Santo & Johnny. Johnny Farina: Absolutely. At that time they had the Camel cigarette billboard. I have a group of movies that Sleep Walk was actually used in. They were in their late 80s. Father bought us a six-string Gibson lap steel along with a small Gibson amplifier so we took a few lessons then started to learn and write our own songs too. Our condolences go out to the Farina family. 1 position for two weeks in September (the 21st and the 28th) and remained in the 'Top 40' list until November 9. The brothers eventually came to the attention of a music publishing company and signed a song writer's contract and eventually a contract with Canadian-American Records. He also named the album Sleep Walk, and had a successful jazz album with it. What do you recall about recording the song at Trinity Music? Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by WayOutWardell, Jun 8, 2016. Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? Sleep Walk migrated the sound to the pop and early rock genre of the day, and in its own way, introduced the sound to a budding audience of young listeners and guitar players. In celebration of the song's 60th anniversary, Johnny Farina is performing a special show at New York City's the Cutting Room on April 20. Let's take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day ..? Its been in so, so many movies. Johnny Farina Santo Farina Santo & Johnny were an American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York. He had a good ear. Thats what I got from that, when people ask how I wrote the song. He plays Savannah Center for two shows on Thursday at 5 and 8 p.m. Hes part of Rockys Original Lead Singers of Pop N Rock, concert. This is an UnsteadyCam Production. But, it never really took off. 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. Thats one movie that Ill never forget how it was used. Johnny has kept the magical steel guitar sound alive performing as a solo artist all over the country since the early 70's. Santo & Johnny is an American rock and roll instrumental duo of Italian descent from Brooklyn, New York, composed of brothers Santo Farina (born October 24, 1937) and Johnny Farina (born April 30, 1941). 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. How was the famous steel guitar melody devised? It has been covered multiple times by such artists as Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Joe Satriani, Les Paul, the Ventures, Brian Setzer and Larry Carlton. His place was the Gibson place where you would go. We recorded The Godfather because of the excitement of such a film coming out, knowing it would be such a success, and then hearing the theme, it was just a great piece of music to record. The brothers soon formed a duo and became rather popular in school, eventually performing at events in the New York boroughs. Johnny Farinas income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. LARRY CARLTON/JOHNNY FARINA (September 2012). "It's a song that won't die. In reply to: Santo and Johnny Farina. That was good. It lends itself to a lot of different genre of movies, dont you think? I dont know if you ever heard of him. In a Letter to the Editor, a Bushnell resident writes that The Villages and its residents could care less about the locals in Sumter County. With Sleep Walk, the harmonic line was recordedfirst, then we went back and put on some melody, listened, and kept changing the melody until it happenedmagic. I had an idea to do it operatic style. Rick: The song came out in 59, right? After I finished playing, he actually said, Listen, are you gonna play here? I said, Yeah, sure. He said, Sometimes when I have people up onstage and I want them to go, I say Theres a phone call for you. I said, Les, when you want to get rid of me, just tell me Theres a phone call for you. He said, No, that phones not gonna ring for you. When Santo was a teenager, he was able to get a local music store to modify an acoustic guitar, allowing him to play it like a steel guitar.[5]. When he returned from the war they searched out to a man who could get them started with the steel. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, But, when I hear the 1959 Santo and Johnny Farina #1 hit instrumental, Sleep Walk, it always stops me in my tracks. It was their first proper recording, but full of youthful confidence, Johnny set off to New Yorks famous Brill Building to hawk the tune to the composers and lyricists that made the building famous. My Grandfather, Joe, used to talk to Santo all the time on the phone when he was still alive and I was young. Can you tell our readers what you are up to musically these days? Robert. This trio appeared at local dances and parties, performing both original compositions and some Hawaiian standards. , money, salary, income, and assets. It has been also covered by The Shadows, Stray Cats, The Ventures, Jake Shimabukuro, Amos Garrett, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, Larry Carlton, Deftones, Chet Atkins, Danny Gatton, Leo Kottke, The Sir Douglas Quintet, Jonathan Richman, Larry Berwald, and Joe Satriani. Johnny Farina: I think its easy to play. The boys were young when their Dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Oklahoma. Help Search Join Private Messages Log in Search Join Private Messages Log in 62 years ago, guitar players around the world were mesmerised by the new sound coming from a New York duo Sleep Walk by Santo & Johnny. 