Johnny-Maestro-Obituary

Johnny Maestro

Obituary

NEW YORK (AP) - Singer Johnny Maestro, who performed the hit "16 Candles" with The Crests and enjoyed a decades-long career with The Brooklyn Bridge, has died of cancer. He was 70.

Les Cauchi, a friend and original Brooklyn Bridge member, said Maestro - born John Mastrangelo - died late Wednesday in Florida. His last residence was in Cape Coral, Fla.

After beginning his career in the 1950s with The Crests, Maestro joined a local New York group, The Del-Satins. It merged with a Long Island band, The Rhythm Method, to form Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge in 1968.

Hits by the rock 'n' roll and doo-wop group included "The Worst That Could Happen," which Cauchi said earned "gold record" status with a million sales.

Cauchi said the group performed that song on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Other hits included "Blessed is the Rain," "Welcome Me Love" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Cauchi recalled that another well-known song, "Your Husband, My Wife," drew controversy when it was released in 1969 because it dealt with infidelity - a touchy topic during that era.

"Johnny was a class act. He was truly a gentleman," singer Dion DiMucci said on Facebook. "He sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' like an angel. ... We thank you for the beautiful trip you took us on. Love and peace."

"Dion reached out to John over the last couple of months, when Johnny was sick, to encourage him and give him some spiritual guidance," Cauchi said.

The band got its name after a manager declared it would be "harder to sell than the Brooklyn Bridge," Maestro once said. He performed at arenas, amphitheaters and casinos throughout the U.S. and Europe.

"He's considered one of the premier vocalists in rock 'n' roll - and one of the nicest, most sincere perfectionists in music," said Cauchi.

Maestro's last performance was Jan. 17, when The Brooklyn Bridge was among groups appearing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. It was billed as "The Ultimate Doo-Wop Party."


Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press

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Every night I go to bed listening to Johnny. Awesome voice.Incredible voice and I pretend that he is still alive and entertaining me and all his other fans. 70 years old and far to young to die. We all loved you. RIP Johnny

Just saw a performance of yours with the Brooklyn. Bridge on TV station WQED in Pittsburgh PA. Fabulous and wish your type of music would make a comeback

One of the finest singers in rock. It is a travestery that Johnny is not in the Rock and Roll hall of fame.

Truly, truly the most beautiful voice of any male singers from the 50’s & 60’s
A Doo Wop diamond for sure.
I can’t even imagine Doo Wop without Johnny’s voice singing it. You will be dearly missed Johnny

Johnny Maestro was a true artist. His songs will always remain. He closed his concerts with "You never walk alone" and dedicated it to the service members over there so he could do this for them. Johnny will and has been missed. His life ended to short. I know you are singing lead in GOD's choir. Last night I watched DOO WHOP Generations and TJ had the Brooklyn Bridge on stage with a film of Johnny singing. It was great and reminded me of how missed you are. They also put up a...

Eevery time I hear him on the radio, I turn up the volue a bit and remember him singing at a cncert on Long Beach in '93 or '94. It was an Awards banquet for the collectors industry and Johnny sang so beautifully. It was so nice to meet him. When I turned 16 in 1980, my dad played that song for me and bought me a boquet of sweet pea flowers. It's a shme that Sweet 16s aren't a big deal any more. We'll lways remember Johnny Maestro!

Saw him at Shea Stadium, shook his hand as he was going to the stage, great voice!

Yes, he's surely singing with the angels now...