johnny mastro

Biography

Johnny Maestro, born John Peter Mastrangelo on May 7, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, was a pioneering American singer best known for his work in the doo-wop and pop genres. Raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Maestro began his music career in 1957 as the original lead singer of The Crests, one of the first interracial vocal groups in the recording industry. The Crests achieved major success with hits such as '16 Candles,' which peaked at No. 2 on the US charts in 1959, as well as 'Step by Step,' 'The Angels Listened In,' and 'Trouble in Paradise.' Maestro’s smooth tenor and emotive delivery helped define the group’s sound and contributed to the enduring popularity of their recordings.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

After leaving The Crests in 1961, Maestro pursued a solo career, scoring Top 40 hits with 'Model Girl' and 'What a Surprise.' In 1968, he joined forces with The Del-Satins—a group known for backing Dion on his post-Belmonts hits—and the Long Island band Rhythm Method, forming the 11-piece ensemble Brooklyn Bridge. Their debut single, 'The Worst That Could Happen,' became a gold record and reached No. 3 on the charts in 1969. The group followed with additional hits, including 'Blessed Is the Rain,' 'Welcome Me Love,' and 'Your Husband, My Wife.' Maestro continued to perform with various lineups of Brooklyn Bridge until his death from cancer on March 24, 2010, in Cape Coral, Florida, leaving a lasting legacy as a key figure in American vocal group history.[2][3][4][6]

Fun Facts

• The Crests, with Maestro as lead, were one of the first interracial vocal groups to achieve mainstream success in the United States.[1][5]
• The name 'Brooklyn Bridge' was inspired by a friend’s joke that with so many members, the band had as much chance of success as selling the Brooklyn Bridge.[5]
• Brooklyn Bridge’s hit 'The Worst That Could Happen' earned a gold record and was performed on The Ed Sullivan Show.[4][6]
• The song 'Your Husband, My Wife' by Brooklyn Bridge stirred controversy in 1969 due to its theme of infidelity.[6]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Dion DiMucci - Indirect influence; The Del-Satins, who later joined Maestro in Brooklyn Bridge, were Dion's backing vocalists and brought doo-wop and rock influences to Maestro's later work. (Dion's solo hits (Del-Satins as backing vocalists), Brooklyn Bridge material) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

• The Crests - Original group; Maestro was lead singer and key creative force. ('16 Candles,' 'Step by Step,' 'The Angels Listened In,' 'Trouble in Paradise') [1957-1961]
• The Del-Satins - Merged with Maestro and Rhythm Method to form Brooklyn Bridge. (Brooklyn Bridge albums and singles) [1968-2010]
• Rhythm Method - Long Island band that formed the instrumental core of Brooklyn Bridge. (Brooklyn Bridge albums and singles) [1968-2010]

Artists Influenced

• Oldies and doo-wop revival acts - Maestro's work with The Crests and Brooklyn Bridge inspired later generations of doo-wop and vocal harmony groups. (Numerous tribute performances and covers of '16 Candles' and 'The Worst That Could Happen') [1970s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. 16 Candles (Troubles in Paradise)
2. 16 Candles (For Collectors Only)
3. Earth Angel (Troubles in Paradise)
4. The Angels Listened In (Troubles in Paradise)
5. Step By Step (Troubles in Paradise)
6. Trouble in Paradise (The Amazing Crests)
7. Earth Angel - Stereo (For Collectors Only)
8. Trouble in Paradise (Troubles in Paradise)
9. In the Still Of the Night (Unreleased Version) (Troubles in Paradise)
10. The Way You Look Tonight (Troubles in Paradise)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia