Okay, so I have not watched Sha Na Na since I was a kid and listening to Johnny sing this and others makes me realize how great of a vocalist (not singer) he is/was. The control in his range is nothing short of brilliant.
Wow, this man is amazing! His voice is flawless! I remember watching the show when I was a child and wishing I could sing like him but no one can and no one should sing like him. He is wonderful, I got chills just watching it. Amazing man and voice. What a talent ! He is incredible!
@1Skeptik1 you are so right - a little different tones but so talented John Contardo - and Johnny Maestro - I hope Johnny Contardo continues to work as he was away for awhile - Johnny Maestro's body of work is sooo extensive - Johnny Maestro should be in Rock hall of fame ... those idiots who run that venue wish they had 10% Johnny Contardo or Johnny Maestro's vocal talent - RIP JM
Johnny did more than just sing songs, he was the whole package. Visual as well as vocal performer. This is one of my favorites by him. He not only caught your attention but he pulled on your every heart string with this particullar performance.
Roy Orbison holds a special place in my heart. His music was there in my youth, just when I needed it.
The first time I saw Johnny Contardo was on Sha Na Na's variety show on TV.
He sang Teen Angel. He sang with an intensity & passion that burned right into my soul. I was hooked, from that day forth. Today, as then, I dont compare Johnny with Roy Orbison or anyone else. He stands alone with his unique talent.
@35150Alabama You bet! Don't compare. Both are fantastic and great, just different. Like comparing desserts; all good, just different. Maybew one is a little better than the other, but at this level, who cares. Love it all. Maybe it's more like a parent comparing their children? All is magical back then especially as it fades away... doesh't it jst get better and better? Loved those days... I'm tearing up....
Hi there night owl. My Mom was hospitalized so for the last couple months I have been caring for her. I come here to get some up lifting music.:) Hugs to all. Linda
Heavens to Murgatroid! What a memorable version of one of my fave tunes from the 60's! Johnny does a fantastic job with the song! MANY thanks for sharing this very cool clip with us! You've MADE my day! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you & yours! :)
Flawless performance of a song that will kill most singers. I hate that polite round of canned applause the producers put in at Johnny's high notes, because in real life it would have been either dead silent or thunderous.
Did you know that Roy came to a SNN show thinking Johnny was still in the band, and went backstage to tell him he thought he did this song better than he, only to find out Johnny had left the band?
@buddyeagle I still think it's great that Johnny found out about it. I wish he had told Johnny personally, but at least the message got delivered albeit after the death of Roy. Both men excelled with their voices, and I think it was very generous of Roy to give Johnny this wonderful compliment. Thanks for responding.
He makes it look so easy. I sometimes wonder what the other guys are thinking as they stand alongside him on stage singing a number like this .. I hope it's, "Johnny is fantastic - the best voice around."
G-d...even when Johnny sings the lyrics of how "since you said so long, left me standing all alone" 0:45 the look on his face is as if he's reliving this moment..soo sad.
Roy Orbison was not half as good. He was a great voice, but Johnny's is better. Johnny sings with way more feeling and heart. When Roy sang ,it was more like "listen to me and how good I sing", it had no passion in it. Johnny's version is the best one ever done. Its not even close play them one after the other.
@OneHokie4Life I agree with you up to a point, but Roy's crescendo on this song is truer to its meaning. More raw, more uncontrolled, more ... desperate, I guess. But I'll happily listen to either.
@OneHokie4Life How long have you been around and listened to Roy Orbison? I am 67 and have heard everyone of his songs. I will not take anything away from Johnny Contardo, he is great, but he cannot top Roy Orbison. Check out Elvis, Roy was in the audience at one of his Las Vegas shows and he told the audience, "There is the greatest singer in the world!" I have been too several of Sha Na Na's concerts and I really appreciate the job they did, and also Bowzer and Johnny's great singing.
I'm 50 and was raised on DooWop .When disco was king I listen to" the King" ,the Diamonds, ect. This genre of music is the best there ever was . Elvis was a gracious man, and that was a nice charitable thing to say to Roy. I too have heard ALL of Roy's music as well as Elvis, Ricky Nelson,etal. As for Shanana, I rarily missed a show or a concert. I love roy and miss him, but his delivery lacked the heart Johnny put into his songs. "Only The Lonely" is my favorite Roy song.
@OneHokie4Life You have your opinion and I have mine, but I respect you for yours. I am 67 and I have also grown up on DooWop and from the fifty's on. Any way ya look at it, it's great music. I wouldn't trade it for any kind of music All the singers your have listed are some, if not, the best singers back then. As for ShaNaNa, I have been too a few of there concerts, Bowzer and Johnny are great! Just keep listening to the Good Old Rock and Roll!
