Johnny A.

Johnny A.
Johnny A. playing at the Twilight Festival on June 14, 2007.
Background information
Born	(1952-11-14) November 14, 1952 (age 64) Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Genres	Instrumental rock, jazz, blues
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Aglaophone Records, Favored Nations, Artemis
Associated acts	The Yardbirds, Peter Wolf, Bobby Whitlock
Website	www.johnnya.com

John Antonopoulos (born November 14, 1952 in Malden, Massachusetts), known as Johnny A., is an American guitarist and songwriter.

Born in Malden, Massachusetts of Greek heritage and growing up in Boston area, Johnny A. became interested in music, starting with drums at age six. Upon being exposed to The Beatles in 1964 (age 11), Johnny's parents bought him a $49 Lafayette Electronics guitar. Johnny says his last name, Antonopoulos (of Greek origin), was always getting mispronounced. "It's always been Johnny A. since age eight," he says.

In the 1970s, Johnny A. formed a band called The Streets, performing mostly in the Boston area. The Streets had several extremely popular radio singles including the #1 "What Gives" on the legendary WBCN Radio "The Rock of Boston". As well as headlining on the Boston club scene, The Streets toured with or supported several major artists including Aerosmith, Bob Seger. The Streets also competed in the first WBCN "Rock 'n' Roll Rumble in 1979.

In 1980, Johnny formed the band Hidden Secret which also had a string of local hit singles including "No More Lonely Nights", which occupied the top spot on 'BCN for 26 weeks.

In 1986, His band, Hearts On Fire, as well continuing to produce hit local singles, placed second in the 1986 WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble only to be edged out by Gang Green.

In the 1980s through the 1990s As a sideman, Johnny played with Santana percussionist Mingo Lewis as well as brief stint with Creedence Clearwater Revival drummer Doug Clifford and then with Delaney & Bonnie, Derek & the Dominos keyboardist Bobby Whitlock. He then began a seven-year stint as guitarist and musical director with The J. Geils Band front man Peter Wolf. He played on Wolf's albums, and co-produced one of them, Long Line 1996 (4 stars - Rolling Stone), as well as joining him on world tours.