RIP - Johnny "Chop" Vasko Although I didnt know Johnny anywhere near as well as Steve (Read below), he was extremely influencial in the path I now lead in life... I am deeply sadened by this loss. My heart and thoughts go out to you, your family, and all those you've touched in this life. God speed.. <ORIGINAL MESSAGE> This is the first time I have very written something in this section... And now .. I figured this is the time... I just recieved news I would never wish for anyone to have to hear.. I lost a friend today ... And yeah I'm F!@! ..$ing sad... A good friend a guy who inspired me.. a friend who was always on the same level.. weather it be designing...welding.. women. cars.. bikes you name it... I have watched him make his name in life... I watched him at his low.. and I have seen him rise above the best in this F!@@..!@ ed up scene... His name is Johhny VaSKO.. though some of you know him as Johnny Chop!... visionary... at it's best! I love you Johhny! my heart goes out to you and your family.. Steve Sellers... ______________________________________________________________ -Nick
Sorry for your loss.....he seemed to be a very talented guy and a breath of fresh air in the motorcycle scene. Dirty
Apparently a heart issue.....Steve Sellers contacted us earlier today about it. We've lost a great builder and fabricator....he was taken too young. I am still blown away by this news
thats f*ing terrible news, he was one of those sparks that brought some excitment to the industry. this is a sad day indeed
Oh man...I had heard that he was having some problems but I didn't know it was that serious. My friend Rob brought Johnny by my shop last year while he was in Dallas for a show.....couldn't have been a more nice or genuine guy. That really really sucks to hear.
i was blown away when i got the news,this realy sucks! johnny was a good friend and a insperation in my life.he was also a X Road Zombie,were all gona miss you johnny. R.I.P. JOHNNY VASKO my heart gose out to you and your family! ROAD ZOMBIES FOREVER FOREVER ROAD ZOMBIES WE LOVE YOU JOHNNY
damn,,this really sucks so sorry to hear... ..me and my brother met him a few years ago,,a totally cool REAL guy, and loved his style of bikes,, this saddens me... R.I.P.
That is a shame! I talked to Johnny a few times over the phone and exchanged a few e-mails, he was an extremely nice guy. RIP Johnny Chop. -eddie
From what I know about him, my impression is that Johnny truly seemed to be a guy who cleared his own path and didn't compromise his ideals, creativity or ambition. I doubt anyone who knew anything about Johnny ever associated his "Chop" nickname, or work, with what is now widely thought of as a "chopper." The little I know about him made an impression. Sad to see that kind of energy snuffed out.
Here is todays statement from Easyriders.......... Bike builder Johnny Vasko, aka Johnny Chop, died of heart problems at 1 am, Tuesday March 28. For those of you who may not know who Johnny is, you may have seen him on a few episodes of the Discovery Channel’s "Biker Build-Off," ESPN’s "Chopper Nation," or at a myriad of other well-known motorcycle events around the country. Not many people knew of his health issues as Johnny preferred to live life to its fullest, rather than dwell on his own problems. We’ll all miss this young man who, at 34 years young, held a spark for both the future of motorcycle building and showed great enthusiasm for tattoos, music and just living life. I had just completed several photo shoots with Johnny, two of which are scheduled to run in our magazines soon. The first will appear in the June issue of Easyriders that goes on sale April 25 and the second will appear in the August issue of Savage Magazine with an on sale date of May 30. I was very much looking forward to spending more time with him at an event that's just around the corner and at the upcoming Long Beach Tattoo Fest., where he was putting on an Old-School Bike Show. Johnny will be greatly missed by all of his family, friends and fans. It's hard to know what to say at a time like this, but Johnny provided a fitting statement, through the tats on his knuckles, which comes from the book "The Outsiders." As his knuckles boldly state: “Stay Gold." Rest in Peace, brother. Scott McCool Managing Editor, Easyriders Magazine Editor, Tattoo Savage
WHAT THE FUCK... tHIS SUCKS MAN..we have truly lost some great ones this year already...I would have never expected to hear his name... Man, I just ordered some things from him too.. Johnny Chop-Rest in Peace holmes! Steve- I have a couple of questions for you when you have time holmes...Hit me w/a pm when you are up to it...Keep your head up and talk to you soon! Dirty
very sorry for your loss... at near 60 I often question why I'm still here and some of those around me were taken before their time... I've come to the conclusion that there exists a select few individuals who have the amazing ability to get things so "right" that the need for them to be shared with us any longer is no longer necessary... having said that, I also believe that our charge in what remains of our life is to keep the memory and that incredible influence alive... pick up the torch and carry it for your brother and he lives forever.
Oh man, this is terrible. Johnny was unbelievably talented. He was also a great guy, real positive and real fun to work with. When he had the House of Chop here in Santa Cruz he started getting into surfing -- and took it on with the same enthuisasm he approached everyting else. I swapped him a new longboard for helping me colorsand my dad's roadster. He really enjoyed getting out in the water, said it helped him disconnect from all the craziness that sometimes went on in his shop. My condolences go out to everyone that was close to him. What a loss.
Man that bites. He was supposed to be in Austin for the ROT Rally in June. Damn man, only the good die young. I'll die at 90.............. RIP Johnny.............
johnny was to start another biker build off yesturday,i still cant beleave this .Hes going to be missed by many.. R.I.P JOHNNY
Another great talent leaving the world way too soon...my condolensces to his fmaily. He will be missed.
The Jalopy Journal
