James Abbott (jimct)
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Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
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Topic: James Abbott (jimct)
Posted By: aaronk
Subject: James Abbott (jimct)
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 12:03pm
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It is with a very heavy heart that I bring the news of fellow board member Jim Abbott’s passing. Jim (jimct) and I connected here on the forum back in 2006 when he first joined, and over the years, he has become one of my best friends.
Jim was more knowledgeable and passionate about music and radio than anyone else I knew, having spent many years on-air at WAVZ and KC101 as Jim McNeil, as well as handling music director duties during his time there. Additionally, Jim was the sports play-by-play announcer at his alma mater’s radio station, WNHU. Locally, however, Jim was best known for his 1960s and 1970s weekly oldies show on WNHU, which he hosted by his real name, Jim Abbott, for 30 years between 1978 and 2007. Jim loved helping others, and during his time at WNHU he acted as a mentor to students in the broadcasting program. Using his contacts in the industry, he would often find internships and even jobs for UNH students looking to start a career in radio. Outside of radio, Jim was an avid record and CD collector, and he worked on music projects with several of us here on the forum. If one of us had a question about a song version that appeared on a 45 or promo CD, Jim could almost always assist, and he did without hesitation. For those of us here who noticed Jim’s absence on the board, he suffered a stroke this past January. Regrettably, Jim was unable to recover and regain his health. Jim passed away peacefully yesterday evening at the age of 59. ------------- Aaron Kannowski http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop |
Replies:
Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 12:18pm
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Aaron - Thanks for letting us know.
Jim was a valuable asset around here - knowledgeable, passionate, and seemingly cut from the same radio-background cloth as many of us here. If you check the membership on the forum, ranked by overall number of posts, Jim finished at #4. I am merely #9. (Aaron is #1, with a bullet.) ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 12:18pm
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Very sad news. He will truly be missed.
RIP, Jim. You were the undisputed King of the Promos. |
Posted By: eric_a
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 12:28pm
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Thanks for sharing, Aaron. I'm so sorry to hear the
news. As long as I've been on the board, I've admired Jim's passion for music. He had such a great memory for details -- I'll miss reading his stories. |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 12:38pm
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Here's the most recent picture I have, which was taken during one of my visits to see him in West Haven. In recent years, Jim really enjoyed going for walks. Toward the end of 2016, he had done a 5-mile walk more than 450 days in-a-row! Whether it was blazing hot or the ground was covered in knee-deep snow, Jim faithfully went on his daily walk. One of the things he occasionally enjoyed doing at the end of the walk was stopping for ice cream at a local shop down the street from his place. The girl at the counter took this picture of us on my iPhone in September 2015.
http://s380.photobucket.com/user/kanno1ae/media/IMG_5940.jpg.html">  ------------- Aaron Kannowski http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 1:04pm
| Great picture, Aaron. As a former Baskin-Robbins store manager in my pre-radio days, I'd say Jim had great taste! (The nearest B-R to the Twin Cities these days is in Des Moines, so I'd better start walkin', too.) ;) |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 2:01pm
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So sad to hear this. Jim always treated me like gold.
This board will certainly be less without his knowledge. |
Posted By: Smokin' TomGary
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 2:18pm
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I first met Jim at 13WAVZ and KC-101 in New Haven, CT where I served as Chief Engineer from Jan 1977 thru Jan 1981. I then worked with Jim at WNHU at the Univ of New Haven where he did the 60/70's show for many years.
I am very sad to learn that Jim has passed. I knew that he had health issues for many years. We traded CD's a few times and I took him to NYC CD shopping one Saturday many years ago. Jim was very knowledgeable of music as evidenced here and in personal meetings. I wish you Rest in Peace, my friend. It was an honor to know you. |
Posted By: C J Brown
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 4:24pm
| RIP Jim Abbott - I never knew him but will miss his "Jim CT" posts regarding timing and other issues. |
Posted By: sriv94
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 4:38pm
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Damn. That hurts.
Thanks for letting us know. ------------- Doug --------------- All of the good signatures have been taken. |
Posted By: MMathews
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 5:22pm
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Jim was a great friend and he will be sorely missed.
