He looks at this note and shows it to me and it said, Hi, Les. How was the famous steel guitar melody devised? Somehow the future of music seems to be in a total different direction where the melody is very hard to find.". Robert. Brooklyn, New York, New York, United States. If Johnny is still alive, there could be children, even grandchildren. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny - Christmas Mine - Amazon.com Music Its going to be a good show and Rocky has a great band., Here is how Santo and Johnny looked playing Sleep Walk on the Dick Clark nighttime show. Terms of Service. Once this was discovered, many postings were retracted, citing the misunderstanding and emphasizing that the steel guitarist is indeed still alive although his whereabouts are currently unknown. Johnny Farina was 16, when he and his brother, Santo, released the all-time classic instrumental, Sleep Walk. And he was a nice man. But despite the original topping the Billboard pop chart in 1959, and the songs enduring legacy seeing it used in countless adverts and film soundtracks, Brooklyn brothers Santo and Johnny Farina dont often get mentioned in the pantheon of influential guitarists from the era. When Johnny turned 16, he told their father that they would be quitting school to pursue a career as "rock stars", to which their father responded "The only stars are in the sky."[7]. Even though Catarina Valente, who was an international singer, she sang it. Santo & Johnny were now International artists. No secret, we played it from our heart, not from a book or music lessons. I am launchina webiste and I will do some teasers at my local station We have a different style of playing and phrasing developed through years of playing the steel guitar, an instrument that was primarily used for country and Hawaiian music, mostly in the background, until Santo and I brought it into Rock n' Roll in the 50s in our own style as the lead instrument. It could be anything. The boys were young when their Dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Oklahoma. I have a group of movies that Sleep Walk was actually used in. Sleep Walk hit the airwaves in 1959, and added a new sound to Rock n Roll, a steel guitar as the lead instrument, unheard of at that time, an instrument associated with country and Hawaiian music used in the background. For more information and to purchase tickets, head here. It made me laugh a lot because he was a guitar player, and him walking around with the violin in his shorts was something to see. In order to have the best experience, please upgrade to a more modern browser. MySpace This trio appeared at local dances and parties, performing both original compositions and some Hawaiian standards. At that time they had the Camel cigarette billboard. All we kept hearing was mandolins, accordions and acoustic guitar. Sgt. Hes also moving a new album for the holidays, Christmas Mine. Couldnt sleep one night after a gig, and came up with the melody. The guy was so amazing. Its like play it or PLAY it. The steel guitarist of the duo, Johnny Farina keeps the retro guitar vibe of Santo & Johnny alive and well with his 2006 solo CD Pure Steel Vol. Its for any time. I saw on FB confirmed by family that Santo Farina has passed away at 77. http://www.amazon.com/Best-Santo-Jonny&qid=1465467534&ref_=sr_1_1&s=music&sr=1-1, Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. Johnny Farina was 16, when he and his brother, Santo, released the all-time classic instrumental, "Sleep Walk." The two brothers wrote it one night, when they couldn't sleep after playing a gig, and started jamming. The Strange Dave Show made me laugh. I apparently can't post links yet, but that page tells how their father, in the Army at the time, wanted the boys to learn how to play steel. I was producing an artist for Lorimar Records, and the vice president Jay Levy was hanging out at my studio, Carlton continues. Watch and listen to John Entwistle's isolated bass on The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again, Ozzy Osbourne names his dream supergroup and it features three guitarists. The brothers soon formed a duo and became rather popular in school, eventually performing at events in the New York boroughs. Santo & Johnny Farina - Sleepwalk - (Sonmbulo) - 1959 - YouTube Their first release, "Sleep Walk", was composed by the two brothers. One of the first covers was by Betsy Brye (stage name of Bette Anne Steele) in 1959. Obviously were gonna talk about Sleep Walk because its been such a pivotal record in your career and your life. Within two years, Santo was performing in amateur shows using a new Gibson six-string steel guitar and had started receiving lessons from a steel guitar teacher who had studied in Hawaii. They even ended up with their own TV show in Italy and went on to earn another gold record for their version of the theme from the movie The Godfather. What do you recall about recording the song at Trinity Music? When Johnny reached the age of twelve, he began to play accompaniment to Santo on a standard electric guitar. Santo is semi-retired and Johnny currently[when?] We have estimated "Its so special to me, because 'Sleep Walk' became my life, and to know it was never an oldie, or doo-wop, and can connect with any time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwfqsjimRM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nPJcvJ3vQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODIvONHPqpk. Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck put the style on Sleep Walk that they're known forheavy. I think theres such magic in music. Country and Western stars and musicians of the South Pacific held their ground with the same instrument combination. ABOUT LONG ISLAND; For Johnny Maestro, the Music Never Stopped In 2002 Santo & Johnny were inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. They appeared on American Bandstand, The Perry Como Show, The Alan Freed Show. 3/25/01. Diana Ross actually sang it. Jason Heintz, with the West Des Moines Police Department, said some detectives have spent their entire careers investigating Johnny's abduction and are now helping the younger generation pick up where they left off. Tony Farina looked at his son and said: Johnny, the only stars are in the sky. Santo Farina is 73 years old (birthdate: October 24, 1937). Rick, could you help me directing me on hot to go about obtaining permission to use sleepwalk (Santo and Johnny) for a TV ad? Rick Landers: Yeah, he was wonderful. During that time he was stationed in Texas and Oklahoma. Some of the people stood up. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. It was a painting and when the paintings painted, its painted. It was Tony Farina who introduced the steel guitar to his sons, Santo and Johnny. It remains one of the biggest hits from rock n rolls golden era, and its no exaggeration to say that it changed the perception of instrumental music. Id get the brush and just dip it in the paint. We didnt realize that they wanted to get more mileage out of the song. Or Brian Setzer the way he did it. Tweet The brothers eventually came to the attention of a music publishing company and signed a songwriter's contract and eventually landed a recording contract with Canadian-American Records. Johnny Farina left school, and has been making music ever since. If I dont play every day, there is something not right about the day for me. Johnny Farina: Ironically, when I was a kid, I never forgot that my father bought us a guitar, a steel guitar. He wrote home to his wife and said "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument". There are several covers of Sleep Walk by rock groups. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny. I think they were thinking that its a big instrumental. What are you waiting for. They also did all the cover records for the James Bond films.In 1965 they released an LP of Beatles songs. Heres the link please watch it. His place was the Gibson place where you would go. But, when I hear the 1959 Santo and Johnny Farina #1 hit instrumental, "Sleep Walk", it always stops me in my tracks. He also named the album Sleep Walk, and had a successful jazz album with it. After hearing a steel guitar on the radio, he wrote to his wife, "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument".Upon returning from World War II, the boys' father found a music teacher who gave the boys steel guitar lessons. A Village of Tamarind Grove resident, in a Letter to the Editor, contends Florida needs driving tests which are more stringent for senior citizens. The Beatles, especially George Harrison, were big fans of Sleep Walk. Harrison once released a song called Marwa Blues which was influenced by Sleep Walk. A John Lennon song, Free As A Bird, also bears resemblance to the soft, slide steel guitar sound of Farinas record. The follow-up song "Tear Drop" was also a hit, though their LP Santo & Johnny was less successful in the United States.After touring Europe, Mexico, and Australia, Santo & Johnny signed to an Italian record label and had several hits in Europe that included "Sleep Walk", "Love Story", "Maria Elena", "Ebb Tide", "Love is Blue", "Enchanted Sea", and others. Johnny Farina currently operates the official Santo And Johnny worldwide website, which includes current tour dates, discography, biography, trivia and new merchandise Farina also currently operates the official Johnny MySpace page, which includes current tour dates, discography, biography, and audio samples from his new solo albums. SLEEP WALK was the last (number 1) intrumental of the 50;s and earned them a Gold Record. [9] How has the music industry changed over the years? 