A Life Celebrated through Rhythm, Rhyme, and Music: The Creative Life of John J. Culkin
Booklet of the gathering #ThusCulkin

From left to right: Sarkis Bahar, Eliane Amherd, Baris Ünver, Gülcan Ünver, Rüya Ünver, Bircan Ünver, Clifford Jacobs,
Salih Mansur, Rashit and Asli Cavlak; In the front: Ülkü Durmazer, holding the booklet of the event.
At the back row: Harvey Dupition

[LMGlobal.Org] On November 8, 2025, a deeply heartfelt and successful memorial gathering was held to celebrate the Creative Life of John J. Culkin (J.J.C.), remembered through rhythm, rhyme, and emotional layers. The event, a vibrant testament to his artistic passion, took place at the Richmond Hill Public Library’s auditorium in Queens, NY, with the venue reserved through LMGlobal.Org.

The gathering began with Welcoming Remarks delivered by Bircan Ünver of LMGlobal.Org. Ms. Ünver screened a video-poem titled “I Am Voice of the Walls,” a piece J.J.C. was cited it in 1998 based on the Turkish artist Burhan Dogancay’s “Walls of the World” project. Then, Ms. Ünver cited a jointly written poem with J.J.C. in 1992, “Freedom of Human Spirit.”
The Library Manager Ms. Rebecca Alibatya joined her in welcoming the guests and expressed the shock and sadness she and the library staff felt upon learning of J.J.C.’s sudden passing on July 22, 2025.

This opening led to a series of personal tributes. Clifford Jacobs of QPTV (where J.J.C. worked for many years as a producer and trainer during the early 1990s), who delivered insightful Opening Remarks, in particular, he shared a vivid memory about his creative contribution in the CAPA Awards Ceremony (Certified Access Producer Awards) through a specific dance group performance and inspiring set design. 

Further remembrances were shared by childhood and high school friends Regina Schaeffer Santoro and Mildred Van Bergen, and his stepson, Barış Ünver. The emotional atmosphere was deeply felt with a surprise appearance from J.J.C’s sister, Diane Adamiak.

The core tribute centered on the musical legacy of Mr. Culkin and his band, Thus Culkin. The program masterfully blended pre-recorded tracks with powerful live performances by his collaborators: guitarist/singer Eliane Amherd and drummer Mike Culkin, who symbolically represented the heart of the band.

Key musical moments included the live-studio recorded song from 2024, “What Do you Need My Love For,” alongside compositions like “Castle By The Sea” and the uplifting “You Are Amazing.” A highlight of the evening was a special, heartfelt drum piece performed by Mike Culkin, J.J.C.’s younger brother.

For the closing, the program featured a poetic recitation of J.J.C.’s lyric, “You Are Really Living,” delivered by Eliane Amherd and Bircan Ünver, underscoring the enduring quality of his words.

The diverse attendance—including both sides of the families, friends, neighbors, and esteemed NGO colleagues from the Light Millennium Global at the UN—underscored the breadth of his life. This convergence of communities, complemented by a shared meal of Turkish food, fostered an atmosphere of warmth, connection, and collective appreciation.

Documented through photography and video by Rene Valdivia and Richard Graziano for the Light Millennium TV, the gathering successfully honored his creative spirit. The effort to produce and present this event, undertaken by LMGlobal.Org, serves as the organization’s testament to contributing to the large volume of original works, which clearly demonstrates the creativity, quality, and originality of John J. Culkin’s music and lyrics, ensuring his passionate work remains on the surface and continues to resonate with his communities.

The full delivered program, lyrics of his presented songs, and the links to his some of the recorded musics are available through the program’s booklet:

Further, The Light Millennium TV aims to make the video-recording of the gathering available at a later time.

A section of the photo exhibit from the family albums of John J. Culkin.

Diane Adamiak, sister of John J. Culkin

Barış Ünver, Bircan Ünver, Diane Adamiak, Mike Culkin #JohnJCulkin #ThusCulkin #Music

Mike Culkin, Richard Graziano (videographer), Bircan Ünver, Gülcan Ünver