He used to listen to country and western. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwfqsjimRM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nPJcvJ3vQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODIvONHPqpk. Johnny Farina: Yes, you have to feel it. 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. Tweet He was a genius. Its been in so, so many movies. Whatever Happened to Santo Farina ? : The Steel Guitar Forum 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. That was the same year that Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens passed away? Santo & Johnny were an American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York. I think theres such magic in music. Johnny Farina: New York Walkin' The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. We will update Johnny Farina's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Steel Guitarist, Johnny Farina, Talks About Sleep Walk, Les Paul, The 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! Bath Turn the radio on and listen how it changed. Thats the feeling I have with Sleep Walk. I think perhaps the most impact that it had for me was when it was used in La Bamba, when they had the funeral scene at the end. Nowadays, Johnny flies solo, however, and its changed his approach. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. To move off into a slightly different direction, would you say the song is easy to play but its not necessarily easy to play well? But despite this lack of wider acclaim, Johnny Farina is still going strong to this day, and despite his brother retiring nearly 50 years ago, the 80-year-old still travelling around the world wowing fans (pandemic permitting) with the chops he and his brother first learned at his father's behest. Facebook Upon its original release, the song hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the brothers a gold record award. I would look at him and always thought of him as, I know he was getting up there in age, but he always played. Robert. , money, salary, income, and assets. 1 position for two weeks during September 1959,[3] and earned a Gold record for Santo & Johnny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nPJcvJ3vQ Still touring and keeping Sleep Walk alive! Do you remember me?, There were a few other names on the note that were signed. During the conversation, he said, When youre tickets up, youre tickets up. I laughed at that, and he looked at me and said, Thats not funny. Then he just looked at me. The Farina brothers began to gather fans from Brooklyn to Long Island. But when it was the two of us, Santo played steel and I played a Gretsch or Fender six-string.. JOHNNY FARINA -- "SLEEP WALK" - YouTube They recorded a demo which they circulated to local New York record companies.In 1958, Mike Dee & The Mello Tones (Santo Farina, steel guitar; Johnny Farina, guitar and their uncle Mike Dee, drums) recorded a self-penned instrumental which they called "Deep Sleep". They also had their own TV Show in Italy. Their father was drafted into the Army while they were children and was stationed for some time in Oklahoma. Santo & Johnny were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2002. We stopped there on one of our trips and he said, Oh, listen. 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. People are more educated today. Musician/band. Even though Catarina Valente, who was an international singer, she sang it. Which is the most interesting period in your life? 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? In 1959, Santo & Johnny hit the charts with the most unique guitar instrumental of all time. We wrote and recorded so many songs. 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. 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. "Sleep Walk" entered Billboard's 'Top 40' on August 17, 1959. Guitar great Carlton on how a 60-year-old song, Sleep Walkchanged his life twice, and why Johnny Farina is still playing this timeless classic that influenced everyone from Peter Green to John Lennon. What is your favorite cover of "Sleep Walk"? By the age of fourteen, Santo was composing songs, and formed an instrumental trio with a guitarist and drummer. Id get the brush and just dip it in the paint. That was it. Johnny continues to perform all over the world! For those who don't know, Peter Green was inspired by this tune to write his worldwide it "ALBATROSS". "Sleep Walk" also plays a role in the 1995 Terry Gilliam sci-fi film, 12 Monkeys. Thats one movie that Ill never forget how it was used. Santo and Johnny split up the act during the mid-1970s. Bo Diddley, playing a violin backstage in his shorts at The Alan Freed Show in Brooklyn, New York. Santo is semi-retired and Johnny currently[when?] (1959 Coney Island, New York) Because thats where I heard Sleep Walk on the radio for the first time. 1 in 1959 and remains one of the most iconic songs of all-time. A version by Brian Setzer received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1998. Its been documented that when American DJ Alan Freed heard Sleep Walk for the first time he supposedly said this song is never going to die, and he was right. Their first release in 1959 was "Sleep Walk" which was written by Santo & Johnny. Yeah, I do remember that.. Hes also moving a new album for the holidays, Christmas Mine. It was Tony Farina who introduced the steel guitar to his sons, Santo and Johnny. For more information and to purchase tickets, head here. Johnny's performance is an energy packed show with great memories guaranteed. Its for any time. Im not sure why we started talking about it. It earned them a Gold Record and they went on to tour the world. He wrote home to his wife and said "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument". When Johnny turned 16, he told their father that they would be quitting school to pursue a career as "rock stars", to which their father responded "The only stars are in the sky."