Cream of Farina

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

I was happy to learn of S&J's induction into
the HOF. I have know'n these two fellows before they started shaving.

I want to acknowledge a friend and uncle of Santo & Johnny,,,his name is Mike Dee,,he was
the driving force behind the success of these
two boys.

The first time I met them,,,was way back before their rise to the top of the charts,the group was called,,,Mike Dee and
"The Mello Tones" which consisted of the three of them,,,,Mike is 80 years young and looks and acts the same as he did those many
years ago,. I wanted to post this about Mike as he deserves to share in Santo & Johnnys success story.

Mike played drums on the original "Canadian"
American" recording of "Sleep Walk". Mike was the "beat" behind the boys.

I will copy this and send this to my friend
Mike,,I know he will ne honored to see that
he is remembered. Who said "drummers" weren't important?

he was and always will be
that, as well as a good friend. Mike does not have a computer,,but I will copy this and give it to him when I see him.

Copyright (C) by Jody Carver 2005 All Rights Reserved

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 June 2005 at 01:08 PM.]

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Well, Jody !! It's like Jim Cohen says: BEATS WALKING !!

Regards, Paul

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Some people like "Oatmeal" I like "Cream Of
Farina".....

bOb...Im bombing out here,,close this show,,
and I'll try "WHEATIES" next time...maybe throw in a few "prunes"

Close it pleeeze.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Save the Box tops,,,,,they may be worth something someday.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Better yet ,,,try "ALL BRAN" it keeps ya on the "GO". UP TEMPO,,

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

It's amazing, the longevity of "Sleepwalk" and how great an influence it was and still is.

I loved the style of those days, the DA haircuts, the skinny ties,the sharkskin sport jackets, the pointed shoes.....I was born 10 years too late to really be in that generation. Now I don't have enough hair to get that squiggly thing in front, my feet cry out for comfortable shoes, I can't fit into tight pants, and sharks are biting back, taking limbs with them.

Oh well at this stage of the game, being born 10 years later is not so bad.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I also survived that era.....trowsers with 14" cuffs that you had to almost grease your feet to get 'em on (made all of your shoes look like size 18's), 2" ties with button down collars, short three button jackets (Beatles style).

My haircut was a ducktail on the sides, but a crew-cut on top......called a "boogie".

Then later we washed the "rose hair oil" out and went to the "dry" look, and the hair then fell down to our shoulders and that began another era.

.....but the most positive thing I remember about that time of life was that..."I was young!"

I try to remember that when I find myself getting "judgemental" about some of the today fads of young people! Bless 'em all, they are only young once!

....and for the thread, I must have played "Sleepwalk" a thousand times back then.....
www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 05 September 2002 at 08:54 AM.]

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

Johnny was a gentleman and cordial at the show.When he spotted my Spring Hill FL. home town on My badge we got into a conversation about Johnny Maestro who lives here in Spring Hill. Johhny still does shows with the Brooklyn Bridge that features J.M. as the lead singer. (remember sixteen candles)?Thas Johnny M. No one deserved to be in the H.O.F. more than S&J.Johnny showed us why too with a performance of a few songs and the only steel guitar song to ever win a "Grammy"."Sleepwalk". a great and deserving gentleman.As was Pee Wee Whitewing.

------------------
CJC

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

So Johnny was the steel player, correct? What instrument did Santo play? Which one of the two wrote Sleepwalk?

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

I met and talked with both Santo and Johnny in Canobie Park in N.H. in 1960 at a touring show they were part of with Duane Eddy and others and at that time Santo was the steel player and Johnny was the guitar player as shown on my Canadian American album in mono. I do say.As to who actually wrote the song i'm not sure but the credits on the sheet music I have from 1959 say Santo, Johnny and Ann Farina.
Don

George McLellan · From: Duluth, MN USA

Did anyone tell Johnny about the Forum? Ya never know, there may be a chance he's not aware of it. He'd sure be great asset to us. (IMHO of coarse)

I'm still whining to my wife about missing the ISGC this year.

------------------
SUAS U' PHIOB
Geo

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Santo played steel on all the recordings,,
Johnny played rhythm guitar,,till,,well,they both went their seperate ways.

No big problem with them,,the usual brother
thing,,I'll ask Mike to try to get Johnny to
check this Forum,,,however,,he is a laid back
kind of guy and keeps to himself.

Both of these guys are fine guys,. Gene,,did you ever use that "green pomade" on your hair? It would make the hair "pompadour" as hard as a rock,.

My mother wouldnt let me dress that way,,it was a white button down shirt,,trim plaid pants and "penny loafers"

Beleive me,,I still have the same suit I wore
with Mike Dee,,(for real),and the narrow ties
as well,,,I still like them,,its difficult to spill your lunch on a narrow tie,,Oh,Im getting one of those things again...sorry for
the "rambling" anybody can aske me to stop.

But remember,,Mike Dee was the "force" behind
Santo & Johnny and he's one of my dearest friends. I know Mike will enjoy this thread,,he dont have a computer and dont want
one,,,,he's living in the past,,and that past
was a GREAT time,,I think I'll join him. Look
at the "future" whats in it??? Saddam,,the mid-east...its horrible.

Take care

Copyright (C) by Jody Carver 2005 All Rights Reserved

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 June 2005 at 01:19 PM.]

