Johnny Chop -- Info as of 5 April 06

As there has been so much traffic to my blog due to people doing searches on "Johnny Chop", I am including the press release I received today.

Also, I have inserted a footnote after this PR due to some misinformation that has been listed in here. The information regarding the Real Original Biker Build-Off in this PR was not confirmed by me and, while myself and the other producers appreciate the mention, the information is in fact incorrect.:

5/3/71 - 3/28/06

Johnny "Chop" Vasko, one of the finest classic-old school builders in the custom motorcycle industry, unexpectedly passed away at 7:30am, on Tuesday, March 28, from heart complications at the age of 34. Industry followers will greatly miss Johnny's very unique style and personality. Johnny Chop was feated as a 2005 Discovery Channel biker-build off contender, and a 2005 Hard Rock Road House Builder. With appearances on ESPN, ESPN2, The Discovery Channel, and Chopper Nation, Johnny Chop touched millions of lives throughout the world. He traveled to almost every bike week event and rally, and his presence graced dozens of biker publications throughout the world. Johnny's website described his unique style as being "not the influence of any one thing in the last ten years but the collective sum of all extra detail that makes his late 60's Frisco-style choppers unique. A simple and basic design that steps away from gaudy is more visually practical, yet punk rock." Johnny was currently working on filming a new show for The Real Original Bike build Off, www.BannedBreed.com, featuring an episode with friend and industry builder Roland Sands of Roland Sands Design and Performance Machines. This filming will continue as well as promotions for the Johnny Chop Invitational show on June 23-25, 2006 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. For more details on Johnny's unique legacy and to keep his legacy alive visit www.JohnnyChop.com. For more info on the upcoming Johnny Chop invitational and memorial tribute visit www.JohnnyChopInvitational.com. For more information on the Johnny "Chop" Vasko Memorial Block Party please visit www.RolandSands.com.

***NOTE FROM RAINE --- For those that read this blog that are aware of Johnny's involvement with the ROBBO series, of which I am one of the producers, the official press release regarding how Johnny's death has affected this series has not yet been issued.

Out of respect for Johnny, we will not issue the ROBBO press release until after his memorial service.