911 followers. It held the #1 spot for them in Italy for 26 weeks which broke all records in Italy. Interview: Johnny Farina on 60 Years of the Iconic Instrumental, "Sleep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwfqsjimRM Santo, October 24, 1937 and Johnny, April 30, 1941. It earned them a Gold Record and they went on to tour the world. Great job dude. Which memory from the late Bo Diddley makes you smile? This trio appeared at local dances and parties, performing both original compositions and some Hawaiian standards. Johnny Farina: Because Sleep Walk can actually be for any timeit was written in one of the newspapers when Celine Dion sang the song from Titanic, you visualize the ship going down. The boys were young when their Dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Oklahoma. So he said, You guys are writing good songs and are losing them. With that, he bought us a Webcor tape recorder and said, Record everything you do. We would start a melody, and do as much as we could, then start another one, then go back to the first one a day or two later. But despite this lack of wider acclaim, Johnny Farina is still going strong to this day, and despite his brother retiring nearly 50 years ago, the 80-year-old still travelling around the world wowing fans (pandemic permitting) with the chops he and his brother first learned at his father's behest. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by WayOutWardell, Jun 8, 2016. I must play every day. Great interview/er. It was the last instrumental to hit #1 in the 1950s and earned Santo & Johnny a gold record. When I make that stroke, I wouldnt think about it, I would just do it. The song changed his life in many ways. The brothers soon formed a duo and became rather popular in school, eventually performing at events in the New York boroughs. [1] They are best known for their instrumental "Sleep Walk", which became a regional hit and eventually reached the top of the Billboard pop chart when it was released nationally in 1959. Years later, they formed a band, playing at church dances, weddings and clubs. I am hoping to find some other links to the Farinas that I am involved with. The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. It had a magnetic appeal during a time when there began a tectonic shift from the sax to the guitar as the solo instrument of choice for a new generation of musicians. , money, salary, income, and assets. We used to do cover songs and after awhile of playing cover songs, we would jump into jamming a little. Johnny Farina: No, a lot of people when they signed, they also signed that into effect, that there's no renewal that will apply to them. He owned Trinity Music and became our manager. When it became a monster smash, the family had to move out of Brooklyn. Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. We never heard a steel guitar. Santo & Johnny / Johnny Farina - Facebook Im sure glad we used it. Lets talk a little bit about your background. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the release of "Sleep Walk," the classic steel guitar instrumental from Brooklyn brothers Santo and Johnny Farina, who recorded under the name Santo & Johnny. (Photo: Johnny and Bo Diddley). Santo & Johnny. Santo and Johnny are known best for. Eventually, dad bought a tape recorder and encouraged us to record whenever we rehearsed or played. Its sort of like a scary movie because thats the trend today. After many, many years, I got my publishing back. Image: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images. Do you recall what guitar you used on the recording? They were than signed to an Italian record label and had a string of hits in Europe starting with "Sleep Walk" followed by hit singles, Love Story, Maria Elena, Ebb Tide, Love is Blue, Enchanted Sea, etc, etc. What I noticed about them, they had a lot of speed. Alvino Rey, and my father was also inspired by the background players of Hank Williams. It was in a movie called All I Want for Christmas, with Cher, A Smile Like Yours, The Locust, Mermaids. Thanks. Im playing a 1956 Fender double-neck eight-string through a Fender Twin Reverb, he explains. Steel Guitarist, Johnny Farina, Talks About Sleep Walk, Les Paul, The In Italy in 2012, performing The Godfather (Ill Padrino) with a 23 piece orchestra, live. According to our Database, He has no children. Their father was drafted into the Army while they were children and was stationed for some time in Oklahoma. Johnny Farina: I dont think so. Johnny Farina: Yes, you have to feel it. It really keeps you young. Tony had been in the Army, and heard steel guitar music.