Tributes have been paid to Nice n’ Sleazy’s doorman ‘Big John’ Fraser, who sadly died last weekend.

Friends and customers, including many musicians, shared memories of “the best doorman a pub could hope for” who was a staple part of the Sauchiehall Street bar and venue since it opened over 30 years ago.


The Twilight Sad shared a photo of singer James Graham with John, saying “So sorry to hear that we lost John this weekend. My wife was one of the managers of @nice_n_sleazy and John was the doorman for as long as I can remember.

“Many a night he had to put up with my drunken after hours patter. A truly lovely man who we’ll miss. Rest in Peace John.”

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos also paid tribute, saying:
“A lovely guy and a presence that will be greatly missed. That time he had to kick me out for misbehaviour, he was very jovial, compassionate, but firm”

Arab Strap’s Aidan Moffat also paid tribute on Twitter, saying: “Raising a glass tonight to Big John from Sleazy’s, the best doorman a pub could hope for, a solid gold gent with the mightiest laugh, who left us today. (And he only barred me once!) Slainte!”

And Norry, who runs the Lost Glasgow Facebook page, said: “He had a brilliant way of dealing with folk (a lightning sucker punch for arseholes), and the biggest laugh you ever heard.

“I once asked him if the racist abuse he got upset him, he shrugged, and said: ‘Why should it, I’m a Glaswegian’. That you were, mate; that you were. Condolences to his family, and many friends – dram raised… there’s a new man on the Pearly Gates.”