I cannot count how many times he helped me out with his vast musical knowledge, to say nothing of his vast music collection! His research was second to none, and I'm very happy our last few releases have his name in the credits. He always went out of his way to help, So long, my friend. Be at peace. |
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 5:30pm
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Jim was nothing short of terrific. He sure knew his stuff. I've learned much from all of the board members especially Jim. I would describe him as feisty as well as knowledgeable (those who have read his posts know exactly what I'm talking about). It was Mr. Abbott who gave me a quick lesson on the difference between styrene and vinyl 45s. God bless him. He will be surely missed by many. Thanks to Aaron for sharing this sad news as well as that great picture. I'm 56 years old now and I must add that to learn he is gone at 59 is hard to accept. ------------- Santi Paradoa Miami, Florida |
Posted By: Hykker
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 7:05pm
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This is sad news. RIP Jim.
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Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 10:20pm
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Wow, this one hurts.
Jim was the first member of the board I connected with back in 2007 not long after I began posting. He was so helpful in educating me on single versions, radio edits etc. In fact, I discovered this board because of an internet posting, either authored by Jim or someone else, with detailed differences between radio edits and 45 versions. Thanks, Aaron for this picture of you two. Now, we know the face behind all those detailed postings. May he rest in peace. |
Posted By: bitman
Date Posted: 12 June 2017 at 11:54pm
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Very sad news...I don't post here often, but the info is very valuable and Jim's knowledge was mind-boggling.
RIP |
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 13 June 2017 at 3:49am
| Very sad news indeed. I never met Jim in person, but we had many great exchanges over the years, both here on the board and privately thru e-mails. His passion for all things related to radio and record collecting was well-known to all of us here. He and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but at the end of the day we could usually agree to disagree. We are all fortunate that he so freely shared his vast knowledge with us over the years. May he now rest in peace. |
Posted By: JL328
Date Posted: 13 June 2017 at 4:33am
| Very sad to hear. Far too young. Deepest condolences. |
Posted By: 995wlol
Date Posted: 13 June 2017 at 7:26am
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I’m very sad to hear the news about Jim. I think the
photo below pretty much sums up the kind of guy he was. Many years ago, I was trying to track down a promo 45—it was a real challenge because there were multiple pressings that shared the same catalog number, which made it near impossible to identify the version I was looking for from online sellers. Jim PM’d me to let me know he had an extra copy that he would give to me. I tried to pay him for the mint unplayed copy he sent, but he refused to accept it—for him it was about helping out the rest of us who were as passionate as he was. Jim’s note will stay with this record for as long as I own it. You will be missed Mr. Abbott. 46e2dc8f1_z_d.jpg"> Edit: Sorry, can't get the photo to load...I'll try to fix |
Posted By: elcoleccionista
Date Posted: 13 June 2017 at 8:15am
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I am very, very saddened to find out about Jim. Never had
the privilege to meet him in person but we did correspond via email for a good while. He was always kind to me with any requests and we talked about our personal lives as well. Rest in Peace, old friend. |
Posted By: AndrewChouffi
Date Posted: 13 June 2017 at 11:43pm
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This news about Jim's passing does indeed hurt.
I always looked for his perspective on what versions were actually played on radio, and why & when they were played. Rest in peace, James. Andy |
Posted By: TomDiehl1
Date Posted: 14 June 2017 at 12:06am
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My heart aches. This is the second music
friend of mine that I've learned has passed, today. My last direct correspondences with Jim came last year as I was selling some duplicate promo 45s on eBay and Jim bought a great many of them that were on his 45cat want list. As he had once gone out of his way to send me his duplicate copy of the Rapper by The Jaggerz with the echo on it, free of charge, I searched his want list and sent him a couple he had been looking for, to help recreate the Lost Jukebox series that our mutual friend Jeff Glenn had started but had not completed, as there were just track lists available for many volumes. I don't know how much Jim was able to complete. I'd asked him to send me copies when he did, but I never heard back. I echo all of the previous sentiments, Jim was one of a kind, and a cornerstone of this message board, and his presence will be sorely missed. ------------- Live in stereo. |
Posted By: radiofan16
Date Posted: 14 June 2017 at 12:08am
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Damn, this hurts.
