It is part of my life. I told him, Dad, you dont understand. What Happened to Johnny Jett on Barnwood Builders? Is He Alive? Some are: Brian Setzer, Larry Carlton, Deftones, Jeff Beck, Danny Gatton, James Burton, Joe Satriani, The Ventures, Modest Mouse, Chet Atkins, Robby Krieger, Al Caiola, Les Paul, The Supremes, Renee Olstead, Eric Clapton, Al Kooper & Carlos Santana, Some artists inspired by Sleep Walk: John Lennon was inspired by Sleep Walk to write Free As a Bird. 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. Rick:I hadnt realized until yesterday really that Sleep Walk actually had lyrics. I never thought about a number one record. Country and Western stars and musicians of the South Pacific held their ground with the same instrument combination. 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.Within two years, Santo was performing in amateur shows on a new Gibson six-string steel guitar and had started receiving lessons from a steel guitar teacher who had studied in Hawaii. In celebration of the songs 60thanniversary, Johnny Farina is performing a special show at New York Citys the Cutting Room on April 20. 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. I saw that and I told my brother, Some day were going to have our pictures up on a sign like that. How was the famous steel guitar melody devised? Its been in at least 30 movies. Santo & Johnny were an Italian-American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York, comprising brothers Santo and Johnny Farina. And the first time Santo and I did the Alan Freed Show in Brooklyn, New York. "Sleep Walk" also plays a role in the 1995 Terry Gilliam sci-fi film, 12 Monkeys. Johnny Farina: Absolutely. I saw on FB confirmed by family that Santo Farina has passed away at 77. Its also the song that inspired Peter Green to compose his masterwork, Albatross, and John Lennon to write Free As A Bird. He was like a crackerjack. Dream Wife on Social Lubrication and why Rock n Roll is an extreme sport. What is your favorite cover of "Sleep Walk"? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had? Time proves whats real. Even though Catarina Valente, who was an international singer, she sang it. It could be anything. He wrote home to his wife and said "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument". The song is played at the start and also near the end of the film, during a funeral for Valens. As their popularity grew locally they recorded a couple of demo tapes. Brooklyn, New York, New York, United States. He had no musical knowledge of any sort. A Village of Silver Lake resident contends a bag drop is sorely needed at the Southern Oaks golf course. Johnny's performance is an energy packed show with great memories guaranteed. This trio appeared at local dances and parties, performing both original compositions and some Hawaiian standards. It was a painting and when the paintings painted, its painted. (1959 Coney Island, New York) Because thats where I heard Sleep Walk on the radio for the first time. In 2002 Santo & Johnny were inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. 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The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. Thats what I got from that, when people ask how I wrote the song. Johnny is also the president of Aniraf, Inc., an international record company based in New York. But, it can be used for any time. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, Some music diminishes over time and fades away as new sounds and trends emerge that capture new generations with faddish sound effects, speed or unheard of complexity. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Bio - Santo & Johnny Its for any time. We wrote and recorded so many songs. Not playing on it, but playing in it. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. In time they would pull together a piece called Sleep Walk so named because when they couldnt sleep they would stay up playing and recording. The worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. In order to have the best experience, please upgrade to a more modern browser. Remember in 1929 you were on the running board of a Model T Ford and you had a stop clock in your hand and you wanted to see who had the faster car? He said, You know, Johnny, I remember that day. [12], For the band's self-titled debut album, see, Santo & Johnny, guests of the television program "Tutto pop", Turin, 1972, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Johnny Farina bringing musical talent to 'Original Lead Singers' show", "The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame (list of inductees)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santo_%26_Johnny&oldid=1149134047, Produttori Associati/Canadian-American 7054, This page was last edited on 10 April 2023, at 11:29. Its like play it or PLAY it. george nadara, Jun 8, 2016 #2 Im sure glad we used it. It was the last instrumental to hit #1 in the 1950s and earned Santo & Johnny a gold record. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Santo & Johnny Johnny Farina: I dont think so. Tony Farina looked at his son and said: Johnny, the only stars are in the sky. 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. Theres a version of Sleep Walk. Tweet With money Santo made from these performances, he bought a Fender steel guitar, one with three necks, each with eight strings. 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. Couldnt sleep one night after a gig, and came up with the melody. It was tough doing a follow-up to that kind of success, Johnny said. There are several covers of Sleep Walk by rock groups. 1 position for two weeks during September 1959,[3] and earned a Gold record for Santo & Johnny. 