My father was married twice. Both marriages were VERY brief. One marriage was to a woman named Stephanie (his high school sweetheart) in the late 60s, and the other was to a woman named Sunni, in the mid 70s. Both marriages only lasted about a year. In about 1977, my father met my mother, Lynne. They never married, but remained together and madly in love until his last breath. I think my father would want that on the record.
Brie, To add accuracy to some facts of which you are obviously unaware, and also because I agree with you that our dear John "would want (all truth) on record", I have decided to respond to your recent post.
First let me write here that we ALL LOVE and LOVED John!
I know that Stephanie loved John and it is why she married him! And though they divorced closer to 3 years following; Stephanie's love for John, I think, should not have been minimized by you, dear. More to follow!
Also so you'll know, I loved John, my husband too! And I think that if you are going to count the years that your mother was with John while "unmarried", to him, you should also please not discount my years with John that we "remained together", before we actually "legally", married! Our, almost seven years, was certainly not "VERY brief", to me!
Your statement; "Both marriages only lasted about a year", was untrue for both Stephanie and I, Brie, as you minimized both. It hurt!
For the record, I was hurt by your mention of me as only being " the other (marriage) was to a woman named Sunni, in the mid seventies", without your even mentioning that your dear, brother, Shaun was a bless-ed gift of that marriage even though your mother's were different! Seems you made more than 1 "slight", Brie!
You wouldn't have known that we desperately tried for almost a year before I was able to become pregnant; but to not even mention Shaun in regard to even just you?
Suffice it to say, there is much about your dad's "wives", and also about where he and your mom "remained", that you don't know and which I do know because I was there! "In about 1977, my father met, etc". Did you hear that "In about 1977", from your mom or dad?!
Lastly, I think it wrong of you, for obvious reasons, to have tried to minimize John's "legal", wives in comparison to your mother's relationship with John -- especially when we've each lost OUR John, whom we ALL loved!
I just heard about him from a friend, Evan Sneider. I found this on youtube and all I can say is WOW. I could listen to John O'Banion all day long. His voice is a work of art. Beautiful. Rest in Peace.
You're right, guess I have to admit my age and admit I had forgotten the exact year (it's been awhile). I'm sorry for Sunni's loss and hope their son has just as much talent.
I had the fortune of being engaged to John O'Banion in the late 70's. Met him as a young model in Seattle at a show, went to New York a few months later to marry him...but changed my mind because I didn't want to live in NY (young & foolish) For some reason, after all these years, I wondered how he was and found this site. He was a great talent, person and performer. This is a sad day. He will be missed.
John became Doc's "Featured" singer in 1965. John signed a seven year contract w/ Doc's Manager then too. John married his 1st wife just before he signed the contracts. John 1st wife asked John for a divorce less than three and a half years later at the beginning of 1969. It was in process when we met that year.
Do you know John's "middle" name? If "engaged", you should know. John's sister's name? His folk's names? His first wife's name? How about his BF?
Saw John first time ever on a movie called the "Judas Project". I was moved and touched by his performance. I talked with James Barden, creator of the Judas Project. He said John O'banion showed up for a small part in the movie, but when James saw his eyes and certain look he knew he had found the main character (Jesse). I think John did a great job despite only acting in a couple of movies.
I'll miss you John, sorry to hear about your death. I hope to meet you in heaven. God Bless.
TY for the compliments. They were very kind and appreciated!
There are many times in life that can be wonderful,BH, seek to find the "positives" & "possibilities" in, & through life. We all, it seems, have hard times in life in "getting" the lessons we need to learn. There is always a NEW day, Hon! THAT seems to me to be what life is all about. God bless you! I hope that it gets better for you in everyway! Have a HAPPY New Year!
I saw John on JC for the first time! The most gorgeous & talented man man I've ever seen (or known)! I said to myself, "I'm going to marry that man!", & a few short years later I did.
Together we were blessed to have the most wonderful & BEST son ever! I love you Shaun!
There was no "one" singer/ entertainer EVER, with more talent than your Dad, Sweetheart!
My thoughts & prayers will forever be with him! All who knew John miss him. I know I do! I miss all the good memories we shared!
I recall that in the late sixties, I saw Johnny o banion on the carson show and I immediately thought " That is the most georgeous face I've ever seen." I believe the carson show was still in NY because I tried to see if I could locate Johnny O Banion in NY. I had never done anything like that before. I am now 61 and still remember his name after all these years. I am so sad to hear he died. He was so georgeous and talented.