I searched for Johnny.... I remember back in the 80's Sha Na Na had a TV show, late night on the weekends. I remember how my heart would quicken whenever Johnny had a solo. What a voice!! Where is he now? He got lost in Sha Na Na... he deserved so much more accolades than he got. An awesome singer!
I would say that if Johnny were to share the stage with Roy, he would do as Elvis, and bow down. Johnny has a great voice, but absoultley no comparision to Roy. this is a far better version than KDLang. enough said. the true king of soprano, tenor and alto is Roy Orbison. hands down, but Johnny is the best runner up lol.
Johnny had/has an amazing voice. I am so sick of the absolute garbage on the pop scene now. Tuneless rubbish. Music was a huge part of my life but todays warbling females and peurile rap are a joke. It's a pity more youngsters don't here this. Everyone who loves music loves all types of good music, These guys were really good. I teach meditation but watching and listening to this talent will send anyone to bed with a smile on their face.
I want to marry johnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
YES!!! My mom use to call to me out in the backyard "Corey, Sha Na Na is on!" and I'd blitz straight to the T.V. !!! Loved this show. Why can't television be now what it was back then. Actual GOOD entertainment.
@polyneux74 Maybe its the fog of a few decades, but something taht seems to be missing from Sha Na Na that is absolutely rife in most modern acts and TV shows is corporate sponsorship. Corps gets involved and they use the act to sell their products. Sha Na Na sells the music. I haven't seen a Sha Na Na concert since the early 80's, so I don't know if its changed, but watch the old shows and see how there's very little, if any, product placement.
This will be sung at my Halloween Party. The band always does this one for me. I sing along. The man that does the lead is excellent. Is he Johnny Contardo? Who is? But he is Italian and he can hold his own and then some. Johnny would approve.
@MrsLederer He still sounds great at 62 and having used his voice to make a living for decades, that's saying something. Most of them wear it out completely. No one is going to sound at 60 the way they did in their prime but Johnny still sings beautifully and is such a class act. I would not hesitate to buy tickets to hear him. His fans drug him out of retirement and I'm darn glad he listened.
@Tonithenightowl Hi Toni! I think you should be nominated for Johnny Contardo's #1 Fan! He really sings his heart out on Crying. I think the late,great Roy Orbison
would be very pleased! have a great weekend! mike.
@mikeletz lol I have found the joys of Youtube. Being able to hear these great songs some 30 yrs later has been a real treat for me. Also makes me realize how few classic voices we have anymore. Yes I'm a Johnny addict and I don't need a cure lol Have a great weekend Mike. Always nice to hear from you.
@Tonithenightowl It is always nice to hear from you also. I hope you get a chance someday to see Johnny in person. I think you would really like that. Mike.
@spiritofshiloh lol I hear ya, I'm having one of those days where I need Johnny to soothe me. Who needs a nerve pill when you have Johnny singing? His voice always takes the edge off for me. I just go into a minor stupor and let the love flow lol. Good to hear from you, hope all is well with you and yours.
I listened to an interview of Johnny Contardo on Jeff Rense this eveining. Amazingly, he said Roy contacted Johnny to let him know he did this song better than he!
Better still these guys had talent behind them, no digital alchemy was available then. Thank you faerydancer for posting this.video.
How dare this man make middle aged women puddles of goop when we listen to him sing? I hope he continues to do so because we like being puddles for Johnny Contardo. Orbison really had little stage presence but could sing his butt off. Johnny on the other hand could sing his butt off and it was like watching a broadway production with his stage presence. He made you think he was singing just to you and not millions. That my friends is a true entertainer.
@Tonithenightowl indeed how dare he and even though (do any of us?) LOOK Like this anynmore the voice oh the voice such a great man. I watch grease just to see him!
@kyldy Hey he's still HOT and sounds great. His personality will keep him "the kid" to us forever. He's so nice to boot. Only a handful have a voice like that, and he's one of them. Thanks for responding, always happy to meet another Johnny aholic lol
@spiritofshiloh awwww He's sooooo nice. A real people person. The man is a gem. A good soul. His talent is off the charts and his personality is precious.I have conversed with him and he could not be more generous to his fans. A true gentleman.
@Tonithenightowl -Hi I will always treasure the picture I have of him with his arms around me and my sister:) I get so choked up everytime I hear him sing this song.
@spiritofshiloh Hi. I can only imagine being that close to him lol. This song is one of my fave's and Johnny does it complete justice and then some. His emotional delivery is beyond compare and then couple it with that VOICE and you have magic. Glad to meet another Johnny Contardo fan but I'm still jealous that you got to stand next to him. Kudos to you and your sister. A great memory.
If I can ever dig up the pic I will find a way to post it. It was back in 1982 or 83. I worked for an attorney,Dan Sheahan,and he knew Johnny. Johnny came to the office and thats how I got the pic:)
@spiritofshilo That would be so great , thankyou. We were used to seeing him all greased up ( and he took our breath away) but you got to meet the real Johnny and I bet he was every bit as gorgeous and sweet without the gold lame' get up lol. Many on these blogs have commented about how nice he is to his fans and this is just another great story that comfirms it. Thanks again and I will be looking for that pic if you find it.
@spiritofshiloh Boy, you are asking a good one lol. If you don't mind emailing the pic to me ( which would be the only way I would know how) you can do so by sending it to Tonithenightowl@ aol.com. I have had a computer for 7 yrs. and a 10 yr.old still knows more than me lol. I truly appreciate the effort. Thanks again.
Roy's version is totally his but Johnny's version is superb. Another great version is the Legendary Gene Pitney. These men could sing. They all had extensive range. You would never mistake their voice for someone elses.
Totally loved Sha Na Na. Bower was awesome. Everything Johnny does is also terrific. If you like this you have to listen to his "Remember Then". He has a lot of good work uploaded here.
I am usually NOT in favor of anyone doing anything Roy Orbison ever did but MY GOD Johnny does that song better than Roy!!!!! Would love to see him live someday. Lol to think my childhood crush was on Bowzer and to look back now I'm like huh???
In the immortal words of Capt. Jack Sparrow..."Just keep tellin' yourself that darlin'....lol. I make a deal with you, I'll take first ride, and then if there's any JC left..you can have him....Sounds like a plan to me LOLOL
Does anyone have the tv show versions of: Sandy, You Cant Sit Down, Peppermint Twist, Only You and Dream Lover? How about the Artificial Flowers skit? If so, please post soon!!! Thanks!!!
Whenever I listen to this performance (which is quite often!), I feel like he's going to slip into falsetto at the end, but he sings it in full voice. That's pretty amazing...it's really high, even for a tenor. If the sound is coming through accurately over my computer, then I think this is the same key in which Orbison sang it.
Wow. And that was live. Awesome range and control. I was mistakenly under the impression that kd lang was the only singer who could do Roy's song justice besides Roy. This guy obviously never got the credit he deserved.
We needed Roy to write it though! ;-) Love Johnny's voice. Wish these lives versions were available on a cd or download from itunes. Thanks for the post.
Somebody made a remark about Johnny straddling the rail on remember Then and ALL I said was "I wish he was strad... never mind." I didn't even finish the sentence!
Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, everyone took it wrong!! I was going to say " I wish he was straddling a horse and riding off into the sunset with me," And if you buy that bull.....
Shouldn't that be straddling a Harley...(Harley Davidson Motorcycle for those of you not familiar with the term..lol ) He was after all a greaser...lol
So full of earnest, youthful longing. Just beautiful.
kangadillo 1 week ago
:)
spiritofshiloh 1 month ago
Estrela , estrela estrela!!!! Johnny Fantastic!
MegaSajs 1 month ago
I love you Johnny!!!
MegaSajs 1 month ago
He did have a solo career. I bought one of his albums
Eloraci 1 month ago
Really excellent. He could have a solo career in any decade.
imagineers0 1 month ago
Holy Damn this guy can sing!!! Awesome!!!
joeyshuny5 2 months ago
Johnny Contardo is one of the great, unsung geniuses of American music. Beautiful and brilliant in every way.
Nemesis7293 2 months ago
amazing tone and pitch control...amazing voice!!!! used to watch these guys when i was young an 36yrs on i still love them!!!!!!!
kowloonrfc 4 months ago
LOOOOOOOOVE This song!!!
Jan3948 5 months ago
nice,nice,nice!!!
JoelChoosen 5 months ago
I was 10 when I watched this show. I loved Johnny then love him now. I'm sorry but he is better than the original 99.9999% of all the songs he sings
francine4christopher 5 months ago
Okay, so I have not watched Sha Na Na since I was a kid and listening to Johnny sing this and others makes me realize how great of a vocalist (not singer) he is/was. The control in his range is nothing short of brilliant.
anakina1 6 months ago
johnny is fantastic!!!
ch1023eryl 7 months ago
johnny boy, I remember you from endicott street...we were both kids.
patsguy369 7 months ago
That was pretty good. 10/10
Scrabbler27 7 months ago
Wow, this man is amazing! His voice is flawless! I remember watching the show when I was a child and wishing I could sing like him but no one can and no one should sing like him. He is wonderful, I got chills just watching it. Amazing man and voice. What a talent ! He is incredible!