1 hit single by Santo & Johnny is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary and the song's legacy continues to grow. Johnny Farina:The Iridiums kind of small, and he had a small dressing room. Santo & Johnny / Johnny Farina - Facebook Santo and Johnny are inductees into the Italy Music Hall of Fame and the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. 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. 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. Rick: The song came out in 59, right? So he bought one for his sons, along with a tape recorder. Johnny Farina Interview: PART TWO. Im sitting with Les. Santo and Johnny split up the act during the mid-1970s. They also did all the cover records for the James Bond films.In 1965 they released an LP of Beatles songs. WayOutWardell, Jun 8, 2016 #1 george nadara Forum Resident Location: USA "Sleepwalk," the #1 hit with Santo playing steel guitar and brother Johnny on electric guitar. The worst, so far no worst time in my career. The Strange Dave Show made me laugh. He looks at this note and shows it to me and it said, Hi, Les. We left Trinity with such excitement, twoBrooklyn brothers are going to be rich and famous. One of the first covers was by Betsy Brye (stage name of Bette Anne Steele) in 1959. I think that characterized him. Sleep Walk: Santo & Johnny; Jeff Beck; Les Paul - Tim's Cover Story I never forgot the day that my brother and I were walking in front of our parents. Cause & Effects: Compression is it for guitarists or producers. For those who don't know, Peter Green was inspired by this tune to write his worldwide it "ALBATROSS". I must play every day. Also in 1999 a version of "Sleep Walk" by Brian Setzer earned the song a Grammy Award for best instrumental of 1999. The feel, they dont have it. Hed get up late. Johnny Farina bringing musical talent to 'Original Lead Singers' show He said no. If I dont play every day, there is something not right about the day for me. Affiliate programs and In Italy in 2012, performing The Godfather (Ill Padrino) with a 23 piece orchestra, live. [2], 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. How has the music industry changed over the years? What do you miss most nowadays from the past? Additionally, Johnny sat down with Guitar World to talk about the iconic song and its enduring influence. It was kind of early and I said, Whos this? The guy said, This is Les. I said, Les who? He said, What the hells the matter with you? Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. They looked for souvenirs, and stole the hubcaps off my fathers 51 Buick. Johnny Farina took that advice to heart. We have estimated 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. Next thing you know, Sleep Walk, went to No. Our dad, Tony Farina, came home from work one day and said to Santo and me as we were practicing, Play that song that you played the other day. We didn't remember the song he wanted to hear! They worked these 14 years playing clubs and casinos all over Europe. What are you waiting for. He is from USA. 8 talking about this. He said, I must describe your playing as the way Frank Sinatra would sing. That was good. The brothers wrote a song one night when they "couldn't sleep after playing a gig, and started jamming. In reply to: Santo and Johnny Farina. They put the 45 on and its Betsy Brice singing Sleep Walk. In 1973 they recorded "The Godfather" movie theme. I apparently can't post links yet, but that page tells how their father, in the Army at the time, wanted the boys to learn how to play steel. [4] [5] Their father was drafted into the Army while they were children and was stationed for some time in Oklahoma. 1999 was a great year for "Sleep Walk", it earned BMI's Millionaires Award symbolizing 2 million airplays on the radio. Santo & Johnny were now International artists. 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. They did their own thing on it. When I make that stroke, I wouldnt think about it, I would just do it. I really enjoyed this interview. "Sleep Walk" continues to be popular owing to consistent radio airplay as well as its usage for commercials, television programs, and movies. Thank you so very much. What do you recall about recording the song at Trinity Music? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nPJcvJ3vQ I hope people start to get back into songs that have strong melodies, and great chord changes. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny (Two brothers from Brooklyn) Sleep Walk hit the airwaves in 1959, and added a new sound to Rock 'n' Roll, a steel guitar as the lead instrument, unheard of at that time, an instrument associated with country and Hawaiian music used in the background. 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. Alvino Rey, and my father was also inspired by the background players of Hank Williams. Johnny Farina and his brother would build long lasting music careers that would endure for decades. 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. I had a girl sing it and it was really good. It was the last #1 instrumental of the 50's and earned them a Gold Record. Its still gonna stand. 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). I actually thought if they came out with a vocal version, who knows, maybe Lady Gaga might do it. Johnny Farina: Ironically, when I was a kid, I never forgot that my father bought us a guitar, a steel guitar. The early years when Sleep Walk became #1. The second part, to play well, it has a feel to it. I listened to vocalist Betty Anne Steeles version of it, which I thought was really good. After hearing a steel guitar by radio, he wrote to his wife, "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument". Santo and Johnny had a few more hits, such as Tear Drop, Caravan, and All Night Diner.