Johnny Gamboa hails from Los Angeles, California. His musical background comes from his father Pepe who was an accomplished guitarist and designed one of the first three neck guitars
.
At the age of four, Johnny was already singing and playing a variety of percussion instruments. By twelve he was playing guitar and singing the songs of the time. In his first year of high school, he formed his own band naming it Johnny & The Crowns.
The original Crowns were Max Johnny & Danny. The band would later grow to 16 members and would include Jimmy Espinoza of Thee Midniters fame as a backing vocalist & bongo player.
In his senior year he was backing up the likes of Little Richard, Kathy Young, Ron Holden, Marvin & Johnny & the Olympics
.
In 1962, Johnny recorded "Why Lover" and "She's Never There" for Ron Barrett and Jack Nitzsche. The record was released on the Star Revue label (Star Revue 1003). "Why Lover" is one of the finest teen sounds ever recorded & the Star Revue release is extremely rare.
You May Listen To Johnny Gamboa "Why Lover" Here:
In 1964, The Johnny Gamboa Sextet played at The Salesian High School Rock & Roll Show and performed "Down At The Chicken Shack" and "Moody's Mood For Love". (See my post: VINYL CLASSICS - THE SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL ROCK & ROLL SHOWS).
The Johnny Gamboa Sextet band members:
John Sargent - bass, alto sax, backing vocals
Tito Molina - guitar, vocals
Glen Grab - cello
Johnny Gamboa - piano, vibes, guitar, vocals
Hank Wolfe - drums, vocals
Unknown Member - 2nd cello
Johnny later signed a recording contract with Epic records. In 1969, Johnny recorded "Good Feelin' Day" and "Kind & Good Woman" (Epic 5-10561)
Johnny became a very accomplished musician and learned to play 26 different instruments.
If you would like to hear more of Johnny's music, he has four CD releases.
"How Can I Compete" (2001)
"I Remember Joe" (2005)
"Man Of Wisdom" (2005)
I'm Still Here:
Johnny& The Crowns - In The Beginning (1959)
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!!!!
Solely for historical, educational and purposes and for listening pleasure
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