I had sent him a PM a few weeks ago: Hi Jim, Big fan of radio, and was always interested in the inner workings of the relationship between radio stations and record companies. Love the Rod Stewart stories( one of my favorites). Sad that he'll never get to read it. Here's what he said to me when I inquired about non Top 40 song: Welcome to Pat's forum. I have the original edited A&M 45, but am awful at providing edit instructions. So the way I always help folks out with non-Top 40 queries like this is to send them out a 45 dub wav. file. I see in your new profile that you didn't provide an e-mail address. I normally do that, too, whenever possible. But here on Pat's forum, e-mail is how we "regular helpers" primarily assist with answers to folks' queries, for over a decade now. Bottom line: I don't know where to send out your requested version to, for your analysis. So please let me know. Jimct |
Posted By: The Hits Man
Date Posted: 14 June 2017 at 4:55am
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Wow. He was way too young!
Like most of you, i've been on this forum for about as long as Jim had, but I can't recall if I interacted with him much. I just know he brought a lot of wealth to this community. I just hope he's having a blast listening to all his favorite tunes wherever he is. ------------- |
Posted By: musicmanatl
Date Posted: 14 June 2017 at 6:42pm
| This is such sad news. Like many of us here, I never met Jim, but I feel like I got to know him virtually through this forum. I'm so grateful for this community. I may not post often, but I read everything and love knowing there are others out there with the same interest. :) |
Posted By: DJghr1
Date Posted: 14 June 2017 at 7:01pm
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This truly saddens me. My condolences to his family and
to his close friends as well. His musical knowledge was pristine. He will be missed here by all. |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 15 June 2017 at 1:04pm
| So sad to hear about this. Though we had our differences, I'll never forget the package he once sent me, which contained many single edits and promo edits. A very kind gesture. And I agree, he shared a wealth of knowledge on the board that, like all of you, I appreciated. Rest in Peace. |
Posted By: jono
Date Posted: 16 June 2017 at 6:06pm
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Wow, I'm still startled by this awful news.
Jim will certainly be remembered for his many contributions to this board. I don't know how many 45 versions he was at least partially responsible for distinguishing from the LP versions, based on his timings alone. He was a huge resource for all of us guys who wanted every proper 45 version from the Top 40 (and beyond) from the 60's and 70's, no doubt. He will be missed. Sadly, I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim. Or really anyone else on this board, for that matter (it would be nice to change that, in light of the suddenness of all this). However, I feel as if I knew Jim, at least a little bit, through his many postings over the years. I'll certainly miss reading his posts, which bore a lot of his personality in them in addition to his findings. Jon O. |
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 17 June 2017 at 4:24am
Great point there, Jon. Out of all the regulars here, the only one I've actually met in person is Ron (crapfromthepast), although I've struck up a phone friendship with a few others over the years. Maybe we should have some kind of "music/chart nerd" get together at some point. At least we've been able to form an online community here, something that wouldn't have been possible in the past. |
jono wrote:Posted By: NightAire
Date Posted: 17 June 2017 at 11:20pm
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Absolutely tragic! He will be deeply missed. ------------- Gene Savage http://www.BlackLightRadio.com - http://www.BlackLightRadio.com http://www.facebook.com/TulsaSavage - http://www.facebook.com/TulsaSavage Tulsa, Oklahoma USA |
Posted By: KentT
Date Posted: 22 June 2017 at 5:48am
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I am saddened about jimct's passing. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and informative and a fellow broadcast professional. He'll be missed. ------------- I turn up the good and turn down the bad! |
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 08 July 2017 at 5:17am
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Jim's obituary has been posted online here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/james-abbott-obituary?pid=1000000185990427 - www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/james-abbott-obituary? pid=1000000185990427 |
Posted By: Ringmaster_D
Date Posted: 08 July 2017 at 7:39am
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Just got back yesterday from being out of the country
for a month and I am so saddened to see this news. This forum has always made me feel connected to the regulars here even though I've never met any of you. Jim was always a vast wealth of musical knowledge and insight. He will be missed. Thanks Aaron for the picture and Paul for the obituary. It's nice to get to know a little more about Jim. It would be great if we could all meet up somewhere one day. |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 12 July 2017 at 11:17am
| I'm not seeing the obituary on the link. Maybe because I have an outdated browser. I do see several pics of Jim, and some comments on the end, but not the actual obituary itself. |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 12 July 2017 at 12:25pm
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Gordon, on that page, just below Jim's name, there are three options: "Obituary", Condolences" and "Gallery." Click on "Obituary" and you should see it.
