I met Jon in my first year at Oxford through our dear mutual friend Andy Matthews. I had a crush on Jon from the moment I laid eyes on him – he was unimaginably hip, with his narrow duds, spikey blonde hair, pointy shoes, and sharp moves and grooves. I was a shy and dumpy provincial girl overawed by the dreaming spires. I considered myself far too uncool to be one of Jon’s friends. What I hadn’t reckoned on though, was Jon’s innate kindness and compassion, his deliciously dry sense of humour, and his sense of fun. Andy and Jon took me under their wing . Some of the most delirious nights of my night were spent dancing to Motown and Northern Soul with them. This instilled in me such a deep love of black music that it influenced my choice of career – as I became a documentary film maker and made many films about soul, funk, jazz and hip hop artists. I feel Jon had a hand in this. Jon wore his massive intellect lightly; he wasn’t one to show off his own intellectual brilliance, but I wasn’t surprised to learn much later on, how eminent he had become. He was certainly a star, but he was also a lovely and adorable person; I feel so lucky to have known him.
Jon Driver died suddenly on 28th November 2011. Jon was a wonderful individual; a loving son, husband, father and brother; and an irreplaceable friend and colleague.
This is a place for everyone who knew Jon to share our memories of him and through this to help celebrate his life.
If you would like to add a description of your memories of Jon to this blog please contact g.rees@ucl.ac.uk with the text you would like posted. We welcome any contribution, from short snippets to longer pieces. Please bear in mind this is a place to remember Jon and to help celebrate his life.
As well as this blog, there is also a photograph album to which friends and colleagues are most welcome to contribute. If you would like to add one or more pictures please email it/them to g.rees@ucl.ac.uk
