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Monday, 26 July 2010 20:59

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

John Barbero, the longtime public address announcer at Civic and Mellon Arena has died following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 65.

According to a Penguins official, Barbero began calling Penguins games during the 1972-73 season.

In addition to his duties with the Penguins, Barbero also served as a principal in the Central Greene School District before retiring in 2004.

EN Says: Think of what John Williams' music meant to the Stars Wars trilogy. That's what John Barbero meant to a Penguins game at Civic/Mellon Arena.

He was the soundtrack to a live Penguins game in person.

For anyone who attended a Penguins game, you surely caught yourself speaking along with Barbero, "The Pittsburgh Goal. His 50th of the season. No. 66. Maarrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeooooo..... Leeeeeeeemmmmmewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......." anytime the Penguins' captain scored a goal.

You really couldn't help yourself. The easy, smooth way Barbero had of announcing a goal was so intoxicating. It was exciting, yet he didn't deliver it as if he were screaming a monster truck rally.

If you were a really hardcore fan, you probably even found yourself adding, "Assisted by... No. 68 Jaromir Jagr and No. 77 Paul Coffey. Time of the goal..."

And go ahead and admit that in your private moments, you wondered what your name would sound like if  Barbero were announcing one of your own goals.

Barbero was as much a part of the experience of a Penguins game at Mellon/Civic Arena as the ice, the cramped seats or gigantic dome.

A few seasons ago, FSN Pittsburgh put together a nice piece about Barbero:

Barbero missed all of last season due to his illness and something just wasn't there. All due respect to his replacement Ryan Mill, but he wasn't Barbero.

No one will ever be.

Comments (8)

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written by dbenton22, July 26, 2010 - 11:13 PM

I have to say that like many Pens fans, I was devastated to hear of John's illness and his passing. One of the first things I noticed when I got to the arena for games was when he WASN'T there. It wasn't the same without him. Like you mentioned, he was a soundtrack for games. Since my first game in '88, growing up I'd recite his calls to myself or say them in the hopes that they would soon come true. He was never loud or over the top but the calls and his voice were soothing and exciting at the same time. Your analogy to the Star Wars films and John Williams' soundtracks is right on, a necessary complement to what you're seeing in front of you. I missed him this past season and will miss him going forward... he was one of a kind.

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written by andrew, July 26, 2010 - 11:24 PM

Good post dbenton22. Couldn't have said it better myself.

You will be missed John as you were an integral part of Penguins hockey.

And good call about the monster truck voice Seth. I've been using that comparison for awhile now...

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written by Lili, July 26, 2010 - 11:30 PM

So sad today. First thing I thought in my head when I heard of his passing was his Mario Lemieux announcement. He was just as much a part of penguins hockey as Mike Lange on that side of the game. All Public address announcers could learn a thing or two by litening to him.

RIP John Barbaro. Enjoy watching down on the boys in their new home.

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written by gjdmd, July 27, 2010 - 01:54 AM

Second only to Mike Lange as the true voice of the Pens. Rest in peace John. Seth, were you fortunate enough to get a chance to talk to John at all before his passing for your Mellon Arena Memories series? If so, I believe that would make a great tribute to John.

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written by Okel Dokel, July 27, 2010 - 06:21 AM

RIP John. One of the true greats. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said his smooth, easy delivery was intoxicating.

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written by krikker, July 27, 2010 - 11:28 AM

RIP John. I can't envision a Pens game without him. So many incredible moments with him manning the mic. The brilliance of it was that just as the crowd was coming back down to the ground after a goal, the first few seconds of his goal announcement would reignite the frenzy.
What a shame he won't be there to open Consol. I hope the Pens do a tribute to Lascheid and Barbero when they open the new barn.

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written by mtglass, July 27, 2010 - 11:36 AM

A cool thing about hockey on the radio is that they pump the PA announcement of goal and penalty calls into the broadcast. So most of us heard Barbero's voice before ever attending a Penguins game. First time I went to a Penguins game and heard his voice doing pregame, it really hit me, like, "Wow, I'm at a real Penguins game!"

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written by rival22, July 27, 2010 - 12:57 PM

He'll be missed, and his voice has been the past couple seasons. I can't imagine how many times I imitated his goal calls shooting pucks in my garage as a kid... What a great voice.

At an old job, I answered a phone call from him... I knew the voice, but just couldn't place it until he said his name. I didn't want to hang up at the end of the call lol.

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