Robert “John” Gill passed away at home on May 26, 2024, with his loving wife of 38 years, Mary Radspinner, at his side. John fought a courageous battle with small-cell carcinoma for two years.
John was best-known in the harp world for Melody’s Traditional Music retail shop and Afghan Music publishing company, which he owned with his wife. Born in Galveston, Texas, on March 3, 1955, John caught the music bug while in high school and started playing in a rock band. After graduating he attended North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) where he studied many subjects including accounting and French. While in college he also made coffee shop appearances singing and playing guitar as part of a duo.
His career in the arts blossomed first by owning a recording studio and later by photographing bands and musicians under the name of “John Gill Productions.” During a photography session for the North Houston Dance Theatre he was recruited by them and went on to play the lead role in the ballet Coppélia, and both King Rat and Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. He also performed modern dance and jazz with the American Academy of Dance, Houston.
He married harpist Mary Radspinner in 1986 and they made their home in Cypress, Texas. During that time John worked as a warehouse manager, did renovations on their house, and earned his private pilot’s license. In 1993, John and Mary opened Melody’s Traditional Music. The store was named after their beloved Afghan hound, Melody. John became known for his harp repair work throughout the state of Texas.
His accounting training made him an outstanding store owner and the store became a world-class seller of print music for the harp. A secondary publishing business grew. He made friends with everybody, and especially enjoyed speaking with vendors, one of whom said, “It was always a pleasure to call Melody’s and get to talk to John. I can’t think of very many people who have left such a wonderful legacy.” On April 1, Nick and Sue Pickus took over the ownership and operation of Melody’s.
John and Mary devoted time to the rescue of Afghan hounds and golden retrievers. They fostered and adopted many, all of whom no doubt joyfully greeted him on May 26.
Over the past 15 years, John reunited with high school friends to play guitar, bass guitar, and sing in a classic rock band called “Whiskey in the Decaf.” He also took up the cello, achieving Suzuki Level 5.
John was a favorite of many harpists with his patience and was loved by many people because of his honesty, friendliness, and ability to converse on many topics. He is survived by his wife, Mary Radspinner, sisters, brother, nieces, and nephews. He was truly a gem who fell into the harp “fishbowl” and he embraced every minute of it. He will be greatly missed. Contributions may be made to the John Gill Memorial Harp Scholarship Fund or to Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue in his memory.
—by Mary Radspinner, Leslie Gill Biesiadecki, and Steve Cole
