I agree that Johnny was the best one to do a tribute to Roy Orbison but he never recorded it out of respect for Roy so most people not familiar with the TV show never heard it. Roy was unique. His 3 octave range even made Elvis nervous. Even though Elvis had the edge ,he refused to do anything Roy had done. He really liked Roy. When Roy was overseas on tour and his family were all killed in the house fire, Elvis himself called him. As a result ,Roy wrote and recorded Crying which hit number one. It was dedicated to his family. Johnny is good but Roy owns this song. 😢😢😢😢😢
A masterpiece of talent and a performance that demonstrates what a great performer Johnny is. I am so glad he has returned to music for all to enjoy. A great post!
It is a shame that we have to get old. These guys had the greatest show. Johnny had the best voice around and really looked the part of a 60's teen idol.
I listened to an interview of Johnny Contardo on Jeff Rense this eveining. Amazingly, he said Roy contacted Johnny to let him know he did this song better than he! Better still these guys had talent behind them, no digital alchemy was available then. Thank you faerydancer for posting this.video.
Just drop the mic and walk away in triumph, Johnny, you just killed that song! Vocally and emotionally, he masters every moment - right up there among his very best performances. Perfection...
When you say put Sha Na Na back on TV do you mean the old shows or do you mean bring back Sha Na Na ? If you mean the old shows, that's one thing but if you mean the group as they are now, well some of them are dead and the rest are old. There is a touring group of sha na na with 3 from the 70's show but it's not the same.
This man, and this band, absolutely can bring the emotion and heart and soul of the lyrics of ANYTHING they orchestrate, and sing and play. WOW these guys just ROCK!!!
I loved watching ShaNaNa on TV when I was a kid. They were all cool guys, but Johnny was truly in a league all of his own in terms of having "the voice"...
Johnny’s voice is like silk... absolute perfection. So incredibly underrated. I’m sure he has great memories with sha na na, but he could have easily had legendary status with that voice, those looks, had he gone solo.
Its us who should be Thanking you!!!!! so here goes....from all us millions of Johnny Contardo and Sha na na fans, thank you so much, for sharing your wonderful voice(s) with us and giving us all so much pleasure, we love u nita xxx
Johnny did more than just sing songs, he was the whole package. Visual as well as vocal performer. This is one of my favorites by him. He not only caught your attention but he pulled on your every heart string with this particullar performance.
Okay, so I have not watched Sha Na Na since I was a kid and listening to Johnny sing this and others makes me realize how great of a vocalist (not singer) he is/was. The control in his range is nothing short of brilliant.
@spiritofshiloh Hi. I can only imagine being that close to him lol. This song is one of my fave's and Johnny does it complete justice and then some. His emotional delivery is beyond compare and then couple it with that VOICE and you have magic. Glad to meet another Johnny Contardo fan but I'm still jealous that you got to stand next to him. Kudos to you and your sister. A great memory.
Man, you would never catch any of today's pop stars ACTUALLY singing live with no overdubs or voiceovers! Sad to see Chico at the end, though...he died way too young. RIP, Chico...
I know exactly what you mean. It doesn't matter how many times I hear Johnny, I'm still AMAZED at how wonderful he is. He really touches my heart, and he is still great!
Roy showed up at a Sha concert asking to meet Johnny.. Johnny had left the band not long before that show . He thought Johnny did it better than himself .
How dare this man make middle aged women puddles of goop when we listen to him sing? I hope he continues to do so because we like being puddles for Johnny Contardo. Orbison really had little stage presence but could sing his butt off. Johnny on the other hand could sing his butt off and it was like watching a broadway production with his stage presence. He made you think he was singing just to you and not millions. That my friends is a true entertainer.
Johnny rules! what a sweet and beautuful voice - amazing range - I miss watching you - but, have your songs to listen to - and to share - Hey paison -from my heart to yours - thank you! Dj
@buddyeagle I still think it's great that Johnny found out about it. I wish he had told Johnny personally, but at least the message got delivered albeit after the death of Roy. Both men excelled with their voices, and I think it was very generous of Roy to give Johnny this wonderful compliment. Thanks for responding.
I fell in love this man when I was in my early teens, and seeing him again I know I am still in love with him. His voice is so beautiful, and he is just so gorgeous. Stay in my heart Johnny. XXXX
Johnny at 60 is still one of the best! There is a video up here of Bowzer, Lenni and Johnny singing "Lovers never say goodbye". All three of them are still fantastic! Jonnny has continued to tour with fantastic reviews since leaving Sha Na Na. He has an ageless magnificent voice like Johnny Maestro did right to his last concert. Johnny comes the closest to Orbison voice.