Eddieb715 7 months ago 5
Someone get me the big knife bc no one should be given this much talent. However, its Johnny, so we have to make some concessions.
Tonithenightowl 8 months ago
BRAVO god that voice
sidewaiz 8 months ago
Only two men should be allowed to sing this song: Roy Orbison and Johnny Contardo.
Veggieman87 9 months ago
@Veggieman87 There is/was a 3rd., the late Johnny Maestro. Both stand above the crowd! Regards
1Skeptik1 9 months ago
@1Skeptik1 you are so right - a little different tones but so talented John Contardo - and Johnny Maestro - I hope Johnny Contardo continues to work as he was away for awhile - Johnny Maestro's body of work is sooo extensive - Johnny Maestro should be in Rock hall of fame ... those idiots who run that venue wish they had 10% Johnny Contardo or Johnny Maestro's vocal talent - RIP JM
ahstc1973 9 months ago
I have to admit that I have trouble with anyone except Orbison (or Jay Black) attempting this song ....
But this is DAMNED good.
Color me amazed.
BlazingFerret 9 months ago
DAMN... impressive... what an under-appreciated voice... anyone who could go toe-to-toe (vocally) with Roy Orbison... wow
yoshiofdeath 9 months ago
Johnny did more than just sing songs, he was the whole package. Visual as well as vocal performer. This is one of my favorites by him. He not only caught your attention but he pulled on your every heart string with this particullar performance.
annieopp3 9 months ago 3
I'm 61 and Johnny's voice belongs up there with Roy, Jay, Gene Pitney, Johnny Maestro.
ssrprosthetic 9 months ago
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Came back for more Johnny. High there night owl:)
spiritofshiloh 10 months ago
Came back for more Johnny:) *SIGH* Hit there noghtowl:)
spiritofshiloh 10 months ago
ok we are used to Orbison's version, he's primo, but lets give Johnny his due. He blew us away with this version.
Tonithenightowl 11 months ago
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I cannot get enough of this.
Jayy27 11 months ago 3
Roy Orbison holds a special place in my heart. His music was there in my youth, just when I needed it.
The first time I saw Johnny Contardo was on Sha Na Na's variety show on TV.
He sang Teen Angel. He sang with an intensity & passion that burned right into my soul. I was hooked, from that day forth. Today, as then, I dont compare Johnny with Roy Orbison or anyone else. He stands alone with his unique talent.
35150Alabama 11 months ago
@35150Alabama You bet! Don't compare. Both are fantastic and great, just different. Like comparing desserts; all good, just different. Maybew one is a little better than the other, but at this level, who cares. Love it all. Maybe it's more like a parent comparing their children? All is magical back then especially as it fades away... doesh't it jst get better and better? Loved those days... I'm tearing up....
jughead12345678 9 months ago
is it just me or does this have a break in the sound at baout 1:04?
silarnon 11 months ago
hi guys i love this stuff... is this some american bandstand production...excellent
waster1970 11 months ago
Hi there night owl. My Mom was hospitalized so for the last couple months I have been caring for her. I come here to get some up lifting music.:) Hugs to all. Linda
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
I am back to listen to Johnny:)
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
@spiritofshiloh Tell me about it. I am not ashamed to admit I need my Johnny fix lol Orbison thought Johnny did this better than he.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
Heavens to Murgatroid! What a memorable version of one of my fave tunes from the 60's! Johnny does a fantastic job with the song! MANY thanks for sharing this very cool clip with us! You've MADE my day! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you & yours! :)
JubalCalif 1 year ago
Johnny Contardo did this just as good as Roy Orbison,maybe even better.
landrykkb 1 year ago
talent like this i dont think exist anymore, thats a voice to fall in love with
kplay88 1 year ago
Flawless performance of a song that will kill most singers. I hate that polite round of canned applause the producers put in at Johnny's high notes, because in real life it would have been either dead silent or thunderous.
CrankyOldster 1 year ago
i was allright for a while...
nick345ize1 1 year ago
good tune. whatever happend to sha-na-na
snowflakelakes 1 year ago
Did you know that Roy came to a SNN show thinking Johnny was still in the band, and went backstage to tell him he thought he did this song better than he, only to find out Johnny had left the band?
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl So Sad.
buddyeagle 1 year ago
@buddyeagle I still think it's great that Johnny found out about it. I wish he had told Johnny personally, but at least the message got delivered albeit after the death of Roy. Both men excelled with their voices, and I think it was very generous of Roy to give Johnny this wonderful compliment. Thanks for responding.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
He makes it look so easy. I sometimes wonder what the other guys are thinking as they stand alongside him on stage singing a number like this .. I hope it's, "Johnny is fantastic - the best voice around."
