[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHNNY MAESTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great 
singer and humanitarian, John Mastrangelo, known to his fans, friends, 
and fellow musicians as Johnny Maestro. Johnny would have been 73 years 
old this week, and his influence on popular music and on the New York 
neighborhoods he loved so dearly is still being felt.
  John Mastrangelo was born on Manhattan's Lower East Side on May 7, 
1939, graduated from Charles Evans Hughes High School in 1956, and 
attended Borough of Manhattan Community College.
  In 1956, John Mastrangelo joined four teenage singers from 
Manhattan's Lower East Side to form The Crests. Their vocal harmony was 
innovative, combining elements of jazz, R&B, and early rock 'n' roll to 
become true pioneers of rock and roll music. They were one of the first 
integrated popular vocal groups. While the rest of the country was 
still struggling with the legacy of Jim Crow, The Crests--Johnny 
Maestro, who was Italian-American; three African Americans: J. T. 
Carter, Talmoudge Gough, and Patricia Van Dross (older sister of R&B 
great Luther Vandross); and Harold Torres, who was Puerto Rican--were 
recording groundbreaking music. With Johnny Maestro as the lead singer, 
The Crests recorded hits like ``16 Candles,'' ``Trouble in Paradise,'' 
``The Angels Listened In'' and ``Step by Step.''
  Following his time with The Crests, Johnny Maestro had a short solo 
career, and then joined another popular New York group, the Del-Satins, 
as lead singer. In 1968, they merged with a Long Island group, The 
Rhythm Method, to form The Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge 
recorded a series of hits, including ``Welcome Me Love,'' ``You'll 
Never Walk Alone,'' and ``Your Husband, My Wife.'' They had their 
biggest hit with Jimmy Webb's ``The Worst That Could Happen.'' Johnny 
Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge continued to perform for forty-two 
years. Johnny Maestro's exceptional tenor voice won accolades from fans 
and fellow musicians alike. His distinctive voice remained vibrant and 
strong throughout his fifty-three year career.
  Johnny Maestro was more than a great musician; he was also a great 
humanitarian. Johnny and the Brooklyn Bridge gave generously of their 
time, performing benefit concerts for numerous good causes.
  He performed at many fundraising events on Staten Island such as the 
Borough President's ``Back to the Beach'' concert. He also performed 
for the New York City Fire Department and Police Department, the United 
States Military, Italian American Association, as well as church and 
school fundraisers. He performed on the Jerry Lewis Telethon and as 
part of ``We Are the World,'' which raised funds for worldwide hunger 
relief.
  Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge were inducted into the Vocal 
Group Hall of Fame in 2005, the Long Island Hall of Fame in 2006, and 
the South Carolina Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, just to name a few of 
their many honors.
  On March 26, 2011, the City of New York honored him by renaming the 
intersection of Mason Avenue and Midland Avenue on Staten Island as 
``Johnny Maestro Way.''
  Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge were unswerving supporters of 
our police, fire, military, and Italian-American benevolent 
associations. The communities I represent warmly remember the benefit 
concerts Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge participated in to aid 
9/11 responders and their families. In 2007, Johnny Maestro sang at a 
concert digitally filmed and sent to bases of our Armed Forces 
overseas. Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge ended their concerts 
by singing ``You'll Never Walk Alone'' and dedicated the song to the 
men and women in uniform. Today, the surviving members of The Brooklyn 
Bridge continue to honor Johnny's legacy by performing the songs he 
sang with The Crests and The Brooklyn Bridge, and supporting the 
humanitarian causes he held so dear.
  Sadly, that great voice was stilled when Johnny Maestro died at the 
age of 70, following a valiant struggle with cancer. He continued to 
perform up until two months before his death.
  Mr. Speaker, Johnny Maestro was the consummate New Yorker. He was 
talented, and he gave of his gifts and his success for the betterment 
of his City and those most in need. His life and his art are an example 
of what is best in our City and in our Nation. I urge all members of 
the House to join me in remembering and honoring Johnny's Maestro's 
life and work, and to remember a man whose musical accomplishments and 
humanitarian deeds have touched the lives of so many people.

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