One of the significant constants in one of Queensland’s most constant bands, the late Kevvy Bong (real name Curran) will be long remembered by almost everyone who met him.
It was more the gregarious qualities of Bundaberg Rum than the quality of my guitar playing which led him to invite me to jam one day with the band, Uncle Bob’s Jug Band (aka “Uncle Bob’s” and “The Juggers”).
“So long as you give me the chords,” I said.
“No, no,” said Kevvy, waving his finger in reprimand, “That would be cheating!”
Although they played all over the place, from Tamworth to the Muster, the fabulously good humoured and deceptively brilliant party band is noted locally for their role in adding a party finish to the Eumundi Market, at what must be the longest running repeat gig in memory, every Saturday afternoon at Joe’s Waterhole for 20 years or more.
Every Saturday, hundreds would flock to the famous old pub, named (as casually as was the band) after its prize fighter former owner Joe Whiting.
Our loss is Heaven’s gain as Kevvy heads for the longest gig of all.
It is “with gut-wrenching deep sadness” that those close to him noted on social media his recent passing, peacefully at his Gympie home.
Formerly from Pomona, it would be hard to find anyone with a harsh word to say about a man who never had a harsh word for anyone.
He “passed peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends who were filled with love and admiration for the man he was,” the post reads.
“Kev loved everyone, he didn’t have an enemy in the world and he was without doubt the most non-judgmental person you would ever be lucky enough to meet and know.
“He held court with young and old alike and always had a classic story to pass on.
“Wherever he went he always ran into someone he knew and of course that meant it wasn’t going to be a quick hello, it was going to be a good natter before he went on his way again.
“His beloved Uncle Bob’s Jug Band will live on with the younger generation but life for us will never be the same.
“We will miss your shenanigans, your stories, your entertainment but most of all we will miss you forever. Our hearts are breaking.
“You left this Earth with a smile on face and on your terms and that’s exactly as it should be.
“RIP our beautiful soul, our father, father in law, grandfather and partner,” said those he left behind, Kenny and Wynita, Jeff, Johnny and Tara, Tristan, Connar and Marita.
“We have a memorial planned for sometime in December at Federal Hall, at Tamworth in January and a pub crawl starting at Pomona Pub around his birthday in February,” another post read.
In the meantime, on 12 and 13 October, he will be remembered at a party planned for Federal Hall where all are invited to bring their own instruments and supplies, smiles and stories, featuring the band he loved and led, “Live but not Deadly Serious.”