Medina29able 1 year ago
G-d...even when Johnny sings the lyrics of how "since you said so long, left me standing all alone" 0:45 the look on his face is as if he's reliving this moment..soo sad.
Mayanxic 1 year ago
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noosmum 1 year ago
Roy Orbison was not half as good. He was a great voice, but Johnny's is better. Johnny sings with way more feeling and heart. When Roy sang ,it was more like "listen to me and how good I sing", it had no passion in it. Johnny's version is the best one ever done. Its not even close play them one after the other.
OneHokie4Life 1 year ago 2
@OneHokie4Life I could not agree more. When it came to delivery and stage presence no one beats Johnny. He took you there and held you there.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@OneHokie4Life I agree with you up to a point, but Roy's crescendo on this song is truer to its meaning. More raw, more uncontrolled, more ... desperate, I guess. But I'll happily listen to either.
CrankyOldster 1 year ago
@OneHokie4Life How long have you been around and listened to Roy Orbison? I am 67 and have heard everyone of his songs. I will not take anything away from Johnny Contardo, he is great, but he cannot top Roy Orbison. Check out Elvis, Roy was in the audience at one of his Las Vegas shows and he told the audience, "There is the greatest singer in the world!" I have been too several of Sha Na Na's concerts and I really appreciate the job they did, and also Bowzer and Johnny's great singing.
proudtobefromwv 1 year ago
@proudtobefromwv
I'm 50 and was raised on DooWop .When disco was king I listen to" the King" ,the Diamonds, ect. This genre of music is the best there ever was . Elvis was a gracious man, and that was a nice charitable thing to say to Roy. I too have heard ALL of Roy's music as well as Elvis, Ricky Nelson,etal. As for Shanana, I rarily missed a show or a concert. I love roy and miss him, but his delivery lacked the heart Johnny put into his songs. "Only The Lonely" is my favorite Roy song.
OneHokie4Life 1 year ago
@OneHokie4Life You have your opinion and I have mine, but I respect you for yours. I am 67 and I have also grown up on DooWop and from the fifty's on. Any way ya look at it, it's great music. I wouldn't trade it for any kind of music All the singers your have listed are some, if not, the best singers back then. As for ShaNaNa, I have been too a few of there concerts, Bowzer and Johnny are great! Just keep listening to the Good Old Rock and Roll!
proudtobefromwv 1 year ago
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I searched for Johnny.... I remember back in the 80's Sha Na Na had a TV show, late night on the weekends. I remember how my heart would quicken whenever Johnny had a solo. What a voice!! Where is he now? He got lost in Sha Na Na... he deserved so much more accolades than he got. An awesome singer!
MizKitty1122 1 year ago
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MizKitty1122 1 year ago
Damn,Roy Orbison wished He could sing that song as good.
SUNTSU2010 1 year ago
@SUNTSU2010
I would say that if Johnny were to share the stage with Roy, he would do as Elvis, and bow down. Johnny has a great voice, but absoultley no comparision to Roy. this is a far better version than KDLang. enough said. the true king of soprano, tenor and alto is Roy Orbison. hands down, but Johnny is the best runner up lol.
MrSoulbentrage 1 year ago
These days not many people are this pitch-perfect... faultless vocals
atowari 1 year ago
Johnny ws an exceptional talent and so good to look at. Beautiful.
Medina29able 1 year ago
Johnny had/has an amazing voice. I am so sick of the absolute garbage on the pop scene now. Tuneless rubbish. Music was a huge part of my life but todays warbling females and peurile rap are a joke. It's a pity more youngsters don't here this. Everyone who loves music loves all types of good music, These guys were really good. I teach meditation but watching and listening to this talent will send anyone to bed with a smile on their face.
Medina29able 1 year ago 2
I want to marry johnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
noosmum 1 year ago
YES!!! My mom use to call to me out in the backyard "Corey, Sha Na Na is on!" and I'd blitz straight to the T.V. !!! Loved this show. Why can't television be now what it was back then. Actual GOOD entertainment.
polyneux74 1 year ago 2
@polyneux74 Maybe its the fog of a few decades, but something taht seems to be missing from Sha Na Na that is absolutely rife in most modern acts and TV shows is corporate sponsorship. Corps gets involved and they use the act to sell their products. Sha Na Na sells the music. I haven't seen a Sha Na Na concert since the early 80's, so I don't know if its changed, but watch the old shows and see how there's very little, if any, product placement.
Shiftkitty 1 year ago
I haven't seen this since i was 5 years old I used to love this show
honeybear0215 1 year ago
The only person who does this better--truly--is Jeff Foskett; hear him do this--it'[s awesome. Great Perf., Johnny C.