This was the show I saw that made me fall in love with John saying to myself "I'm going to marry that man!" and I did! I miss him more than anyone could ever know or understand!
Together we were blessed with the BEST son ever!
There's NEVER been a better singer or entertainer EVER!
I measured John's range once. He could clearly hit with full vibrato and without falsetto over three octaves. I'll be posting his impressions of everyone I have on tape (which is far from all he could do) from Robert Goulet to Johnny Mathis to Bobby Vinton. John could do literally a dead-on impression of virtually anyone he heard, not only the style of speach, but tone and inflection.
Hello, and thanks for the reply to my original comment about knowing and dating (briefly) John. You are probably right about the year I met him...it's been so long I couldn't remember the year exactly. I started modeling in 69 and met him somewhere between that time and when I also got married in 75 to someone else. Your're right also about John's beautiful voice and range...sometimes the 'best' talents slip by us, and then they're gone. It's a loss to us all.
Wow. Can't believe I was unaware of this guy, and can't believe he didn't have the huge career he so obvioulsy deserved... in Vegas if not worldwide... not just a terrific instrument, but impeccable musicianship, taste and soul... what a loss he's not with us anymore. Thanks for posting.
Hi there, I'm so glad to have stumbled upon John O'Banion on youtube...I'm a huge fan of his...but I only have 2 of his albums. I'm hoping you have the song 'Inside This Heart Of Mine'..have been looking for that album (Close-up) for years but to no avail. Can you kindly help? thanks
My father was married twice. Both marriages were VERY brief. One marriage was to a woman named Stephanie (his high school sweetheart) in the late 60s, and the other was to a woman named Sunni, in the mid 70s. Both marriages only lasted about a year. In about 1977, my father met my mother, Lynne. They never married, but remained together and madly in love until his last breath. I think my father would want that on the record.
OBANION79 4 months ago
@OBANION79
Brie, To add accuracy to some facts of which you are obviously unaware, and also because I agree with you that our dear John "would want (all truth) on record", I have decided to respond to your recent post.
First let me write here that we ALL LOVE and LOVED John!
I know that Stephanie loved John and it is why she married him! And though they divorced closer to 3 years following; Stephanie's love for John, I think, should not have been minimized by you, dear. More to follow!
SunniWelles 1 month ago
@SunniWelles
Also so you'll know, I loved John, my husband too! And I think that if you are going to count the years that your mother was with John while "unmarried", to him, you should also please not discount my years with John that we "remained together", before we actually "legally", married! Our, almost seven years, was certainly not "VERY brief", to me!
Your statement; "Both marriages only lasted about a year", was untrue for both Stephanie and I, Brie, as you minimized both. It hurt!
SunniWelles 1 month ago
@SunniWelles
For the record, I was hurt by your mention of me as only being " the other (marriage) was to a woman named Sunni, in the mid seventies", without your even mentioning that your dear, brother, Shaun was a bless-ed gift of that marriage even though your mother's were different! Seems you made more than 1 "slight", Brie!
You wouldn't have known that we desperately tried for almost a year before I was able to become pregnant; but to not even mention Shaun in regard to even just you?
SunniWelles 1 month ago
@SunniWelles
Suffice it to say, there is much about your dad's "wives", and also about where he and your mom "remained", that you don't know and which I do know because I was there! "In about 1977, my father met, etc". Did you hear that "In about 1977", from your mom or dad?!
Lastly, I think it wrong of you, for obvious reasons, to have tried to minimize John's "legal", wives in comparison to your mother's relationship with John -- especially when we've each lost OUR John, whom we ALL loved!
SunniWelles 1 month ago
Im his relative i is sad :(
doglover123456ism 6 months ago
I just heard about him from a friend, Evan Sneider. I found this on youtube and all I can say is WOW. I could listen to John O'Banion all day long. His voice is a work of art. Beautiful. Rest in Peace.
donnamariealba 1 year ago
Doesn't anyone have Love You Like I Never Loved Before?
alvastarr1 1 year ago
Great....Just Great.That's all I need to say.
mrfunnyman99 2 years ago
You're right, guess I have to admit my age and admit I had forgotten the exact year (it's been awhile). I'm sorry for Sunni's loss and hope their son has just as much talent.
terrinida44 3 years ago
I had the fortune of being engaged to John O'Banion in the late 70's. Met him as a young model in Seattle at a show, went to New York a few months later to marry him...but changed my mind because I didn't want to live in NY (young & foolish) For some reason, after all these years, I wondered how he was and found this site. He was a great talent, person and performer. This is a sad day. He will be missed.
terrinida44 3 years ago
Had to be the late '60's, because John was already married to Sunni Welles when we met in 1974. They were living in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley then.
presmark2 3 years ago
"When" were you engaged to John?