[7]. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and It had a magnetic appeal during a time when there began a tectonic shift from the sax to the guitar as the solo instrument of choice for a new generation of musicians. With money Santo made from these performances, he bought a Fender steel guitar, one with three necks, each with eight strings. Currently, Santo has retired from touring, while Johnny Farina is still on the road with his own band. Santo and Johnny Farina were born in Brooklyn, New York; Santo on October 24, 1937 and Johnny on April 30, 1941. It reached Billboard magazine's No. It rose to the No. Still touring and keeping Sleep Walk alive! Let's take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day ..? The Genius Of Below the Lights by Enslaved. That was good. I am german and italian (sicilian). I never forgot the day that my brother and I were walking in front of our parents. where steel players meet online. And he was a nice man. As a subscriber enjoy big savings off the shop price! But, it can be used for any time. He had that feel about him. Im not saying that the notes are wrong. Father bought us a six-string Gibson lap steel along with a small Gibson amplifier so we took a few lessons then started to learn and write our own songs too. Guitar International Magazine All rights reserved. Report an Issue | UPDATE!!! Steel guitarist Santo Farina is still with us : The Steel Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bio - Santo & Johnny It could be Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. Additionally, Johnny sat down with Guitar World to talk about the iconic song and its enduring influence. Dad was in the army and he heard what he thought was Hawaiian or steel guitars on the radio and loved that sound, Johnny says, So he wrote home to our mother saying hed like the boys to learn to play. At the beginning of our conversation, I asked if hed ever met Les Paul, who had covered Sleep Walk and our conversation turned to the interview. 1, he said. Tim Kring's 'Heroes' which aired on NBC also featured "Sleep Walk" playing on a record in a diner, from the episode '1961'.Santo & Johnny were inducted into The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2002. Johnny Farina: Out of all the people who sang it, she captured it. 3/25/01. 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. Its real. The whole chord structure is changed and everything. He is not dating anyone. Johnny Farina was 16, when he and his brother, Santo, released the all-time classic instrumental, Sleep Walk. Santo & Johnny / Johnny Farina - Facebook Johnny Farina and his brother would build long lasting music careers that would endure for decades. The Big Review: Blackstar Amped 3 Has Blackstar finally hit amp pedal perfection? Record companies didnt know what to make of it. Sleep Walk reached #1 on the charts and earned them a Gold Record. Santo & Johnny were now International artists. So, how much is Johnny Farina worth at the age of 82 years old? Posts Tagged. this can result in this site earning a commission. They actually want to use the vocal version which I was really surprised at. Somehow the future of music seems to be in a total different direction where the melody is very hard to find. In reply to: Santo and Johnny Farina. Thats the way you sing. What a compliment that was. Rick Landers: Yeah, he was wonderful. By the age of fourteen, Santo was composing songs, and formed an instrumental trio with a guitarist and drummer. Its so special to me, because Sleep Walk became my life, and to know it was never an oldie, or doo-wop, and can connect with any time. The Beatles, especially George Harrison, were big fans of Sleep Walk. Harrison once released a song called Marwa Blues which was influenced by Sleep Walk. A John Lennon song, Free As A Bird, also bears resemblance to the soft, slide steel guitar sound of Farinas record. Re: Santo and Johnny Farina - Genealogy.com 11 guitarists who shaped Derek Trucks' sound, Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DCs Back in Black like youve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm n blues reimagining, How Jeff Beck passed the Telecaster torch to Jimmy Page and changed the course of rock history, Nuno Bettencourt says Prince once called him one of the top three guitar players in the world, Watch two bassists shred-off using Tosin Abasi's selective picking technique. Sgt. It was the last #1 instrumental of the 50's and earned them a Gold Record. I hear a lot of steel guys playing it and they just play it. Santo and Johnny Farina are brothers. When he returned from the war they searched out to a man who could get them started with the steel. Diana Ross actually sang it. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by WayOutWardell, Jun 8, 2016. I call it my Christmas feel. Its been in at least 30 movies. 2023 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. This was an early call. He had no musical knowledge of any sort. He wanted us to play it. In celebration of the song's 60th anniversary, Johnny Farina is performing a special show at New York City's the Cutting Room on April 20. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from the music circuits? Johnny Farina plays Savannah Center Thursday with Rocky and the Rollers. (10 years ago), Robert You can e-mail Johnny at: zzzwalk@optonline.net Best Regards, Rick. When I play the steel guitar, it becomes part of me, and I become part of the instrument, Johnny said. Rick:When I was listening to Sleep Walk yesterday I know that its been in several movie scores it caught my attention that the song can be either very romantic and the same song can also be very haunting. www.santoandjohnny.com. 7 talking about this. He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 82 years old group. 