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. Our first record session, when we recorded Sleep Walk. I believe the best way to describe the Santo & Johnny Farina sound, is as a very intimate and sensual steel guitar sound. There on the radio he heard this beautiful music, it was the sound of the steel guitar. I listened to vocalist Betty Anne Steeles version of it, which I thought was really good. Santo and Johnny Farina were born in Brooklyn, New York; Santo on October 24, 1937 and Johnny on April 30, 1941. Im sure glad we used it. Sleep Walk has been recorded by over 100 artists. They recorded a demo which they circulated to local New York record companies.In 1958, Mike Dee & The Mello Tones (Santo Farina, steel guitar; Johnny Farina, guitar and their uncle Mike Dee, drums) recorded a self-penned instrumental which they called "Deep Sleep". Years later, they formed a band, playing at church dances, weddings and clubs. Just before my father died, he told me: Johnny, never stop playing that steel guitar. I hear a lot of steel guys playing it and they just play it. I was 16 and my brother was 19. SLEEP WALK was the last (number 1) intrumental of the 50;s and earned them a Gold Record. And it was an honor that they used our song. Get the latest news, reviews and features to your inbox. Santo & Johnny were now International artists. Rick, could you help me directing me on hot to go about obtaining permission to use sleepwalk (Santo and Johnny) for a TV ad? He was a genius. This is the first time we start to talk and I actually met him. I like to go boating, but the instrument, I always thought that was part of it. They received a Gold Record for it in Italy and were inducted into the Hall of Fame in Italy as well.Santo & Johnnywere nowInternational artists. They didnt try to copy the original. BA1 1UA. Read his Letter to the Editor. Rick: Yeah, he had a great sense of timing. Thank you so very much. They are known best for their instrumental melody "Sleep Walk", one of the biggest hits of the golden age of rock 'n' roll, which became a regional success and eventually scored the top of the Billboard pop chart when it was released nationally during 1959. I never forgot the day that my brother and I were walking in front of our parents. The next morning, I get a phone call. It took us over a year to get Sleep Walk, recorded., The song took off, Johnny said, after famed DJ Alan Freed started playing it in New York City. That scene always gets to me, because I loved Ritchies music, Farina said. I am hoping to find some other links to the Farinas that I am involved with. What Santo and Johnny birthed was a song overflowing with the kind of magic and dreamy romance felt when two star crossed lovers gaze into one anothers eyeswhen two hearts beat as one. "Sleep Walk" entered Billboard's 'Top 40' on August 17, 1959. Is Johnny Rodriguez country singer still alive? Id get the brush and just dip it in the paint. Hes also moving a new album for the holidays, Christmas Mine. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny. When I play, I like to hold off of those notes as long as possible. The best time of my career is when I heard Sleep Walk on the radio for the first time. 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. It just happened as we were creating original melodies. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. In a Letter to the Editor, a Villager says that restaurants should not allow smoking in outdoor areas. Santo & Johnny were an American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York. My favorite was La Bamba (The Ritchie Valens Story, 1987), he added. One day Johnny decided to try a music publishing company and there is where the history of "Sleep Walk" started, they signed a song writer's contract which later on lead them to Canadian American Records. Rick: In trying to cover a classic, its really difficult to get the feel of the original, I think, in many cases. In addition to a new version of "Sleepwalk" Johnny summons up some . They worked these 14 years playing clubs and casinos all over Europe. They had recorded and released over 40 albums worldwide. The worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. They also had their own TV Show in Italy. 