John Bricker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, died last night at 78 surrounded by friends and family in his vacation home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Bricker suffered a stroke around 9 p.m. after attending a family reunion and died before an ambulance could reach his home.
After starting to write fiction at a young age, Bricker studied journalism during college, graduating with his bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in 2021.
The Mercury News hired Bricker as a music reporter after taking him on as an intern the summer after he graduated.
He excelled as a professional music journalist, quickly becoming one of the publication's most prolific writers.
Bricker won a Pulitzer Prize for a concert review he wrote about reclusive R&B singer Frank Ocean's performance in San Francisco on July 1, 2027, when he dramatically walked off stage in the middle of his set.
Interviewing the artist backstage after the show, Bricker provided rare insight into Ocean's relationship with his audience and why he keeps his fans wanting more.
Bricker retired after writing for The Mercury News for 20 years, but continued to write as a guest columnist for online music publications including All About Jazz and Consequence of Sound.
Bricker is survived by his brother, Kyle, who earned his master's degree in applied mathematics from San Jose State in 2023 and now teaches at the university.
"We always had very different interests," Kyle Bricker said. "He loved things I never really cared about, but I always admired his dedication."
John Bricker's extended family will hold a celebration of life in his hometown of San Jose on Oct. 19.
Bricker suffered a stroke around 9 p.m. after attending a family reunion and died before an ambulance could reach his home.
After starting to write fiction at a young age, Bricker studied journalism during college, graduating with his bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in 2021.
The Mercury News hired Bricker as a music reporter after taking him on as an intern the summer after he graduated.
He excelled as a professional music journalist, quickly becoming one of the publication's most prolific writers.
Bricker won a Pulitzer Prize for a concert review he wrote about reclusive R&B singer Frank Ocean's performance in San Francisco on July 1, 2027, when he dramatically walked off stage in the middle of his set.
Interviewing the artist backstage after the show, Bricker provided rare insight into Ocean's relationship with his audience and why he keeps his fans wanting more.
Bricker retired after writing for The Mercury News for 20 years, but continued to write as a guest columnist for online music publications including All About Jazz and Consequence of Sound.
Bricker is survived by his brother, Kyle, who earned his master's degree in applied mathematics from San Jose State in 2023 and now teaches at the university.
"We always had very different interests," Kyle Bricker said. "He loved things I never really cared about, but I always admired his dedication."
John Bricker's extended family will hold a celebration of life in his hometown of San Jose on Oct. 19.
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