When I spoke with him last, we started talking about death a little bit. Santo, October 24, 1937 and Johnny, April 30, 1941. Do you believe in the existence of real music nowadays? What do you recall about recording the song at Trinity Music? I was talking to some of them and said, You know, you guys play more notes in one song than I play all year. [Laughing]. 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 don't know how legal it was at the time or if it still holds up. 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 Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. Which was the best and worst moment of your career? Re: Santo and Johnny Farina - Genealogy.com That was the same year that Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens passed away? Also in 1999 a version of "Sleep Walk" by Brian Setzer earned the song a Grammy Award for best instrumental of 1999. 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. I was 16 and my brother was 19. 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. 1 position for two weeks during September 1959,[3] and earned a Gold record for Santo & Johnny. 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. When Johnny reached the age of twelve, he began to play accompaniment to Santo on a standard electric guitar. 2023 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name. It is part of my life. Robert. Help Search Join Private Messages Log in Search Join Private Messages Log in The guy would actually blow a smoke ring across Broadway. Interview: Johnny Farina on 60 Years of the Iconic Instrumental, "Sleep Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. Santo and Johnny split up the act during the mid-1970s. 1, released on his Aniraf label. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by WayOutWardell, Jun 8, 2016. 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. Johnny Farina bringing musical talent to 'Original Lead Singers' show affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and "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. Santo and Johnny Farina are brothers. Johnny Farina of Santo & Johnny. Next thing you know, Sleep Walk, went to No. 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. He is from USA. Still touring and keeping Sleep Walk alive! 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. Rick: The song came out in 59, right? They were in their late 80s. They also had their own TV Show in Italy.Johnny has kept the magical steel guitar sound alive performing as a solo artist all over the country since the early 70's.Appearances include The Greek Theater in California, The Paramount Theater in NYC, They Hollywood Casino in Mississippi, Ruth Echard Hall in Florida, The Continental Arena/The Meadowlands in New Jersey, The Philharmonic Center in Naples, Florida, The Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, Madison Square Garden in NYC, Harrahs in Las Vegas, etc.1999 was a great year for "Sleep Walk", it earned BMI's Millionaires Award symbolizing 2 million airplays on the radio. , money, salary, income, and assets. (1959 Coney Island, New York) Because thats where I heard Sleep Walk on the radio for the first time. Get the latest news, reviews and features to your inbox. Brian Setzer won a Grammy for his big band version of Sleep Walk,and he took it in a totally different direction. I just knew that we were going to be famous. Their first release in 1959 was "Sleep Walk" which was written by Santo & Johnny. All rights reserved. "[7] The song was "Sleep Walk" and during September 1959 it scored at the top of the American charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nPJcvJ3vQ So he bought one for his sons, along with a tape recorder. 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. Accept. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our cookie privacy policy. Youre right, the first part. "Sleep Walk" also plays a role in the 1995 Terry Gilliam sci-fi film, 12 Monkeys. I was totally taken by so many steel guitar players, one after another, would just come up and just play. Santo & Johnny were an American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York. He was a genius. Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? Johnny Farina Interview: PART TWO. Bo Diddley, playing a violin backstage in his shorts at The Alan Freed Show in Brooklyn, New York. They actually want to use the vocal version which I was really surprised at. It lends itself to a lot of different genre of movies, dont you think? He owned Trinity Music and became our manager. Read his Letter to the Editor. Is santo farina dead or alive? - Answers Johnny has kept the magical steel guitar sound alive performing as a solo artist all over the country since the early 70's. Or Brian Setzer the way he did it. I call it my Christmas feel. Thats the feeling I have with Sleep Walk. Johnny is also president of a record company called Aniraf, Inc (yep, that's "Farina" spelled backwards). CD/DVD Reviews - MWE3 They also had their own TV Show in Italy. 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. UPDATE!!! Steel guitarist Santo Farina is still with us : The Steel His name was Ed Burton. Also in 1999 a version of "Sleep Walk" by Brian Setzer earned the song a Grammy Award for best instrumental of 1999. 8 talking about this. Sleep Walk also keeps popping up in movies, and has been used in about 40 films, Farina said. But, it never really took off. 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. 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. Thats what I got from that, when people ask how I wrote the song. We have estimated He used to listen to country and western. The Farina brothers began to gather fans from Brooklyn to Long Island. This was the signature song for SANTO & JOHNNY. He is currently single. Their father was drafted into the Army while they were children and was stationed for some time in Oklahoma. 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. Additionally, Johnny sat down with Guitar World to talk about the iconic song and its enduring influence. Santo & Johnny were now International artists. I saw on FB confirmed by family that Santo Farina has passed away at 77. Initially Sleep Walk was met with rejections as the hitmakers were only interested in doo-wop music at this point, but they eventually scored success with a publisher instead, Trinity Music. Santo, October 24, 1937 and Johnny, April 30, 1941. That was good. People kept sending little notes back to his dressing room. The early years when Sleep Walk became #1. Dream Wife on Social Lubrication and why Rock n Roll is an extreme sport. Tony Farina looked at his son and said: Johnny, the only stars are in the sky. Feature Other Events July 27-29, 2023 - Towne Square Community Center, Winchester, IN September 21-23, 2023 - Odd Fellows Lodge, Cupertino, CA No secret, we played it from our heart, not from a book or music lessons. 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. 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'd be 77 now. It took us over a year to get Sleep Walk, recorded., The song took off, Johnny said, after famed DJ Alan Freed started playing it in New York City. Years later, they formed a band, playing at church dances, weddings and clubs. We signed to Trinity Music and part of the deal was that they would get the publishing. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, In 1959, Santo & Johnny hit the charts with the most unique guitar instrumental of all time. When it became a monster smash, the family had to move out of Brooklyn. It was their first proper recording, but full of youthful confidence, Johnny set off to New Yorks famous Brill Building to hawk the tune to the composers and lyricists that made the building famous. When people ask me a question, How did you feel when that song was created? or What made you guys write that song? The best way I feel I can describe it is, if I were to be painting a portrait. Santo and Johnny had a few more hits, such as Tear Drop, Caravan, and All Night Diner. Upon its original release, the song hit Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the brothers a gold record award. Obviously were gonna talk about Sleep Walk because its been such a pivotal record in your career and your life. What are the secrets of sound of the steel guitar? Thank you so very much. It was the last #1 instrumental of the 50's and earned them a Gold Record. Hanging proudly on his wall, Johnny has 2 Gold Records, one for "Sleep Walk" and on for "The Godfather". This is an UnsteadyCam Production. Turn on your computer and see whats on the screen. He sent me a picture of him and me hugging.