11 guitarists who shaped Derek Trucks' sound, Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DCs Back in Black like youve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm n blues reimagining, How Jeff Beck passed the Telecaster torch to Jimmy Page and changed the course of rock history, Nuno Bettencourt says Prince once called him one of the top three guitar players in the world, Watch two bassists shred-off using Tosin Abasi's selective picking technique. Thanks. Johnny continues to perform all over the world! 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.At present, Santo is semi-retired and Johnny tours and records new material with his own band. I wanted to get it to, at the time, Pavarotti. Rick:I hadnt realized until yesterday really that Sleep Walk actually had lyrics. (10 years ago), Robert You can e-mail Johnny at: zzzwalk@optonline.net Best Regards, Rick. The Farina brothers began to gather fans from Brooklyn to Long Island. Ive been playing since I was about nine. 1, he said. He was four years older than me. It was crazy, Johnny said. They recorded a demonstration record that they circulated to local New York record companies. The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. The Farina brothers would garner a #1 hit and gold record in Italy for their recording of The Godfather theme, a #1 hit in Mexico with an instrumental of The Beatles now classic, And I Love Her, as well as be honored to see Brian Setzer gather up a Grammy Award for his version of Sleep Walk. I believed in that song, Johnny, who will appear in The Villages on Thursday, said in a recent telephone interview. They worked these 14 years playing clubs and casinos all over Europe. this can result in this site earning a commission. Hed get up late. Its a total different instrument. Im proud to say my version was a top ten hit and now my catalogue is forever identified with it Im honoured and congratulate Santo and Johnny for writing such a classic.. 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. Im sitting with Les. Their father was drafted into the Army while they were children and was stationed for some time in Oklahoma. Its finished. "And I Love Her" hit the #1 spot and held it for 21 weeks in Mexicoandthey received The Golden Kangaroo Award for it in Mexico. Are there any versions that you particularly enjoy? It could be Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. My brother and I had no idea we were writing songs. What is your favorite cover of "Sleep Walk"? Santo is semi-retired and Johnny currently[when?] Johnny Jett is one of the original main cast members of 'Barnwood Builders.' Jett has been appearing on the series since the very first season, having made his debut in the premiere episode where he worked with the rest of the craftsmen to salvage a barn built by Abraham Lincoln's uncle. Indie group Modest Mouse also covered the song with lyrics and entitled their version "Sleepwalkin'". My brotherand I brought the steel guitar into rock and roll, Johnny said. The Strange Dave Show made me laugh. It was the last #1 instrumental of the 50's and earned them a Gold Record. It was Tony Farina who introduced the steel guitar to his sons, Santo and Johnny. I had a girl sing it and it was really good. I hope people start to get back into songs that have strong melodies, and great chord changes. He is from USA. It held the #1 spot for them in Italy for 26 weeks which broke all records in Italy. Brian Setzer won a Grammy for his big band version of Sleep Walk,and he took it in a totally different direction. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, Ironically, we never really play country and western. Loosely inspired by the song "Softly, As In The Morning Sunrise" (Sigmund Romberg, 1929), it had the same chord progression but a simpler melody line. A Village of Silver Lake resident contends a bag drop is sorely needed at the Southern Oaks golf course. Rick: Sometimes the silence between notes is as important as the notes. Powered by, Badges | Now Im 75 and still playing it. Still touring and keeping Sleep Walk alive! Theres a version of Sleep Walk. I don't know how legal it was at the time or if it still holds up. Theyre like a monument, like the Colosseum. We used to do cover songs and after awhile of playing cover songs, we would jump into jamming a little. I changed the chord structure as I did in my Christmas CD. 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. All we kept hearing was mandolins, accordions and acoustic guitar. Also in 1999 a version of "Sleep Walk" by Brian Setzer earned the song a Grammy Award for best instrumental of 1999. It earned them a Gold Record and they went on to tour the world. Dad was in the army and he heard what he thought was Hawaiian or steel guitars on the radio and loved that sound, Johnny says, So he wrote home to our mother saying hed like the boys to learn to play. Still writing, performing, and running my publishing company. Johnny Farina: Yes, I believe that very strongly. Wed love to stay in touch, sign up for The Pick team to contact you with great news, content and offers. They also had their own TV Show in Italy. I am launchina webiste and I will do some teasers at my local station I was never a fast player. 