Decision ‘09: 1% Reporting in NJ: Christie 51%, Corzine 40%; GOP Sweep in VA
CNN exit poll: independents 58% for Christie. FoxNews exit poll: 31% say most important issue is economy, 18% say health care.z'
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 08:27 PM
The Dems can spin tonight's results all night, but tomorrow Geithner better be packing up to spend more time with his family.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 08:28 PM
Do you think anyone will really be packing their bags, Clarice?
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Aides: Obama not watching election returns :-)
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 08:39 PM
There is an election night thread.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | November 03, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Does anyone remember the thread, perhaps from the end of August, where PUK talked about how his mum was treated by the NHS during her last days? I can't seem to track it down...
It showed yet another side of him, and it was meant as a gift to us yanks of the "don't let this happen to you!" variety.
Posted by: cathyf | November 03, 2009 at 08:43 PM
I agree Sara; this thread shouldn't be sullied with references to Il Douche other than to say that I wish PUK would be celebrating with us tonight.
Posted by: Captain Hate | November 03, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Which is why I posted the peopleofwalmart site, which I hope he would have found amusing. Sorry if anyone found it in bad taste.
Posted by: Extraneus | November 03, 2009 at 08:58 PM
I am afraid we crashed the manchesterbeat server.
I think Obama will blame others for everything that goes wrong and (a) his economic policies have been stupid and counterproductive and (b) eection analysis will show people unhappy about the economy and (c) Geithner had a lot to do with it.
Maybe not today,maybe not tomorrow, but soon he's under the bus.
Posted by: clarice | November 03, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Extraneus - PUK would have loved that site. No apologies necessary. I was mostly (only mostly) teasing you about that picture, because I was at work and my boss walked by with a client! ::fast on the clicker::
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Ext, no problems for me; I thought PUK would've loved it.
Clarice, 100% correct; particularly because the recent spin has been that Odummy has been spending his time, not campaigning (LOL @ that), but trying to fix the economy. It must be Turbo's fault.
Posted by: Captain Hate | November 03, 2009 at 09:20 PM
It showed yet another side of him
Incredibly hurt, to the core. Beyond outraged. Rather than pervading joy as usual. Don't know where the thread it, but its impression is deep.
Posted by: Jim Ryan | November 03, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Cathy,I saw your comment at thevimh. I am going methodically,but randomly through JOM and haven't come across it yet.
But if someone else has,that would be great.
There will be a new PUK greatest hits post at some point tomorrow.
And just know,these are the greatest hits comments according to me. It's not like I'm picking up every one or anywhere close. Others may have other favorites,and if you do, I'd love to know.
I'm focused,obviously,hello,consider the source,on his humor. I have to. I just have to right now.
Posted by: unɹ puɐ ʇıɥ | November 03, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Hit - we love you too! And, you are doing a favor for all of us - an anthology of PUK's greatest hits. (no pun intended)
Posted by: centralcal | November 03, 2009 at 09:28 PM