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Jody,

I first heard "Sleepwalk" in my place of employment in the summer of 1960. I'm so glad that you have explained who originally did the hit recording. Gloria Pennington of National Music Foundation said in September of 1999, after hearing comments made about the two brothers, at our Annual Ma. Steel Guitar Bash, " Johnny Farina was one of the first entertainers to come to the Foundation, and what a wonderful time he provided for the audience. When I go home tonight, I'm going to call Johnny, and ask him if he would join us at next years S.G. Bash." According to Johnny, he was booked a year ahead at "Foxwoods Casino" in Ct. As it turned out, the N.M.F. relocated in New York City, and the Ma. Bash was held the following year in Lee, Ma. We were so fortunate in 1999, when "Buzz" Evans performed at our S. G. Bash, at the N.M.F. It was a lifetime gift from one of the greatest performers in today's world of steel guitar.

I hope to hear Johnny Farina in the future. If he books within a 100 mi. radius of Pittsfield, Ma., I would like to attend the show.

Bill H.

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

So if Santo played the steel guitar on all the recordings, why is Johnny the one who got voted into the SGHOF? Are you all sure that it was Santo who played the steel on Sleepwalk?

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Santo and Johnny were inducted together. Santo is out of the country either won't or refuses to return.

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

Santo is the steel player. Yes or no?

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Rich,,,ONE MORE TIME...S A N T O played
steel guitar on all the recordings. Johnny accepted the award on behalf of himself and
his brother. But it was presented in a manner
of the popularity of the recording.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND???? REPEAT..SANTO PLAYED THE STEEL ON THE ORIGINAL RECORDING ON CANADIAN/AMERICAN RECORDS. No I dont know what color suits they were wearing.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

They both play steel. Johhny played steel at the ISGC.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

I think we are probing into a personal matter
here. The writers of Sleepwalk were Santo & Johnny,,,Mike Dee their Uncle played drums on the date. Johnny never played steel until
they split up. There were three credits given to the three writers of Sleepwalk,,

Farina,Farina,Farina. It is a personal matter
where Santo resides at present. They both have homes in Plainview Long Island.

Santo is not in this country at the present time and "there is NO BAD BLOOD' between them. Its a personal matter and I dont feel it neccesary to go into a full explanation.

Didnt mean to be short with you Rich,,but I get phone calls and e mail re the very same question you asked,,,,it gets redundant,,and
If I caused you any discomfort Im sorry,,,

We all have our good days,,,,this has not been one of those days for me. Sorry my friend. The comments I make are the truth and
nothing but the truth. Im in touch with Mike every week and we seldom discuss this matter.

Copyright (C) by Jody Carver 2005 All Rights
Reserved

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 June 2005 at 01:21 PM.]

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

Like Jody said it was SANTO, SANTO ,SANTO. Who played steel on the songs.
I know what I saw and I talked to them for about 20 minutes and they had black suits and patent leather shoes.
And as Paul Harvey would say "That's the end of the story".
Don

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Thanks Don
You forgot to mention the color of their "ties"

SANTO, SANTO, SANTO, and Yes the CASE IS CLOSED.

Thanks your Honor.

They have been "aquitted"

and me as well.

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

So, then, you're saying that it was...SANTO?

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I remember seeing S&J on American Bandstand during the time Sleepwalk was a big hit. I remember that I didn't know what that thing was that Santo was playing, but I thought that it looked like it was really easy.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Out of curiosity,,,I called Mike,,you know know him as "The Uncle" I asked him what they were wearing the day they did the session??Mmmmm lemmmme see he replies,,,,,,

Oh yeah I remember..we were wearing "PAJAMAS"
I mean they were "walking in their sleep"....

Would you wear a "black tight fitting suit" if you were "Sleepwalking"???? and those pointed shoes "ouch"

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I call Mike the "Uncle" you can call me
The "Aunt"

spelled aunt..not "ant".

Yes Howard..how did you ever guess it was.

SANTO..SANTO..SANTO.. SANTO..

Thanks to all of you..

Santo & Johnnys "Aunt Jody" Oh how stupid of me to forget. Whenever you see an "Uncle" you'll find an "Aunt"...so if you have an "Uncle" look in his pants for "ants"

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 07 September 2002 at 08:20 PM.]

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

I have great respect for Santo & Johnny and I applaud Johnny's efforts in keeping the steel guitar alive.

I do think it's interesting how Johnny has made the transition from guitar player to steel player in recent years, filling his brother's shoes, and touring the casino circuit as "Johnny of the Original Guitar Duo Santo & Johnny". Of course "Sleepwalk" is always mentioned in the advertising. It is true that Johnny played on the original Sleepwalk... guitar, not steel. To make matters more confusing, Johnny recently re-recorded Sleepwalk on a new CD, and he sells the new version at his shows and on the internet.

I don't think the average listener really cares who played what instrument in a band. The average person doesn't know a steel guitar from a guitar anyway. I do think however that every steel player should be aware of who played Sleepwalk, and it irks me every time I read a post here on the steel forum where someone gives Johnny Farina credit for playing Sleepwalk.

IMHO Johnny is doing a positive thing by touring, playing, and promoting steel guitar... I'd rather see him doing it than not doing it. I just think it's important for steel players to know who Santo Farina was/is and to know the history of the instrument.

Okay... I'm putting on my flame-retardant suit!

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 07 September 2002 at 10:56 PM.]

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