2004-2022 Guitar International Group, LLC. Santo and Johnny Farina are brothers. Turn the radio on and listen how it changed. A version by Brian Setzer received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1998. Musician/band. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. That was the same year that Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens passed away? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had? All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Because of constant radio airplay and play in numerous TV shows and commercials, "Sleep Walk" continues to be one of the most popular and quickly recognized instrumentals of the 20th century. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny. It is part of my life. When Johnny reached the age of twelve, he began to play accompaniment to Santo on a standard electric guitar. Click here to subscribe! More than six decades after its release, the enduring popularity of Sleep Walkis remarkable, especially given that it was the pairs only top 10 hit, but Johnnys take on their lightning in a bottle moment is typically humble. We left Trinity with such excitement, twoBrooklyn brothers are going to be rich and famous. Sleep Walk also keeps popping up in movies, and has been used in about 40 films, Farina said. Thats basically how we got introduced to a guitar. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and It could be 12 Monkeys. Johnny Farina: I dont think so. What do you miss most nowadays from the past? He said no. 3/25/01. He is currently single. Until, Sleep Walk, the steel guitar was mostly used in country music, and some blues. Hanging proudly on his wall, Johnny has 2 Gold Records, one for "Sleep Walk" and on for "The Godfather".Because of constant radio airplay and play in numerous TV shows and commercials, "Sleep Walk" continues to be one of the most popular and quickly recognized instrumentals of the 20th century. In addition to being featured extensively in movies, television and commercials, Sleep Walk has also been covered by everyone from Jeff Beck, Brian Setzer (who won a Grammy for his version in 1998) and Larry Carlton to Derek Trucks, Chet Atkins and even the Deftones. i suggest Johnny was using an A 6. Gary James' Interview With Johnny Farina Of Santo And Johnny Their song, an instrumental song called "Sleep Walk" spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard charts in September, 1959. I recorded this at The Cutting Room June 8 2013 (NYC). Its also the song that inspired Peter Green to compose his masterwork, Albatross, and John Lennon to write Free As A Bird. (The original single credits three Farinas, including an "A. Farina" for the composition. Johnny's performance is an energy packed show with great memories guaranteed. Ive never stopped playing. I am german and italian (sicilian). It was the last instrumental to hit #1 in the 1950s and earned Santo & Johnny a gold record. We lived in an Italian neighborhood. Heres a man who came from Italy when he was nine. I saw that and I told my brother, Some day were going to have our pictures up on a sign like that. At the beginning of our conversation, I asked if hed ever met Les Paul, who had covered Sleep Walk and our conversation turned to the interview. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). [9] We will update Johnny Farina's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Santo and Johnny had a few more hits, such as Tear Drop, Caravan, and All Night Diner. Report an Issue | Johnny made the rounds of the New York record companies. Johnny Farina: Its like anything else. I saw on FB confirmed by family that Santo Farina has passed away at 77. Sleep Walk reached #1 on the charts and earned them a Gold Record. 911 followers. He was 17 when killed in a 1959 airplane crash with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. Bo Diddley, playing a violin backstage in his shorts at The Alan Freed Show in Brooklyn, New York. Its like so many people when I hear them singing a song, either they have it or they dont have it. We were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame about 10 years ago and I was down in St. Louis. Its been documented that when American DJ Alan Freed heard Sleep Walk for the first time he supposedly said this song is never going to die, and he was right. [4], Santo Anthony Farina and John Steven Farina were born in Brooklyn, New York, to Anthony and Josephine Farina: Santo on October 24, 1937, and Johnny on April 30, 1941.
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