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[3], At present,[when?] After hearing a steel guitar on the radio, he wrote to his wife, "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument".Upon returning from World War II, the boys' father found a music teacher who gave the boys steel guitar lessons. What do you miss most nowadays from the past? The second part, to play well, it has a feel to it. Sleep Walkhas twice had an impact on my life, says Larry Carlton the session legend would go on to be heavily associated with the song, having recorded a hugely popular version of it himself in the 80s. That tune, in turn, then influenced the Beatles on their own "Sun King.". It was recorded at Trinity Records in Manhattan. I believe the best way to describe the Santo & Johnny Farina sound, is as a very intimate and sensual steel guitar sound. There on the radio he heard this beautiful music, it was the sound of the steel guitar. I changed the chord structure as I did in my Christmas CD. Sleep Walkwas later leased to the Canadian-American label, and before they knew it, Santo & Johnny were on their way to the top of the charts and a gold disc for their first ever recording! The brothers eventually came to the attention of a music publishing company and signed a songwriter's contract and eventually landed a recording contract with Canadian-American Records. I would have to say Larry Carlton is my favorite cover of Sleep Walk. When Sleep Walk was released it was a strange brew of steel guitar and six-string, not because the two instruments were never entwined before. It was just a natural thing that happened to us. Cause & Effects: Compression is it for guitarists or producers. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. I was 16 and my brother was 19. The worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. And its stature has only grown over the years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rwfqsjimRM Theyre like a monument, like the Colosseum. My brotherand I brought the steel guitar into rock and roll, Johnny said. Johnny apparently has a Website, santoandjohnny.com, but there seems to be scant mention of Santo (by name) on there, including the "bio" page. The Farina brothers would garner a #1 hit and gold record in Italy for their recording of The Godfather theme, a #1 hit in Mexico with an instrumental of The Beatles now classic, And I Love Her, as well as be honored to see Brian Setzer gather up a Grammy Award for his version of Sleep Walk. "And I Love Her" hit the #1 spot and held it for 21 weeks in Mexicoandthey received The Golden Kangaroo Award for it in Mexico. The brothers werent satisfied to rest on their laurels and would release duet and solo albums to keep the flame alive. Years ago, I actually did a version of Sleep Walk operatic style. So he bought one for his sons, along with a tape recorder. Do you know what Im saying? Its going to be a good show and Rocky has a great band., Here is how Santo and Johnny looked playing Sleep Walk on the Dick Clark nighttime show. actually, can you recommend any? The two brothers wrote it one night, when they couldnt sleep after playing a gig, and started jamming. They know when to take a breath. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 80 years old? Are there any memories from recording and show time with Santo and Johnny which you'd like to share with us? [Both laughing]. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. After many, many years, I got my publishing back. Hohnny of Santo & Johnny keep his magical steel guitar sound alive performing as a solo artist throughout the country. Santo & Johnny were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2002. When did you know you had a hit? Johnny Farina:The Iridiums kind of small, and he had a small dressing room. Johnny Farina: Yes, in 28 years it reverted back. In no time, TV shows clamoured for their appearances as Santo and Johnny became stars on American Bandstandand The Perry Como Show. I recorded this at The Cutting Room June 8 2013 (NYC). He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name. If Johnny is still alive, there could be children, even grandchildren. How does it feel to have a song you wrote and recorded 60 years ago still be so well known and beloved today? This allowed him to experiment even more, and he tried different tunings until he found ones that appealed to him. While Santo & Johnny wrote lyrics for "Sleep Walk", they never recorded a lyrical version, but Betsy Brye's version included these lyrics. Johnny Farina: Ironically, when I was a kid, I never forgot that my father bought us a guitar, a steel guitar. 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. It just happened as we were creating original melodies. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. In addition to a new version of "Sleepwalk" Johnny summons up some . In Italy in 2012, performing The Godfather (Ill Padrino) with a 23 piece orchestra, live. Santo & Johnny "Sleep Walk" Watch on R.I.P. The brothers soon formed a duo and became rather popular in school, eventually performing at events in the New York boroughs. It has been covered multiple times by such artists as Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Joe Satriani, Les Paul, the Ventures, Brian Setzer and Larry Carlton. It was such a touching, moving thing. The brothers wrote a song one night when they "couldn't sleep after playing a gig, and started jamming. Here is Carlton playing with Johnny on steel guitar: For me, the most important thing is the music. Wed fool around with melodies. 