Johnny Puleo

Johnny Puleo (October 7, 1907 - May 3, 1983) was an American musician and actor, who specialized in playing the harmonica.

He performed in front of such notables as the Royal Command in England and the Presidents of the United States and France. In addition to his mastery of the harmonica, he was a past master of the art of pantomime and a dramatic actor of considerable ability.

Puleo was one of the very first performers to introduce America to using the zip code. In the commercial he would climb up a little ladder and say "now remember, use your zip code" as he'd point to a letter going into the mail box.

Born a dwarf in Washington, DC (he stood 4 feet 6 inches or 1.37 meters as an adult), he worked as a newspaper seller until being discovered at a contest in Boston held by bandleader Borrah Minnevitch, of The Harmonica Rascals. Soon he joined a comedy variety act, during which time he learned the art of pantomime that has contributed so much to his success. He then joined the Rascals, with whom he toured the world.

In 1941 Johnny tried to leave the Rascals and start his own group. The entire new group moved in with Johnny's parents, living and rehearsing in the basement. It did not last long, though, because Borrah Minevitch found them and got them working for him again.

After Minevitch's death in 1955, Puleo formed his own band, The Harmonica Gang. He recorded various albums with the Gang and solo on the Audio Fidelity label, as well as acting in several films, most notably "Trapeze".

The Harmonica Gang appeared at top super clubs throughout USA, including the famous “Latin Quarter” in New York and Miami Beach; The “Riviera” in Las Vegas; “Palmer House” in Chicago; “The Roosevelt” in New Orleans and “Twin Coaches” in Pittsburgh and venues like the Moulin Rouge and London Palladium overseas. Although the entire band was extremely talented, it was Johnny who made it work: a wonderful performer and a giant of a man.

Puleo made numerous appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Hollywood Palace", and made his last professional appearance on "SCTV" the year before his death.

Johnny also appeared in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he met local band leader Conrad Johns ( http://www.conradjohnsband.com/ )and upon meeting Puleo, Connie's 5 year old son Steven said "Hey, I'm as tall as you." Johnny just smiled andsaid, "And that's as tall as you're ever going to get if you keep crackin' jokes like this."

He died of a heart attack at Holy Cross Hospital in his native Washington D.C. in 1983. He was certainly one of themost important figures in the history of the harmonica.