I skated with John around the world and in a PBS special The Snow Queen and it was one of the highlights of my career. John refined the artistry that Toller brought to the skating world. He demanded a lot from those that worked with him and worked tirelessly to bring the skating world into the world of dance. This was definitely the golden age of men's skating!
My pair partner skated against him in Worlds 1976. In South Africa we were going through political upheaval and we were sanctioned…I understood nothing about politics.
I grew up with John in Birmingham and we had the same coach. Ironically, I would always beat him in singles and he would beat me in solo dance. But we remained good friends. The last time I saw him was in Times Square in New York. I was lining up for theatre tickets and he was on his way to a play he was in. In all that morass of people we were walking towards each other and recognized each other. It was such a crazy meeting, but we both saw how we had both moved from our early years at the Birmingham Ice Rink and moved on to where we were. There will never be another like John. He was my friend and I will always admire his great style and charisma on the ice. Long love his memory.
Bernard thank you so much for sharing these memories. Incredible to think you used to beat each other in the your respective disciplines, especially considering what you both went on to achieve in the sport. Your own legacy with Diane, and the contributions you made to ice dance are not forgotten.
Somebody besides me loves John Curry -- the filmographer. He was THE best on the ice. The creator of ice ballet, no one before or since had his grace, poise, control and sense of artistry. I miss him.
My coach actually knew John Curry, when he was skating as a professional in the UK. Apparently John was a really lovely person as well as an exquisite skater. Sorely missed.
i would never say John is forgotten he gave men's skating an artistry no one could match, just a pity today its gone the other way , but out of GB,s, prolific, skating superstars, T and D and Robin, its so sad that unlike them hes still not around being lauded for his brilliance and teaching others his style, god how different men's skating might be today if he was still around to influence, rather than how many tricks and jumps and how high, i also have to say, that if like today the jump had to be quads , he would learn them and he still would have won, he was a genius.
Have just found your tribute to John Curry, I have to thank you, it was wonderful! I actually wasn't aware he had died, just presumed he was living quietly, possibly in the US. He was my absolute hero back in the day, I sat up all hours to watch him perform when representing Great Britain. He was a beautiful, talented man. So sad that he was misunderstood and apparently suffered terribly emotionally. RIP John, you will always be remembered, not so your detractors!
Floskate, your tributes to this wonderful skater are eclipsed only by John Curry's brilliance. I especially loved your inclusion of the music from "Cinema Paridiso," one of my favorite movies and musical scores. Sigh...I would have loved to see him interpret it.
This is so beautifully done; I cry every time I watch it. Years ago I watched the entire "Maestro" series about John's life; and always wish he had lived in the 21st century so he would have had been able to (1) become the ballet/contemporary dancer he always wanted to be and (2) his artistry would have been view-able by millions of people around the world who would have appreciated it, and (3) he would have lived a longer & much happier life. I love the image of him 'flying' in "Scheherazade"!
Oh floskate, what a marvellous montage! Really a wonderful tribute to a man who also changed male figure skating forever. I was lucky to see him perform in Denmark and Sweden as an Olympic and World Champion in 1976. Thanks very much for sharing this!
Thank you so much for this wonderful tribute and memorial to John. Have watched it many times and it never gets any less sad to watch. What a talent, so sadly missed.
Dear floskate, a super piece of work, thank you for your efforts. And to quote the final paragraph in the excellent book by Bill Jones: “Last of all. Although Curry is gone, his work is not. On the internet - on RU-vid - you will find almost everyone of the glorious performances mentioned in this book. Find them. Watch them. And then read this book all over again. He really was that good” Yes he was - no further words needed.
I'm having a very belated cry over John Curry's death, simply cuz until about 3 hours ago I didn't KNOW he died. Since then I've been on RU-vid watching every video feat. him. Floskate, your tributes to John are by far the most beautiful and well put together tributes I've ever seen about anyone, thank you só much for sharing them with us!!!
Amazing talent and dedication and beautiful artistry. Who could imagine such skill and love for dance and music transformed into skating. Perhaps John you will return in another's love for what you did and show us your beauty & perfection. R.I.P.
Here I am all these years later and I didn’t realise he had died. I just thought he had retired and was living somewhere else. I don’t think I have ever seen any tribute documentary either since his death or before, in the UK. How shameful if that is the case because this man was a truly gifted skater bringing dance onto the ice. He had such beautiful lines and some of his moves are awe-inspiring. RIP John x❤ After a little search I have found a documentary - so have saved it to watch later. Xx
Merci pour ce joli moment, un des plus emouvants montages vidéo qu'il m'ait été donné de voir. La musique est bien choisie. Un bel hommage pour ce Grand Monsieur.
@balletmeisterin Thanks for replying back.My hubby and I were in Bratislava a few years ago in Nov.We walked around the old part for a few hours and were in the area of the newly named Nepela rink but didn't see it.We had to wait awhile for the train back to Vienna.People were kinda starting at us as they could tell we were not European.:)