Wolfsky9 1 year ago
He hits those high notes with perfection!
cherylsnyder6969 1 year ago
@cherylsnyder6969 The man astounds me. His voice is perfection. A great tenor.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago 3
Yes I agree Johnny does an awesome vocal here truly great!!!!!!!!!!
DammYankee1 1 year ago
This is the only singer I've heard that compares to the original Roy Orbison rendition; amazingly good!
Athabina 1 year ago
I will hunt down the 2 people that gave this video thumbs down and kill them like the dogs they are
Marcloud 1 year ago 3
This will be sung at my Halloween Party. The band always does this one for me. I sing along. The man that does the lead is excellent. Is he Johnny Contardo? Who is? But he is Italian and he can hold his own and then some. Johnny would approve.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
Johnny gives a master class in singing .... always fantastic!!!
AGibsonJ 1 year ago
Johnny had (has?) a great voice.
MrsLederer 1 year ago
@MrsLederer He still sounds great at 62 and having used his voice to make a living for decades, that's saying something. Most of them wear it out completely. No one is going to sound at 60 the way they did in their prime but Johnny still sings beautifully and is such a class act. I would not hesitate to buy tickets to hear him. His fans drug him out of retirement and I'm darn glad he listened.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl Hi Toni! I think you should be nominated for Johnny Contardo's #1 Fan! He really sings his heart out on Crying. I think the late,great Roy Orbison
would be very pleased! have a great weekend! mike.
mikeletz 1 year ago
@mikeletz lol I have found the joys of Youtube. Being able to hear these great songs some 30 yrs later has been a real treat for me. Also makes me realize how few classic voices we have anymore. Yes I'm a Johnny addict and I don't need a cure lol Have a great weekend Mike. Always nice to hear from you.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl It is always nice to hear from you also. I hope you get a chance someday to see Johnny in person. I think you would really like that. Mike.
mikeletz 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl Hi,I am back to listen to my Johnny:)
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
@spiritofshiloh lol I hear ya, I'm having one of those days where I need Johnny to soothe me. Who needs a nerve pill when you have Johnny singing? His voice always takes the edge off for me. I just go into a minor stupor and let the love flow lol. Good to hear from you, hope all is well with you and yours.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
I listened to an interview of Johnny Contardo on Jeff Rense this eveining. Amazingly, he said Roy contacted Johnny to let him know he did this song better than he!
Better still these guys had talent behind them, no digital alchemy was available then. Thank you faerydancer for posting this.video.
joymoons 1 year ago 2
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joymoons 1 year ago 5
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joymoons 1 year ago 3
How dare this man make middle aged women puddles of goop when we listen to him sing? I hope he continues to do so because we like being puddles for Johnny Contardo. Orbison really had little stage presence but could sing his butt off. Johnny on the other hand could sing his butt off and it was like watching a broadway production with his stage presence. He made you think he was singing just to you and not millions. That my friends is a true entertainer.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago 27
@Tonithenightowl Yes....agreed!
cherylsnyder6969 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl indeed how dare he and even though (do any of us?) LOOK Like this anynmore the voice oh the voice such a great man. I watch grease just to see him!
kyldy 1 year ago
@kyldy Hey he's still HOT and sounds great. His personality will keep him "the kid" to us forever. He's so nice to boot. Only a handful have a voice like that, and he's one of them. Thanks for responding, always happy to meet another Johnny aholic lol
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl Middle aged women??? I'm 32 and he turned me to goop :-)
cincyredsgirl 8 months ago
@cincyredsgirl Well that's bc you have excellent taste in singers despite being a youngin' lol
Tonithenightowl 8 months ago
@Tonithenightowl middle aged?!? I'm only 18 and he can still do it! =D
RequiemOfSolitude 7 months ago
@RequiemOfSolitude Nice to see a teen with taste but you will understand what I mean about 30 yrs from now hahaha
Tonithenightowl 7 months ago
Brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
smeagle581 1 year ago 7
I still have a pic of him hugging me and my sister at my work place in the 80's.:)
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago 3
@spiritofshiloh awwww He's sooooo nice. A real people person. The man is a gem. A good soul. His talent is off the charts and his personality is precious.I have conversed with him and he could not be more generous to his fans. A true gentleman.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago 2
@Tonithenightowl -Hi I will always treasure the picture I have of him with his arms around me and my sister:) I get so choked up everytime I hear him sing this song.
