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.]

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.

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.]

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

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

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SUAS U' PHIOB
Geo

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.]

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.

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.

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.]

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

Thanks your Honor. They have been "aquitted"

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.]

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.]

quote:

---

The average person doesn't know a steel guitar from a guitar anyway.

---

Doug, let's face it... The average person doesn't know a steel guitar from a saw horse! Best, -Dave

------------------
Mullen (See! No "S") D-10
Photo page

Thats all I can say to you. You did pick up
the "theme" of "Softly as The Morning Sunrise". You have good ears my friend.

Amazing,,,,,thats what started it. and again
to those who refuse to listen. It was SANTO,SANTO,SANTO, you will get no arguments
from me....thats all History now.

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

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 08 September 2002 at 07:26 AM.]

It has turned into a session of "disputes" which is not unusual on this Forum.

I was not looking to open a bee's nest I only wanted to acknowledge a man who was the
"MAN" who started Santo & Johnny on their long voyage of fame.

When I see someone post something,,why is there always someone who takes issue??? If someone says...Its Black...another replies,,NO Its "Dark Navy Blue" another will
post,,,Its "white" another" says NO....Its
"off white" what is the problem here?

I will clarify a few points and the rest you can read in my book,,if you wish,,if not,,thats no problem either.

The names that appear as the writers of Sleep
Walk are,,Santo Farina, Johnny Farina, Anne
Farina,,Santo's wife.you got that?

Mike Dee is the uncle of Santo & Johnny.Mike's sister was the mother of Santo
& Johnny and thank God she is alive and well.

Santo& Johnnys dad passed away a short time back,,(see my tribute to Anthony Farina) Extended family that is now in the archives of this Forum.

Most of the early days prior to their recording of Sleepwalk,they played at a club on Long Islands North Shore,,the name of the club was "The Amber Inn".

I have known both of these fellows a good part of my life and have known Mike Dee as long as well.

I have had and still have the utmost respect
for both Santo and Johnny,,,whether they are
playing together or not. I regard both of them as friends,,,It is never been what they are,,but WHO they are that is most important to me.

Johnny has just completed a gig on a cruise
line prior to his being inducted into HOF.

Jerry Vale (ya know who he is??) and Frank Sinatra Jr.Thats Frank Sinatra's son,,( you know who he is??) there are times like this
that irritates the hell out of me,,and at this point I have run out of patience.

My sense of Humor is fading fast.I never thought that would happen.

Its like a ballplayer who loses the incentive
to get out there for the team and break his back to make a play.

Its like a Pilot who has been behind the controls and long overdue for rest or retirement.

I am suffering from F.F. thats what I refer to as "Forum Fatigue". Its no longer fun,,I have tried but have failed miserably. When the F.F. gets in the way..The time has come.

I have nothing more to add,,,and all the while I thought I was having fun,,. Sarcasim?
NO....just the facts as Joe Friday (would say) ya remember him.

I have no more patience to deal with e mails
degrading my character,,,I have no more interest to debates..this is NO LONGER FUN.

I Dont Care what color suit Johnny was wearing and whether or not he was wearing a tie,,,,,This was supposed to be about my friend MIKE DEE..Santo & Johnnys UNCLE,,Mikes
sister was Santo & Johnnys mother. Ya Got it
now???

It hard to please everyone,,,No I am not being run off here as others say when their leaving,,Im just TIRED of what I have read here and have read on this Forum since day one. I have made one post too many,,,ya know what I mean?? edited,,I couldn't leave without a
smile,,,,they cant take that away from me.

CopyRight(c) by Jody Carver 2005 All Rights Reserved

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 June 2005 at 01:06 PM.]

From what I understand, their split up was an amicable one. Santo was allowed to leave due to a stipulation in their contract, known as the "Santo Clause"....

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

I liked the picture you sent. We had jackets like that except they were black with white turtle-necks.

When Sleepwalk came out I returned to the steel.....and Sleepwalk became 2nd place to Steel-Guitar Rag for the most requested song from the customers of that era.

If there is a lesson in any of this (Sleepwalk & Steel Guitar Rag), it is...."keep it simple". www.genejones.com

MIKE WAS THE MAN BEHIND SANTO & JOHNNY,,,,,,,

I KNOW I WAS THERE. A Great drummer and more than anything else,,,a Wonderful friend..just
like YOU....MIKE DEE was and will always be
"THE CREAM OF FARINA TO ME".

God Be With You..

Jody. I will send you both my snail mail address.

Joey Ace,,This was "One For My Baby.........
"MIKE DEE and One More For The Road".

MIKE WAS DA MAIN MAN behind S&J..he is everybodys "Uncle" even your's. They DONT come any better than "UNCLE MIKE DEE" and you
can take that to the BANK. All banks have tellers...Im the TELLER HERE and you are at
my window,,,can I be of service sir?

THE END.edited for copyright (C) by Jody Carver 2005 All Rights Reserved

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 June 2005 at 01:04 PM.]

quote:

---

Just Imagine Folks the HOF inducts players from all over the whole world

---

code:

---

Sleepwalk  

Sleep Walk
'stead of dreamin', I
Sleep Walk
'cause I lost you and
now what am I to do
Can't believe that we're
through

Sleep Talk
'cause I miss you I
Sleep Talk
while the mem'ry of
you lingers like a song
Darling, I was so
wrong

The
night fills my lonely
place. I see your
face spin thru my
brain, I
know I want you
so
you and it drives me in-
sane

Sleep Walk
Every night I just
Sleep Walk
Please come back and when
you walk inside the door
I will Sleep Walk no
more!

---

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