Johnny Maestro & the Crests - Sweetest One

[hanklukas]

 What a loss. Now we are trying to get him in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame Johnny Maestro belongs there.

[OneHokie4Life]

@hanklukas Johnny should have been inducted a long time ago. The people in the decision process are clueless as to what and who defined Rock and Roll. They have confused it with Rock and focused far too much on putting in those people. Its sad that idiots higjacked the rock n roll hall of fame

[hanklukas]

I know it's Tommy for Tommy Mara of The Crest. I had seen him two years in a row.The first time

July,2010. Not long after Johnny died. I guess because of that I was judging him.The last time I saw Johnny Maestro was in August,2008 at Hicksville High School.

[vincent5august]

One of the greatest songs ever.

[MegaDianal]

I'll always love this song.

[deanslist101]

If my memory serves me correctly, this was the first song ever played on the Time Capsule Show. I think I remember them saying that on one of their anniversary shows. If so it was a great way to start a great show. During the British Invasion, when the waves swamped what was left of the great group harmony era, the TCS was the only bastion still holding out and playing the old songs on WFUV, the Fordham University Voice. God bless the great Johnny Maestro for sharing his talents with us.

[hanklukas]

Hi Harry, I am finally getting a chance to respond to you, at the time I was Hank0531,now I am Hank Lukas. You told me to relax,I was relaxed all I did was give anmpression Tommy Mara, that is all I did. I wrote that 11 months ago. I guess what it was was the I wasn't over the death of Johnny Maestro, I had been listening to Johnny for over 50 years. I first heard him when I was 9 years old. My first impression Mr Mara was not very good. I just saw him and the Crest again,

[billchew450]

I first heard the Crests on Bandstand doing Sixteen Candles. They knocked me out

then and they still do today. RIP Johnny Maestro. He belongs in the RRHOF- it is

a sin that he is not in there.

[Vintageart1994]

Great song :)

[eliasarosemena]

one of the very first "complete " groups latins, colored, white group. jonhy maestro the best

[candyeater321]

wow this music is sooo amazing

why couldnt i live in a time like this

i wood have found true love like this

RIP johny

[OneHokie4Life]

OMG! I didn't know Johnny had passed. He inspired so many artists. The Crown Prince of DooWop. When and how did he die!!?? Wow ....He is irreplacable. One of the greatest voices of that era is gone............ The Angels who once "listened in " have gotten a big upgrade to their heavenly choir... Rest in Peace Johnny.

[Hank0531]

I read your response to my comment about the Crest. I saw that someone had told me to relax, with my comment after seeing the Crest. I was relaxed, I was just giving an impression of what I saw. I know that no one will ever be another Johnny Maestro. It was a tough summer without the Brooklyn Bridge.Last time I saw Johnny Maestro and the Bridge was in 2008 at HIcksville High School. It

was a summer concert.

[EarthAngelCCC]

I love this song and pics, thanks, a hug

[satuptv]

God bless you, Johnny...

[njva17420]

I recall dancing to this music in junior high school in the late 50s. You just couldn't beat it. Up close and personal, it really turned up the body heat.

[Hank0531]

hello warner I read your comment on my comment. It was just an impression I

got of the current crest. Beside I am relaxed, i am well aware that Johnny left the

Crest. I told you I had been listening to Crest music since I was 9 years old that

was in 1957,everytime a Crest song came on I paid attention,there was something about them. I went to the concert on July 31st to see this new Crest

group and I said I wasn't impressed. I saw Johnny plenty out here on Long island

in the parks.

[Hank0531]

saw The Crest on Saturday night July 31.The Crest have a new lead singer,name

Mara, don't remember his first name. The reason I wasn't impressed.I think he

is going to ruin the name and memory of The Crest. He is no Johnny Maestro.

I remember the Crest in the 50's, I thought they were very special. And when I

heard the Crest on WCBS-FM in 1972. I was 9,10,11 years old in 1957,58 and

1959,I heard the Crest on WINS here in New York. Pleae Mr Mara don't

ruin The Crest.

[HarryWarner]

@Hank0531 Relax, Hank - Johnny hadn't been singing with the Crests since the group broke up years ago. The Crests continued with other lead singers over the years and became mostly forgettable . Johnny formed Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge in the late '60s and sang with them (both Crests and Brooklyn Bridge songs) until his untimely passing. So forget about the current Crests and pay attention to the Brooklyn Bridge and their new lead singer who I promise won't disappoint you.

[TopazDupree]

@HarryWarner It was Johnny's wish that his good friend, Joel Katz (a doo wop singer who sings in a similar style as Johnny's) fill in for him while Johnny was ill. After Johnny died, Katz continued to be the guest vocalist for The Brooklyn Bridge. They have chosen Roy Michaels to be their permanent lead vocalist in the future.

[robshannon]

@HarryWarner Johhny was right up there with the GREATS. He kept singing to the end. The songs Johnny did with The Crests were up there with the greatest. I saw The Brooklyn Bridge at the Highway Inn in Roosevelt, Long Island sometime in the late 60's. Fantastic!

[TopazDupree]

@Hank0531 Singer Tommy Mara bought the legal rights to use the name "The Crests" about ten years ago from J.T. Carter (the only surviving member of the original Crests). No one can sing Crests' songs like Johnny... no one can sing like Johnny. He was the best. ♫♥♫

[doowopdave39]

@Hank0531 His first name is name is Tommy,he sings in Fla,new singer for the Bridge is Joel Katz

[TopazDupree]

@doowopdave39 Joel Katz was the guest vocalist for The Brooklyn Bridge for a few shows during Johnny's illness and for several concerts after Johnny's death. The new lead singer for The BB is Roy Michaels (from Florida, via The Netherlands).