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
@spiritofshiloh Hi. I can only imagine being that close to him lol. This song is one of my fave's and Johnny does it complete justice and then some. His emotional delivery is beyond compare and then couple it with that VOICE and you have magic. Glad to meet another Johnny Contardo fan but I'm still jealous that you got to stand next to him. Kudos to you and your sister. A great memory.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl
If I can ever dig up the pic I will find a way to post it. It was back in 1982 or 83. I worked for an attorney,Dan Sheahan,and he knew Johnny. Johnny came to the office and thats how I got the pic:)
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
@spiritofshilo That would be so great , thankyou. We were used to seeing him all greased up ( and he took our breath away) but you got to meet the real Johnny and I bet he was every bit as gorgeous and sweet without the gold lame' get up lol. Many on these blogs have commented about how nice he is to his fans and this is just another great story that comfirms it. Thanks again and I will be looking for that pic if you find it.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl
I took a pic of the pic and put it on Photo bucket. How do I post a link?
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
@spiritofshiloh Boy, you are asking a good one lol. If you don't mind emailing the pic to me ( which would be the only way I would know how) you can do so by sending it to Tonithenightowl@ aol.com. I have had a computer for 7 yrs. and a 10 yr.old still knows more than me lol. I truly appreciate the effort. Thanks again.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
@Tonithenightowl I sent the pics via email
spiritofshiloh 1 year ago
Roy's version is totally his but Johnny's version is superb. Another great version is the Legendary Gene Pitney. These men could sing. They all had extensive range. You would never mistake their voice for someone elses.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago 4
*sigh* back in the days when singers sang...
spartan585 1 year ago 4
Roy Orbison would be proud of the great job Johnny did singing this song!
mikeletz 1 year ago 4
The MAN can sing!
crazyhorse99999 1 year ago 4
this is one of my all time favorite songs and Johnny is one of a very few who can pull it off as well as Roy...thanks for sharing
628misskitty 1 year ago
Wow. How can you be that close to doing it as well as Orbison?
sirdaveo 1 year ago
being a huge Roy Orbison fan, what a great cover by Johnny.
wyldmountnhoney, none does this better than Roy, but I think this version is even better than the duet with Roy and KD Lang.
MrSoulbentrage 1 year ago
Totally loved Sha Na Na. Bower was awesome. Everything Johnny does is also terrific. If you like this you have to listen to his "Remember Then". He has a lot of good work uploaded here.
verchote 1 year ago
I am usually NOT in favor of anyone doing anything Roy Orbison ever did but MY GOD Johnny does that song better than Roy!!!!! Would love to see him live someday. Lol to think my childhood crush was on Bowzer and to look back now I'm like huh???
wyldmountnhoney 1 year ago 4
I have heard others sing this and I must say Johnny does it the best!
VanDowall 1 year ago 3
Not many could do justice to this song like roy orbison. Contardo does a brilliant version
Treefrogs2 1 year ago
AMAZING!!!
cevc918 1 year ago
That's one cool dude. And that Voice!
35150Alabama 1 year ago 2
Outstanding! We gotta get this stuff on DVD or on demand. It's too amazing to be forgotten!
AnitaLife27 1 year ago 3
What an angelic voice...and that face. He works that gold stretch suit!
peequod 1 year ago 3
Looks like there might be a brawl for Johnny!!! You know tuppy will be there too!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
let me sharpen my claws!! lol!!!!!!
tuppy20 1 year ago
Too funny! I knew you would want to attend the Johnny's girls smackdown!!
SkippyWalls 1 year ago
@SkippyWalls There's no need to fight, there is enough Johnny for all of us....LOL
sweetipie1965 1 year ago
There is just enough Johnny for one, uh that would be MOI!!!!!
SkippyWalls 1 year ago
I'm tellin' Elliot !!!!! Besides that... not if I get to him first, I'll tranquilize the competition He's my bella bambino
sweetipie1965 1 year ago
I don't know what you girls are going on about.... it's just going to be me and him on the bike!!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
65wendym 2 years ago
In the immortal words of Capt. Jack Sparrow..."Just keep tellin' yourself that darlin'....lol. I make a deal with you, I'll take first ride, and then if there's any JC left..you can have him....Sounds like a plan to me LOLOL
sweetipie1965 2 years ago
Does anyone have the tv show versions of: Sandy, You Cant Sit Down, Peppermint Twist, Only You and Dream Lover? How about the Artificial Flowers skit? If so, please post soon!!! Thanks!!!
ThisOldCubGal 2 years ago
LOVE THIS... love Sha Na Na and Johnny, wooooooooooooo... sing it to me BABY!
DERedhead65 2 years ago
Isn't he fabulous???
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
YESSSSS he was just "Dreamy" I believe is the word lol... he was my favorite and then Santini, so sexy... but Johnnie OH MY he was TOPS! lol
DERedhead65 2 years ago
That is me too!!!! Adore Johnny, Santini is next. You must see santini sing My True Story! He is really good!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
I will look it up, and thank you...