John became Doc's "Featured" singer in 1965. John signed a seven year contract w/ Doc's Manager then too. John married his 1st wife just before he signed the contracts. John 1st wife asked John for a divorce less than three and a half years later at the beginning of 1969. It was in process when we met that year.
Do you know John's "middle" name? If "engaged", you should know. John's sister's name? His folk's names? His first wife's name? How about his BF?
SunniWelles 1 year ago
Had to be the late sixties... Although my father was married briefly during that time, as well. Was this a very brief engagement?
OBANION79 5 months ago
Saw John first time ever on a movie called the "Judas Project". I was moved and touched by his performance. I talked with James Barden, creator of the Judas Project. He said John O'banion showed up for a small part in the movie, but when James saw his eyes and certain look he knew he had found the main character (Jesse). I think John did a great job despite only acting in a couple of movies.
I'll miss you John, sorry to hear about your death. I hope to meet you in heaven. God Bless.
camry1111 3 years ago
Dear BH,
TY for the compliments. They were very kind and appreciated!
There are many times in life that can be wonderful,BH, seek to find the "positives" & "possibilities" in, & through life. We all, it seems, have hard times in life in "getting" the lessons we need to learn. There is always a NEW day, Hon! THAT seems to me to be what life is all about. God bless you! I hope that it gets better for you in everyway! Have a HAPPY New Year!
SunniWelles 4 years ago
I saw John on JC for the first time! The most gorgeous & talented man man I've ever seen (or known)! I said to myself, "I'm going to marry that man!", & a few short years later I did.
Together we were blessed to have the most wonderful & BEST son ever! I love you Shaun!
There was no "one" singer/ entertainer EVER, with more talent than your Dad, Sweetheart!
My thoughts & prayers will forever be with him! All who knew John miss him. I know I do! I miss all the good memories we shared!
SunniWelles 4 years ago 3
I recall that in the late sixties, I saw Johnny o banion on the carson show and I immediately thought " That is the most georgeous face I've ever seen." I believe the carson show was still in NY because I tried to see if I could locate Johnny O Banion in NY. I had never done anything like that before. I am now 61 and still remember his name after all these years. I am so sad to hear he died. He was so georgeous and talented.
podlaski 3 years ago
This was the show I saw that made me fall in love with John saying to myself "I'm going to marry that man!" and I did! I miss him more than anyone could ever know or understand!
Together we were blessed with the BEST son ever!
There's NEVER been a better singer or entertainer EVER!
SunniWelles 4 years ago
I measured John's range once. He could clearly hit with full vibrato and without falsetto over three octaves. I'll be posting his impressions of everyone I have on tape (which is far from all he could do) from Robert Goulet to Johnny Mathis to Bobby Vinton. John could do literally a dead-on impression of virtually anyone he heard, not only the style of speach, but tone and inflection.
presmark2 4 years ago
Hello, and thanks for the reply to my original comment about knowing and dating (briefly) John. You are probably right about the year I met him...it's been so long I couldn't remember the year exactly. I started modeling in 69 and met him somewhere between that time and when I also got married in 75 to someone else. Your're right also about John's beautiful voice and range...sometimes the 'best' talents slip by us, and then they're gone. It's a loss to us all.
terrinida44 3 years ago
Wow. Can't believe I was unaware of this guy, and can't believe he didn't have the huge career he so obvioulsy deserved... in Vegas if not worldwide... not just a terrific instrument, but impeccable musicianship, taste and soul... what a loss he's not with us anymore. Thanks for posting.
marcusdarnley 4 years ago 5
Keep watching. I'll be posting more soon.
presmark2 4 years ago
Hi there, I'm so glad to have stumbled upon John O'Banion on youtube...I'm a huge fan of his...but I only have 2 of his albums. I'm hoping you have the song 'Inside This Heart Of Mine'..have been looking for that album (Close-up) for years but to no avail. Can you kindly help? thanks
janslim 3 years ago