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. He said, Well, listen. Upon its original release, the song hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the brothers a gold record award. Santo and I were on the road and when we came back to the office a lot of times we would stop at the office instead of going home we would see what was going on with our manager. My Grandfather, Joe, used to talk to Santo all the time on the phone when he was still alive and I was young. Why not cover it with a vocal and get really good mileage out of it? "Sleep Walk" was used throughout the 1992 Stephen King film, Sleepwalkers. Years later, they formed a band, playing at church dances, weddings and clubs. I cant wait to get back to Florida, I havent been there for 10 years, Farina said. Ive never stopped playing. Johnny Farina: Absolutely. In a Letter to the Editor, a Bushnell resident writes that The Villages and its residents could care less about the locals in Sumter County. I listened to vocalist Betty Anne Steeles version of it, which I thought was really good. It was he who suggested I recorded a cover of Sleep Walk. Sleep Walk also keeps popping up in movies, and has been used in about 40 films, Farina said. Sleep Walk migrated the sound to the pop and early rock genre of the day, and in its own way, introduced the sound to a budding audience of young listeners and guitar players. Years later, they formed a band, playing at church dances, weddings and clubs. 1 position for two weeks in September (the 21st and the 28th) and remained in the 'Top 40' list until November 9. Affiliate programs and 1, released on his Aniraf label. When I make that stroke, I wouldnt think about it, I would just do it. Can you tell our readers what you are up to musically these days? Santo would play steel guitar with Johnny accompanying him on traditional six-string, and that tape deck enabled the brothers to keep track of their compositions. Johnny Farina's net worth We signed to Trinity Music and part of the deal was that they would get the publishing. Sleep Walk has been recorded by over 100 artists. One day Johnny decided to try a music publishing company and there is where the history of "Sleep Walk" started, they signed a song writer's contracts which later on lead them to Canadian American Records. He was like a crackerjack. Santo Farina (Santo & Johnny) RIP | Steve Hoffman Music Forums my knowledge other than that one is pretty poor. Until, Sleep Walk, the steel guitar was mostly used in country music, and some blues. Eventually, dad bought a tape recorder and encouraged us to record whenever we rehearsed or played. What are you waiting for. Ill just try to remember some of the movies that go from one end of the spectrum to the other, like Eddie and the Cruisers or from a 50s movie to a futuristic like 12 Monkeys. Rick: Yeah, he had a great sense of timing. Their first release, "Sleep Walk", was credited as being composed by the two brothers plus Santo's wife, Ann,[8] although Johnny later said that her name was put on by mistake. Im not gonna even say that. Powered by, Badges | They didnt try to copy the original. I saw on FB confirmed by family that Santo Farina has passed away at 77. We looked at him and didnt understand it. Johnny Farina Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family We didnt realize that they wanted to get more mileage out of the song. Its a small musical miracle that emotionally resonates to this day. A regular guitar has frets, a steel guitar you must make the frets with a steel bar, and also has different tunings, and some steel guitars have more strings. Rick, could you help me directing me on hot to go about obtaining permission to use sleepwalk (Santo and Johnny) for a TV ad? Also in 1999 a version of "Sleep Walk" by Brian Setzer earned the song a Grammy Award for best instrumental of 1999. [4], 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. I told him, Dad, you dont understand. Johnny Farina Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Country and Western stars and musicians of the South Pacific held their ground with the same instrument combination. It lends itself to a lot of different genre of movies, dont you think? Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny - Christmas Mine - Amazon.com Music The Farina brothers, Santo & Johnny, were born in Brooklyn, New York. The first time it impacted me was as a 12-year-old attending local dances like all kids did. It was the last #1 instrumental of the 50's and earned them a Gold Record. Sleep Walk has been in over 28 movies, including La Bamba the day the music NOW Sleep Walk celebrates its 60th Anniversary and is stronger than ever, with its latest use being in Martin Scorseses The Irishman. April 30, 1941 - Johnny Farina - YouTube It was the last instrumental to hit #1 in the 1950s and earned Santo & Johnny a gold record. CD/DVD Reviews - MWE3 They received a Gold Record for it in Italy and were inducted into the Hall of Fame in Italy as well.Santo & Johnnywere nowInternational artists. Their first release, "Sleep Walk", was composed by the two brothers. The Farina brothers began to gather fans from Brooklyn to Long Island. Im sitting with Les. The boys were young when their Dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Oklahoma. So he said, You guys are writing good songs and are losing them. With that, he bought us a Webcor tape recorder and said, Record everything you do. We would start a melody, and do as much as we could, then start another one, then go back to the first one a day or two later. He looks at this note and shows it to me and it said, Hi, Les. Sleep Walk has become such a classic, and was said to have inspired both Fleetwood Macs Albatross and, indirectly, the Beatles Sun King. Over the years did you ever hear from any of the artists who were inspired by your song? How do you describe Johnny Farina sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy? 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.
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