Johnny A.

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Johnny A.
Johnny A. playing at the Twilight Festival on June 14, 2007.
Background information
Born	c. 1952 USA
Genre(s)	Instrumental Rock, Jazz, Blues
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1975 - Present
Label(s)	Favored Nations
Website	www.johnnya.com
Notable instrument(s)
Gibson Johnny A. Signature Edition

Johnny A. is a guitarist, born in Malden, Massachusetts.^[1] Growing up in Boston as a young child, he became interested in music, starting with drums at age 6. Upon being exposed to The Beatles in 1964 (age 12), Johnny bought a $49 Lafayette Electronics guitar and started his life-long affair with the instrument.

After forming a band called The Streets and playing mostly in the Boston area, Johnny played with former Derek and the Dominos keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, then began a seven year stint with J. Geils Band front man Peter Wolf. He played on Wolf's albums, and co-produced one of them, as well as joining him on world tours. In 1986, Johnny's band, Hearts On Fire, placed second in the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble edged out by Gang Green.

Gibson's Custom Shop designed a Johnny A. Signature Edition guitar per his specifications, placing him in an exclusive club with BB King, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, and Les Paul himself.^{[2] [3]}

Contents 1 Name 2 Style 3 Discography 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Name

Johnny says his last name (of Greek origin) was always getting mispronounced. "It's always been Johnny A. since age eight," he says.^[4]

[edit] Style

Johnny's style often recalls the late great Danny Gatton as well as some aspects of Joe Satriani and Pat Martino.^[5] His style walks the fine line between rock, jazz, and blues, often employing copious use of the whammy bar, adding to the texture.^[6]

Johnny explains that in the studio he uses much more restraint than playing live. He says he strives to ensure his style passes the test of time. Among his musical influences, he cites The Beatles, Everly Brothers, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, Steve Howe, and Les Paul, among others.^[7]

[edit] Discography

• Sometime Tuesday Morning (1999)

Tracks:
1. Sometime Tuesday Morning
2. Oh Yeah
3. Wichita Lineman
4. Two Wheel Horse
5. In The Wind
6. Yes It Is
7. You Don't Love Me
8. Up In The Attic
9. Walk Don't Run
10. Tex Critter
11. Lullabye For Nicole
12. Walkin' West Ave.

• Sleigh Ride (CD Single)

Tracks:
1. Sleigh Ride
2. Oh Yeah

• Get Inside (2004)

Tracks:
1. Hip Bone
2. I Had To Laugh
3. Poor Side of Town
4. Sing Singin'
5. Get Inside
6. Bundle Of Joy
7. Krea Gata
8. The Wind Cries Mary
9. Ignorance Is Bliss
10. Sway A Little
11. Stimulation
12. Another Life

• Taste • Tone • Space

Instructional guitar DVD.

[edit] External links

• Official Web Site
• Johnny A. Interview - by Brian D. Holland, Modern Guitars Magazine 2006
• "Johnny A. On the fast track By Ann Wickstrom", Vintage Guitar Magazine
• ’59 Les Paul takes Johnny A. beyond screamin' rock'n' roll

[edit] References

1. ^ Johnny A. Interview
2. ^ "Johnny A.".
3. ^ "Johnny A. Official Web Site".
4. ^ Johnny A. | Archives | Reviews
5. ^ "Pop Matters".
6. ^ Joyce, Mike. "Guitarist Johnny A., Getting Everybody's Licks In", The Washington Post, Friday, April 22, 2005, p. C08. 
7. ^ A., Johnny (2005). Taste - Tone - Space (DVD). Alfred Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-7579-4075-7.