@MrsLederer He still sounds great at 62 and having used his voice to make a living for decades, that's saying something. Most of them wear it out completely. No one is going to sound at 60 the way they did in their prime but Johnny still sings beautifully and is such a class act. I would not hesitate to buy tickets to hear him. His fans drug him out of retirement and I'm darn glad he listened.
This will be sung at my Halloween Party. The band always does this one for me. I sing along. The man that does the lead is excellent. Is he Johnny Contardo? Who is? But he is Italian and he can hold his own and then some. Johnny would approve.
To hear Johnny Contrado sing Crying, would definately make Roy Orbison proud.
He did see them.
Musician here. I listen to this guy when I want to hear crying. Oh, Roy's got it. But Johnny owned that. A real performer.
Agreed
I agree that Johnny was the best one to do a tribute to Roy Orbison but he never recorded it out of respect for Roy so most people not familiar with the TV show never heard it. Roy was unique. His 3 octave range even made Elvis nervous. Even though Elvis had the edge ,he refused to do anything Roy had done. He really liked Roy. When Roy was overseas on tour and his family were all killed in the house fire, Elvis himself called him. As a result ,Roy wrote and recorded Crying which hit number one. It was dedicated to his family. Johnny is good but Roy owns this song. 😢😢😢😢😢
Amen brother!!!
Forget Roy Orbison or The Maverick's Raul Malo's version...Johnny blows them both out of the water. Johnny's incredible!!!!
I love this man!
What a voice!
I could listen to him for hours!
Thank you Johnny for sharing
your fabulous gift with the world!
The best version ever. Considering it's a Roy Orbison song, that is a huge statement. He knocked this one out of the park.
If Johnny had been born 20 years earlier Elvis would be known as the prince of rock and roll.
Thanks everyone!
-Johnny
Thank you Sir
We were blessed to have such a voice during these tough times. God bless you Johnny!
Saw you guys live back in the 70's in Chattanooga. Great show. You da man.
Oh, that falsetto!
(swoons)
Incredibly timeless
Johnny is my All Time Favorite singer ever. I am 76 years old and still dance to all his songs like I was 16. ❤
A masterpiece of talent and a performance that demonstrates what a great performer Johnny is. I am so glad he has returned to music for all to enjoy. A great post!
Johnny Contardo is one of the great, unsung geniuses of American music. Beautiful and brilliant in every way.
Agreed!
Johnny Contardo in his prime is quite possibly the best singer of all-time. Perhaps rivaled by Donny Osmond, but not many others.
No hes a asshole he said my mom has no chance at singing and wouldn't even give he a chance
Oh, God, yeah!
I cannot agree with you more. A most brilliant singer and magnificient stage presence
It is a shame that we have to get old. These guys had the greatest show. Johnny had the best voice around and really looked the part of a 60's teen idol.
No no no!! It's great to be old now and young back then!! We had the the best decades of music. Blessed indeed!
I listened to an interview of Johnny Contardo on Jeff Rense this eveining. Amazingly, he said Roy contacted Johnny to let him know he did this song better than he!
Better still these guys had talent behind them, no digital alchemy was available then. Thank you faerydancer for posting this.video.
Just drop the mic and walk away in triumph, Johnny, you just killed that song! Vocally and emotionally, he masters every moment - right up there among his very best performances. Perfection...
If he had dropped the mic my 13 year old heart would have been finished!!!! I'm 51 and still get chills from his version...
Johnny’s singing sounds better every time I hear it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I'm 24 years old and Johnny's voice and talent have reached my heart in an age where music is so morally bankrupt! incredible sound on vinyl.
Let's put Sha Na Na back on t.v.!! Better than the crap they're showing on there now! Thanks for the memories Johnny, what a voice ! ! !
Amen!!
Agree. Unfortunately, copyright issues will probably not allow. 💔
I was little when their show was on. Can’t remember anything except for Bowser and that I loved them.
doctommy tv’s in caves?
When you say put Sha Na Na back on TV do you mean the old shows or do you mean bring back Sha Na Na ? If you mean the old shows, that's one thing but if you mean the group as they are now, well some of them are dead and the rest are old. There is a touring group of sha na na with 3 from the 70's show but it's not the same.
