Johnny A.

Infobox musical artist
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Instrument = Guitar
Name = Johnny A.

---

Img_capt = Johnny A. playing at the Twilight Festival on June 14, 2007.
Born = c. 1952 flagicon|USAUSA
Died =
Alias =
Genre = Instrumental rock,
Jazz, Blues
Associated_acts =
Label = Favored Nations
Years_active = 1975 - Present
URL = [http://www.johnnya.com www.johnnya.com]
Notable_instruments = "Gibson Johnny A. Signature Edition"

Johnny A. is a guitarist, born in Malden, Massachusetts. [ [http://www.guitarsam.com/interviews/johnnya.htm Johnny A. Interview ] ] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.rosebudus.com/johnnya/GetInside.html|title="Johnny A."] [cite web|url=http://www.johnnya.com|title="Johnny A. Official Web Site"]

Name

Johnny says his last name (of Greek origin) was always getting mispronounced. "It's always been "Johnny A." since age eight," he says. [ [http://www.johnnya.com/archives/reviews_pough.htm Johnny A. | Archives | Reviews ] ]

tyle

Johnny's style often recalls the late great Danny Gatton as well as some aspects of Joe Satriani and Pat Martino. [cite web|url=http://www.johnnya.com/archives/reviews_popmatters.htm|title="Pop Matters"] His style walks the fine line between rock, jazz, and blues, often employing copious use of the whammy bar, adding to the texture.cite news |first=Mike |last=Joyce |authorlink= |author=Mike Joyce |coauthors= |title=Guitarist Johnny A., Getting Everybody's Licks In |url= |format= |work= |publisher=The Washington Post |id= |pages= |page=C08 |date=Friday, April 22, 2005 |accessdate= |language= |quote= ]

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.cite book
title = Taste - Tone - Space (DVD)
edition =
last = A.
first = Johnny
coauthors =
year = 2005
publisher = Alfred Publishing Co.
id = ISBN 0-7579-4075-7
pages = ]

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 • SpaceInstructional guitar DVD.

External links

* [http://www.johnnya.com/ Official Web Site]
* [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001829.html Johnny A. Interview - by Brian D. Holland, Modern Guitars Magazine 2006]
* [http://www.vintageguitar.com/artists/details.asp?ID=184 "Johnny A. On the fast track By Ann Wickstrom", Vintage Guitar Magazine]
* [http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2002/may10a.html ’59 Les Paul takes Johnny A. beyond screamin' rock'n' roll]

References