John J. Esposito

John J. Esposito, 70, of Cumberland, MD, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home.
Born October 13, 1955, in Cumberland, he was the son of Margaret (Cooner) Esposito and the late John V. Esposito. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by a niece, Cara Petrini.
John was a graduate of Allegany High School class of 1973. He attended Allegany Community College and graduated with a degree in Multimedia Technology. In addition to playing in numerous bands in Cumberland and the DC area during the 70's, 80's, and 90's, he worked at Keyboard World at the mall in LaVale.
John's passion for music started early in life after hearing George Harrison perform with the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. He was also influenced by his uncle, jazz guitarist Bo Cooner. John and his brother Michael made play guitars out of wood and cardboard and sang and played along with records. A real acoustic guitar was purchased for John and he started taking lessons with Frank Yokus. After a year, Mr. Yokus recognized John's gifted abilities to hear music and figure out the notes instantly, and suggested the talented Al Homburg to teach him chord progressions. John was one of the first guitarists to play the folk masses at St. Patrick's church. He soon owned his first electric guitar, and his brother Michael started playing drums. In 1967 one of the youngest "Boy Bands" in Cumberland began learning and practicing songs for a year under the direction of Pat Watson. John Esposito was age 12, Eddy Blizzard, age 12, Larry Watson, age 11, and Michael Esposito, age 10. They named the band The Immortals, and while being chaperoned, they started playing gigs in Maryland and West Virginia. Their band won 2nd place in the Battle of the Bands competition at the National Guard Armory in 1970. Flutter took first place. The Immortals were the youngest musicians to ever join the Musicians Union of Cumberland, MD.
After performing for several years with The Immortals, John and Michael, along with Barry Gurley, one of the most talented keyboard players in Cumberland, formed the band Songbook in 1979. John subsequently played in several area bands, including Infinity and Sierra.
John learned many songs while listening to a record or tape, feeling the music, and hearing the chords. He was able to master entire songs in minutes. He had much admiration for some of the finest guitarists in the music industry, and claimed that Alan Holdsworth was the best guitarist he had ever heard.
John was talented and funny, probably one of the best when it came to telling jokes, due to his incredible memory. He used to make his father laugh by repeating lines from movies and TV shows. He played baseball in Little League and was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys football fan. John was a dedicated son to his mother after his father passed away in 2010. He promised his father that he would always care for her. They were great companions for one another. John valued all of his friends and loved his family.
In addition to his mother, John is survived by a son, Vincent Michael Esposito, his sister, Cyndi Esposito Haskins and brother in-law David, his brother Michael Esposito and sister in-law Laurie, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many cousins who loved him like a brother.
In accordance with his wishes, John was cremated, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date sometime in early spring.