This man, and this band, absolutely can bring the emotion and heart and soul of the lyrics of ANYTHING they orchestrate, and sing and play. WOW these guys just ROCK!!!
The most beautiful face that I've ever seen with the most beautiful voice I've ever heard! Johnny, you are amazing!!
He hits those high notes with perfection!
I just recently discovered Sha Na Na and am awestruck!!
I loved watching ShaNaNa on TV when I was a kid. They were all cool guys, but Johnny was truly in a league all of his own in terms of having "the voice"...
Johnny’s voice is like silk... absolute perfection. So incredibly underrated. I’m sure he has great memories with sha na na, but he could have easily had legendary status with that voice, those looks, had he gone solo.
Its us who should be Thanking you!!!!! so here goes....from all us millions of Johnny Contardo and Sha na na fans, thank you so much, for sharing your wonderful voice(s) with us and giving us all so much pleasure, we love u nita xxx
Johnny did more than just sing songs, he was the whole package. Visual as well as vocal performer. This is one of my favorites by him. He not only caught your attention but he pulled on your every heart string with this particullar performance.
Love Johnnys beautiful voice..miss the ShaNaNa show, never missed it!♡♡♡
Even Roy would agree! Johnny knocked this one out of the ballpark!
Roy admitted Johnny did it better.
Nobody sang it better. Beautiful song.
This performance never fails to give me the chills!
I agree 100%
What an incredible voice.
Well done.
Okay, so I have not watched Sha Na Na since I was a kid and listening to Johnny sing this and others makes me realize how great of a vocalist (not singer) he is/was. The control in his range is nothing short of brilliant.
I love johnny singung beause he has a great voice when he sings crying
Johnny you're just amazing wowie zowie.
This is the very best crying from history. I still can't find another that improves it
LOVE THIS... love Sha Na Na and Johnny, wooooooooooooo... sing it to me BABY!
I love how you think!
THE LATE ROY ORBINSON WOULD BE TICKLED OVER THIS! ENJOYED, VERY COMPLIMENTARY, THANKS!!
Beautiful voice,beautiful man!Love ya,Johnny!😗
****FOUR STARS ~ Johnny Contardo nails this song.
Makes singing look effortless! Amazing!
The MAN can sing!
No kidding, I know the name and love Sha Na Na watched the show all the time it was on TV.
That was fantastic!
Thank you Johnny....Awesome !!
What an amazing man!!! I miss Sha na na .....Those were the good days when you could actually understand the vocals!!!! Johnny, you are awesome!!!
I have heard others sing this and I must say Johnny does it the best!
Roy Orbison songs are hard to sing . Johnny did a great job !
These guys do such a great job with covers. Not many can come close with the great Roy Orbinson's songs and his magnificent voice.
Now Orbinson and Contardo are singing a duet in Heaven to teen angels.
Johnny's alive & well!
viewingut Oh. My mistake. Well, at least Roy is smiling from Heaven and singing along with Johnny.
He better be I have a singing lesson with him tomorrow.
@spiritofshiloh Hi. I can only imagine being that close to him lol. This song is one of my fave's and Johnny does it complete justice and then some. His emotional delivery is beyond compare and then couple it with that VOICE and you have magic. Glad to meet another Johnny Contardo fan but I'm still jealous that you got to stand next to him. Kudos to you and your sister. A great memory.
Johnny had the passionate voice!!! He can kill any ballad!!!
Johnny, we must all be inspired by your voice. Such energy and passion for the most beautiful songs of this era. Tks.
Great song! Loved watching him when I was a kid! Great voice!!
Man, you would never catch any of today's pop stars ACTUALLY singing live with no overdubs or voiceovers!
Sad to see Chico at the end, though...he died way too young. RIP, Chico...
Johnny nailed this song!!
Yessssss!
Very heartfelt and beautiful!
Just about as smooth as Orbison... and that's a compliment of the highest degree.
Johnny Contardo - one of the greatest velvet throats ever. Sadly underrated.
It takes real stones to cover a Roy Orbison song. Johnny does a great job.
He did not kill the song, but he's no Roy Orbison.
@@sphinxrising1129 I think Johnny was a better singer than Roy.
Definitely definitely
@@True_Christian Not even close. Loved Johnny and he surely hits the notes, but Roy's voice was angelic and one of a kind, IMHO.
Johnny rules, Johnny rocks, Johnny reigns. Johnny forever.