[TopazDupree]

@Hank0531 J.T. Carter is the only surviving member of the original Crests. He sold the rights to the name "The Crests" to Tommy Mara about ten years ago. Mara's current group is really a tribute group to doo wop music.

[doowopman49]

@Hank0531 that would be tommy mara.

[doowopman49]

that would be tommy mara

[doowopman49]

@Hank0531 that would be "tommy" mara.

[rocknroll1955]

@Hank0531 his first name is Tommy!, Erik Von

[buddyzroadie]

Thank you soooooo much for these posts!  Harry you're the best!

Thanks, I needed that :)

[loweyesguy831]

like this one and i waz born in 85 dude

[MegaDianal]

I have this on a 45. Always did love this song

[TheCamdyMan]

I discovered Johnny Maestro on Youtube only 18 months ago and fell in love with every old hit song as I heard them for the very first time.

I've been away and just logged into Youtube and so saddened to read that the great man has passed away.

I'm 45 years old and crying like a new born baby as I write. :(

Rest in peace Johnny and thank you so much for making so many so happy over the years, including this old geezer.

Goodbye Johnny sleep easy.

[robshannon]

R.I.P. Johnny.

[TOMBANCROFT]

If anyone ever asks you what doo-wop was - play them this track and ger them hooked!

RIP Johnny. Gone, but with us forever via his perfect recordings.

[1863year]

Talk about a song to listen to, sing along with or dance to - this is it......Thanks Johnny and all the Crests..............RIP Jonnny Maestro..........

[cgn49]

so great!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

[estosiesmusica]

Muy buena balada.

[pilgrimspath]

RIP Johnny and sing your heart out in heaven.

[ncleve1033]

sweetest johnny..... what have you done...

you were the best ...rip brother

[nyimtman]

EXCELLENT, JOHNNY WILL BE MISSED.

[DooWopAngel48]

OMG WHAT A SONG. He will be missed. He music will live on forever.

[GNRSlashLover]

RIP Johnny :(

My favorite song from The Crests.

[musicmaker1999]

just a devasting loss of one of the best singers its been my priviledge to ever hear june angel at the johnny maestro fans site at yahoo

[jimNEPhilly]

Truly a giant in the genre! Johnny's "Sweetest One" is in my top ten all time faves. "What a Surprise" is the first song that brought a tear to my eye.

[southbklyn]

RIP Johnny

[TheHank531]

I am heartbroken at the lost of this great voice. Johnny rest in peace. May 7,1939-March 24,2010. Hank7

[marklindsayfan1]

rip johnny

[Cleftonefan]

R.I.P., Johnny.

[dariogreco]

WHAT A GREAT VOICE....RIP big JHONNY. IT'S A SAD DAY FOR DOOWOP

[ladydi0218]

Tommy mara, who rec' the septer from Johnny Maestro for the "Crest;s" does an awesome version! Great song!!!

[GNRSlashLover]

i love this song. my favorite by the crests.

[titusjean]

Johnny could sing to me all night long!!!!

[ralphbohm]

Oh, c'mon, Titusjean, the poor guy's got to sleep sometime. ;-P

[pieronicolosi]

Fantastic song.

thank you.*****

[kc54angel]

A beautiful song by a voice that is touched by the angels. Can still hit those notes at age 70. None better.

[willbashem]

What a voice!!!!! Another classic from the magical world of Doo Wop

[Wehategod]

Note this recording includes Luther Van Dross Sister Patricia Van Dross

[TRAINIAC19]

What a treasure!! A once in a lifetime voice like Johnny Maestro that we are fortunate enough to enjoy.

[Perd11]

Masterful...As good as Doo Wop can be!!! great post, Harry...

[HarryWarner]

Did the Crests record "19 Candles" 3 years after they did "16 Candles"? And was it about the same girl?

[doowopman49]

@HarryWarner yeah, and neil sedaka recorded "happy birthday sweet 13! he he he . tom d brick,nj

[hah13]

Shells Version?

I guess to each his own

[barberof1965]

Did you ever here the shells' version? It pretty good. Its the first version i ever heard.......but this one is FANTASTIC

[x3x900]

can i ask you some thing? um can you tell me shells band please cuz i typed in. ''shell-sweetest one'. and its not there man.

thanks

[barberof1965]

its rare.you can find it on the SHELLS cd

[RealSwampcat]

My favorite Crests song.

Thanks for posting this!

[TopazDupree]

"Sweetest One" was The Crests' first charted single... #86 in 1957. The song was co-written by Johnny Maestro, who is in two of the slideshow photos (the other photo includes James Ancrum, who replaced Johnny when he left The Crests). Also in one of the photos is the late Patricia Van Dross, only 15 at the time. She sang on this recording and on "My Juanita".

[musicmaker1999]

heck harry are u ever spoiling this uk girl i cant get over these you r putting up johnny maestro yes hes the sweetest one for sure with a voice touched by angels ty so much

[HarryWarner]

I'm glad you're enjoying my Johnny Maestro uploads. I noticed that several of his very early classic recordings were not yet up so I went to my archives.

I appreciate your comments.

[barberof1965]

GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!! I LOVE Johnnie but i perfer the Shells version.