And Paul, thanks for passing along the word. |
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 13 July 2017 at 3:37am
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For those that may have problems with the link, here's the actual obit as published in the New Haven Register:
James Christopher Abbott, 59, of West Haven passed away peacefully Sunday, June 11th at Yale-New Haven hospital after a long illness. Born August 6, 1957 in Bridgeport, CT. He was predeceased by his father James Robb Abbott, mother Barbara O' Leary and sister Jennifer Brown. He is survived by his sisters Tracy Brown, Leslie Abbott and Allison Abbott. 1975 graduate of West Haven High School. 1979 graduate from the University of the New Haven (Magna Cum Laude/Alpha Chi National Honor Society inductee), with a bachelor's degree in communication and a minor in political science.Formerly employed as a Manager/Computer Programmer at SNET (now AT&T) in New Haven. Formerly an On-Air DJ at WAVZ and KC101, As "Jim McNeil", for many years. Formerly an On-Air DJ, and sports play-by-play announcer at his alma mater's radio station, WNHU, and was best known for his 30-year,"1960's and 1970's weekly oldies show, from 1978-2007. Abbott received many recognition awards throughout his lifetime, for outstanding achievement, aspiring leadership and exceptional service to the community.award. He will be remembered as a beloved brother, kind, generous, dedicated musicologist, nationally esteemed music collector, mentor/life coach to his friends, and a positive, upbeat source of inspiration to those he touched in the community. A Mass of Remembrance will take place at Our Lady of Victory Church, 600 Jones Hill Road, West Haven on Saturday July 8th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077. Published in The New Haven Register on July 5, 2017 |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 23 July 2017 at 6:40pm
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After an extensive absence on this forum, I feel a duty to finally chime in regarding the deeply sad news of our dear friend Jim Abbott's recent passing. I actually learned of this news over a month ago here on the message board and, as others have pointed out, Jim's encyclopedic knowledge of Top 40 music and radio was absolutely second-to-none. The man could've literally filled volumes of books with fascinating stories and accounts of practically every record he'd ever spun during his decades long tenure as a professional radio personality. Though he had taken every occasion possible to share his steel-trap recollections of all things Top 40 music when the situation warranted, Jim sadly take to his grave an enormously vast musical knowledge that ultimately becomes a tremendous loss to all of us here on the forum.
But perhaps more importantly, there was a tremendous man behind all his unmistakable musical prowess. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing and meeting Jim Abbott personally can unequivocally vouch for the fact that he profoundly valued and treasured everyone he considered close to him. In a heartbeat, he was always willing to make any personal sacrifice necessary for a friend in need. I had the privilege and honor of meeting up with Jim my only time in person at a mom-and-pop CD/record shop in upstate New York in 2009 and only wished we could've spent an entire week hanging out together. Many remember Jim as a highly passionate, animated, and even feisty individual who possessed one of the most hearty and infectious laughs you'll ever hear! And yet he was also a man of great character, strength, and integrity who really connected with those around him on a spiritual level as well. I will miss our late night phone chats that would last into the wee hours of the morning which would ceaselessly leave us wondering in disbelief where all the time had gone! Several years ago, I went through a deeply traumatic, life-changing personal life experience that drove me to "go dark" and adopt a life of seclusion (thus explaining my prolonged inactivity on this message board after years of being a regular presence). In the process, I dropped out of contact with numerous friends and acquaintances... Regrettably, this including Jim. And now it is with a heavy heart that I'd allowed his final emails to me to go unanswered and that I never took to the time to reconnect with him before it was too late. In the meantime, it is good to see old friends and regulars here on the message board still alive and well. It is my sincere belief that our dear friend Jim and his legacy will be felt here for the foreseeable future. He would want nothing more than for us to continue carrying on the proverbial "Top 40 Music on CD Torch" in his absence. I can almost feel his presence right now conveying to each of us in his deep, hearty baritone voice: "Thank you, kind sir!" It is my hope to return as a regular contributor on the board again someday soon. Until then, in the words of the band Fun... May your past be the sound Of your feet upon the ground Carry on Carry on, carry on |
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 24 July 2017 at 8:37am
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Thanks for the nice post, Todd. It's good to see you back here, kind sir. ------------- Aaron Kannowski http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop |
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 24 July 2017 at 9:59am
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Agreed, good to see you back and your kind tribute to
Jim. All our best and hope to see you come back soon. |