DERedhead65 2 years ago
aahhh... watching and listening to Johnny.......Merry Christmas to me!!!!
tuppy20 2 years ago 4
lol. I get a song-asm at 2:16 EVERYTIME!!!
ghostswerepeopletoo 2 years ago 2
All of Johnnys do that to me! He makes me happy!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago 3
Hey, that's a new way to put it. Kewl!! Luv it!!
tuppy20 2 years ago
oh, me too!!! whoooo.....
tokenbabe 2 years ago
Yes, Johnny is my fave but you really need to check out Santini singing My True Story. He is fabulous!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Whenever I listen to this performance (which is quite often!), I feel like he's going to slip into falsetto at the end, but he sings it in full voice. That's pretty amazing...it's really high, even for a tenor. If the sound is coming through accurately over my computer, then I think this is the same key in which Orbison sang it.
opus2000pgm 2 years ago
I think you might be right. Johnny's range and his strength in voice are incredible!! Nice to look at too!!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
He's absolutely amazing in every sense of the word! So glad he's still performing!
65wendym 2 years ago
God, that was beautiful.
nomicrowave 2 years ago
simply amazing
robaxx 2 years ago
Doesn't matter how many times I watch, he's just amazing.
sangria4 2 years ago 2
Wow. And that was live. Awesome range and control. I was mistakenly under the impression that kd lang was the only singer who could do Roy's song justice besides Roy. This guy obviously never got the credit he deserved.
fifthqdrnt 2 years ago
100% in agreement. He sings falsetto in other songs and you're right his range is awesome. Live too!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
with out johnny there would have been no sna na na
689321546 2 years ago 13
I love how you think!
tuppy20 2 years ago
Who in their right mind would want to make Johnny cry? I volunteer to wipe your eyes!!!!!
65wendym 2 years ago 2
Roy's good - Johnny runs away with this one.
tuppy20 2 years ago 9
We needed Roy to write it though! ;-) Love Johnny's voice. Wish these lives versions were available on a cd or download from itunes. Thanks for the post.
Zyrtez 2 years ago
No, to be sure, IMHO he'll never replace Roy, but damn, he was really good. Talk about a very pleasant surprise.
12reflect 2 years ago
Almost as good as TERRY FATOR (NORM)
21536987 2 years ago
very very very good suprised me ...(NORM)
21536987 2 years ago
Johnny? Come take me away...
ghostswerepeopletoo 2 years ago
can I come too?
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Of course you can!!!
ghostswerepeopletoo 2 years ago
How sweet. Nice of you to share!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
He's good,but you'll never hear anyone surpass the late great Roy Orbison's original.
banner74 2 years ago
You're right but Johnny comes pretty close.
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Very true, sir. Very true indeed. But I also agree with Skippy..He is pretty darn close...
ghostswerepeopletoo 2 years ago
how did chico die?
scorzeny45 2 years ago
who is chico
sukes58 2 years ago
It was never disclosed how Chico [bass player] died.
AGibsonJ 2 years ago
was he italian or a puerto rican?
scorzeny45 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
why ask a question like that it doesnt matter and it shouldnt matter he is and still is a great singer
immaguardian 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm pretty sure he was Italian but with a voice and face like that who GIVES A CRAP!!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Go Skippy!!!!
tuppy20 2 years ago
Thanks Tuppy!! Us Contardoholics need to stick togethr!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Skippy, this was before I met you.... what did you say??? Bad girl!! LOL LOL LOL
65wendym 2 years ago
Somebody made a remark about Johnny straddling the rail on remember Then and ALL I said was "I wish he was strad... never mind." I didn't even finish the sentence!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
I rather liked that remark, actually!
opus2000pgm 2 years ago
Thanks, I rather enjoyed the thought!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Oh, Skippy, Skippy, Skippy!!! LOL That's what you get for typing nasty thoughts LOL!!! I'D NEVER do something like that!! LMAOPMP!!!!
65wendym 2 years ago
Wendy, Wendy, Wendy, everyone took it wrong!! I was going to say " I wish he was straddling a horse and riding off into the sunset with me," And if you buy that bull.....
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Yeah, ok... if you say so.... how come I don't buy it??? LOL
65wendym 2 years ago
What, didn't I sound sincere?
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Shouldn't that be straddling a Harley...(Harley Davidson Motorcycle for those of you not familiar with the term..lol ) He was after all a greaser...lol
sweetipie1965 2 years ago
Do you know Johnny does ride a Harley?? Sexy!!
SkippyWalls 2 years ago
Yes, have you seen the photo on his site of him riding? I'll be his 'monkey' any time...lol