Johnny La Rosa is gifted with a warm and powerful voice and he is an authentic, immaginative and versatile artist. An incredible histrion and you could write about him for hour and there would always remain something to say. He is also a composer and accomplished and imaginative guitarist , gifted with energy and taste.

Known everywhere for his enthusiastic concerts, his moving pieces, for the passion with wich he plays, in an unique and spontaneus way, which ha has perfected through the years, with long concerts tours.
Johnny’s story began at the end of 70’s when, with his rock-band “ No Quarter” he participated in a series of concerts at various rock events typical at that time: he was 17 years old.
The audience was immediately struck by his performances on stage and by his interpretation of pieces by Otis Redding , Rolling Stones, and classic artists of the time.

In the mid of 80’s Johnny changed his artistic taste , to follow the artists that influenced him the most. There were Willy De Ville , Springsteen, Van Morrison. He then founded the band “ B-Movie” with which he was able to widen his range of sound and horizons and to play in clubs around Italy.

In the beginning of the 90’s after abandoning the band “B-Movie” for different musical ideas, he decided to turn solo, just voice and guitar. He toured in clubs as a folk-singer performing songs taken from Dylan to Springsteen, and the masters of the blues: John Lee Hooker, Howlin’Wolf. In this period Johnny matured and defined his musical identity.

After a short spell with the cover band “ The Mambo Killers” towards the end of the 90’s he was asked to sing in a band made up of Mel Previte , Rigo Righetti, Robby Pellati (who are now the actual members of Luciano Ligabue’s band, a famous italian singer), Max Marmiroli (founder of the “ Rockin’ Chairs”). Johnny’s musical style was finally formed after meeting with these musicians , with whom he recorded two compilation albums for Sony : “ A tribute for you” dedicated to Bruce Springsteen, and “ This is my story”, a tribute to blues , edited by Ernesto De Pascale.

There was a definitive turning point at the end of the 90’s , he met the musicians Oscar Abelli, Martin Jotti, Paolo Campioli, and Max Marmiroli. They encouraged him to write an album of popular and original songs , where all his composing and expressive ability was completely developed.
Also his meeting with the Kayman Records label ( supported by the production of the americans: David Butterfield and Marc Wool ) was fundamental to convince Johnny to release his debut album.

In his “ Call me Johnny “ album Johnny and his musicians trace a new musical culture through the elaboration of sounds and arrangements .
Through these aspects they succeded in creating a musical message which goes back to the roots of American music . But at the same time takes on an original style characteristic of Johnny La Rosa’s musical expression . Therefore a record full of the soul which is necessary to bring the listener to a total emotional involvement.

CALL ME JOHNNY
[2001]