Biography
BIOGRAPHY
Johnny was born in Fairview, New Jersey. From the earliest age he always wanted to be a singer. Starting his training in opera at a young age, he was recognized as a child prodigy.
Then Johnny switched to the big band sound. And at 19 he moved to Hollywood and started up with the Rock'n'Roll scene. Johnny's first record was "So Lovable", at the age of 20. He recorded a Hit chart 45 record of "Rockin' Billy," which he performed on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Johnny had one of those very rare voices and had a remarkable fresh style of singing and sparked the interest of several different record labels. When Johnny was on the Crystalette records, he had many fan clubs in Hollywood.
After Johnny appeared on American Bandstand, Johnny met Mark Traversino at a club in Southgate, California, where he was appearing with his Band. Johnny jammed with Mark and his Band. Johnny's voice blew Mark away and he told Johnny to look him up in a couple of months, because he would be opening up his own night club, called "The Samba". Johnny worked at that club for about a year. He then went on to perform the circuit of night clubs in the Los Angeles area. Johnny continued his professional relationship with Mark for many years. They worked and wrote many songs together. Mark is Johnny's best friend to this day. Johnny toured all over the U.S. doing local T.V. Shows including Louisiana Hayride, which Elvis also performed on before Johnny. He also opened for Gene Vincent on his show, singing "Rockin' Billy" with Elvis's former Band, The Bill Black Combo. Johnny also worked with Eddy Cochran and Ritchie Valens.
Through the years, Johnny recorded for Crystalette and Luna Records. He went on to tour throughout the U.S. and Canada with many of the Top Pop Rock Stars, such as Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka. Returning to Hollywood, he worked clubs all over L.A., from Beverly Hills to the famous Sunset Strip. Then his career led him back to NY, to work the well known nightclubs: The Copacabana, El Morocco and the Latin Quarter. He also performed at the Apollo Theater, to standing ovations. Very few singing artists could make the crossover from pop music to Rock'n'Roll and R&B like Johnny could do. When Johnny was called back to perform at the Hollywood Palladium, he went back in the studio and recorded "Good, Good, Woman" and "I don't need no doctor" for Gene Norman's Crescendo Records, which was another chart record for Johnny.
He stayed in the L.A. area, where he was in great demand at all the popular hot spots in town. Major Hotel Casinos in Las Vegas, Tahoe and Reno soon beckoned Johnny to come and perform for his loving fans. In 1975 he did a recording of the James Brown song I Feel Good" with the Tonight Show Band led by Tommy Neusom with the help of the famous Jazz Pole winner, Bassist "Chubby Jackson" and his son Duffy Jackson, who was then working with Sammy Davis Jr as his Drummer.
At present, Johnny has teamed up with the fabulous Singer, Sheri Livingston. They have been doing shows, in the New York City area to rave reviews. They have been performing Coast to Coast, from New York to Las Vegas to rave reviews. This singing duo is headed to the top.
DISCOGRAPHY
Below are some of the records that Johnny Stark has recorded …
On Juvenile Jungle: "Rockin'Billy", "Drivin' Me Out Of My Mind"
On Jumpin' Jive: "Rock, Baby, Roll," "Cold Coffee."
On Hot Rockin': "I Wanna See You."
Tons of other collector CD's including: Buffalo Bop, Doghouse CD 003, Out Of Time LP 8013 USA LP 57592, Jan/Star Club CD 1979.
Below are numerous CD's Johnny has recorded on Crystalette Records. "Teenage Lovers", written by Sonny Bono of Sonny and Cher. "I wanna See You", Little Boy Blues", Rockin' Billy" and "Drivin' Me Out Of My Mind".
WHAT'S JOHNNY DOING NOW??
Johnny teamed up with Singer/Performer, Sheri Livingston.
They have been together for nine years thrilling audiences
from Coast to Coast
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