YESSSSS he was just "Dreamy" I believe is the word lol... he was my favorite and then Santini, so sexy... but Johnnie OH MY he was TOPS! lol
There's only one Johnny Contardo! Bravo!
What a voice...yet most people wouldn't even know the name johnny contardo. That's a shame.
Johnny was, without a doubt, their best vocalist by far.
I know exactly what you mean. It doesn't matter how many times I hear Johnny, I'm still AMAZED at how wonderful he is. He really touches my heart, and he is still great!
Bravissimo!!!!! Johnny. Love it!!!
This version still raises the hair on the back of my neck. A also heard Roy Orbison loved it too !
Roy showed up at a Sha concert asking to meet Johnny.. Johnny had left the band not long before that show .
He thought Johnny did it better than himself .
aahhh... watching and listening to Johnny.......Merry Christmas to me!!!!
God, that was beautiful.
Outstanding! We gotta get this stuff on DVD or on demand. It's too amazing to be forgotten!
Good Lord. This always holds up for me. Absolutely amazing.
I luv this version by Johnny!!!
How dare this man make middle aged women puddles of goop when we listen to him sing? I hope he continues to do so because we like being puddles for Johnny Contardo. Orbison really had little stage presence but could sing his butt off. Johnny on the other hand could sing his butt off and it was like watching a broadway production with his stage presence. He made you think he was singing just to you and not millions. That my friends is a true entertainer.
talent like this i dont think exist anymore, thats a voice to fall in love with
Always looked so forward to watch the Sha Na NA show.Loved when Johnny was featured to sing.Was so in love with his voice.His voice is flawless
What an angelic voice...and that face. He works that gold stretch suit!
wish the singers these days sounded like this awesome voice
Johnny rules! what a sweet and beautuful voice - amazing range - I miss watching you - but, have your songs to listen to - and to share - Hey paison -from my heart to yours - thank you! Dj
@OneHokie4Life I could not agree more. When it came to delivery and stage presence no one beats Johnny. He took you there and held you there.
He could sing ANYTHING. ❤️
@buddyeagle I still think it's great that Johnny found out about it. I wish he had told Johnny personally, but at least the message got delivered albeit after the death of Roy. Both men excelled with their voices, and I think it was very generous of Roy to give Johnny this wonderful compliment. Thanks for responding.
Oh, Johnny! What a Voice! I adore you, baby
Roy Orbison is looking down from rock n role heaven and applauding. Thanks for this wonderful post.
superior voice...one of the best voices of this genre
I always loved to hear Johnny sing His voice is so professional and really excellent.
So full of earnest, youthful longing. Just beautiful.
WOW! I am surprised! His voice sounds great on this song! Good job Johnny!
I fell in love this man when I was in my early teens, and seeing him again I know I am still in love with him. His voice is so beautiful, and he is just so gorgeous. Stay in my heart Johnny. XXXX
WOW
Wonderful cover of a great song by an incredible singer.
Amazing sounds & so,so good --from a 70yo Aussie fan.
1:44 You nailed in Johnny, don't get no better than that !
I am back to listen to Johnny:)
Johnny at 60 is still one of the best! There is a video up here of Bowzer, Lenni and Johnny singing "Lovers never say goodbye". All three of them are still fantastic! Jonnny has continued to tour with fantastic reviews since leaving Sha Na Na. He has an ageless magnificent voice like Johnny Maestro did right to his last concert. Johnny comes the closest to Orbison voice.
Geez! I really miss this show. Bring it back
@MrsLederer He still sounds great at 62 and having used his voice to make a living for decades, that's saying something. Most of them wear it out completely. No one is going to sound at 60 the way they did in their prime but Johnny still sings beautifully and is such a class act. I would not hesitate to buy tickets to hear him. His fans drug him out of retirement and I'm darn glad he listened.
This dude could sing, Don't know why he didn't go with the big time,
Johnny Contardo did this just as good as Roy Orbison,maybe even better.
This will be sung at my Halloween Party. The band always does this one for me. I sing along. The man that does the lead is excellent. Is he Johnny Contardo? Who is? But he is Italian and he can hold his own and then some. Johnny would approve.
Unbelievable voice!!
He. Owned. This. Song!!
johnny boy, I remember you from endicott street...we were both kids.
Perfection..I am in awe of this gorgeous and most talented man...much love to you Johnny!!♥
I listened to it this morning and it is beautiful. Wow. 4 days without electric and water in Texas I needed this song. So amazing.