John Valenti

Last updated

John Valenti (born John LiVigni) is an American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.

Contents

Background

He began his career as John LiVigni with a cover of Stevie Winwood's "Gimme Some Lovin'," released on Raintree Records in 1971. He then became lead singer and writer for the pop band Puzzle. Puzzle released two albums on Motown Records in 1973 (Puzzle I) and 1974 (Puzzle II). They were one of the rare white groups on Motown, with a sound often reminiscent of the early Chicago Transit Authority. They were a horn pop soul band with John's vocals recalling Stevie Wonder. They owed a lot to Chicago, one of their inspirations. They never made the Hot 100 singles or Top 200 album charts.

John eventually went solo. He released one album in 1976, entitled Anything You Want, on Ariola Records. It peaked at No. 51 on the US Black Albums chart [1] on the strength of its title track, which had been released as a single and which peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. [2] The title track fared better on the US Hot Soul Singles chart, where it went to No. 10, [3] also making minor dents on the Adult Contemporary (#49) and Canadian pop charts (#69).

John released a less successful second album, I Won't Change, in 1981.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)</span> 1965 single by the Four Tops

"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" is a 1965 hit song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't That Peculiar</span>

"Ain't That Peculiar" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul musician Marvin Gaye for the Tamla (Motown) label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptight (Everything's Alright)</span> 1965 single by Stevie Wonder

"Uptight (Everything's Alright)" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder for the Tamla (Motown) label. One of his most popular early singles, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" was the first hit single Wonder co-wrote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Was Made to Love Her (song)</span> 1967 single by Stevie Wonder

"I Was Made to Love Her" is a soul music song recorded by American musician Stevie Wonder for Motown's Tamla label in 1967. The song was written by Wonder, his mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy, and producer Henry Cosby and included on Wonder's 1967 album I Was Made to Love Her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Really Love Me</span> 1971 single by Stevie Wonder

"If You Really Love Me" is a song written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright. Wonder recorded the song and released his version as a single from his 1971 album Where I'm Coming From. The single peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard′s R&B chart, and Billboard′s Easy Listening chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Place in the Sun (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1966 single by Stevie Wonder

"A Place in the Sun" is a 1966 soul single by American and Motown musician Stevie Wonder. Written by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells, it was one of Wonder's first songs to contain social commentary. "A Place in the Sun" was his third Top Ten hit since 1963, hitting number 9 on the Billboard pop singles chart and number 3 on the R&B charts. Billboard described the song as a "folk-oriented release" to which Wonder gives an "exciting treatment." The Originals and The Andantes sang background vocals on the recording. Stevie Wonder also recorded a version of the song in Italian titled "Il Sole è di Tutti".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours</span> 1970 single by Stevie Wonder

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered " is a soul song, by American musician Stevie Wonder, released in June 1970 as a single on Motown's Tamla label. It spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart. In the same year, the song was also released on the album Signed, Sealed & Delivered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Send One Your Love</span> 1979 single by Stevie Wonder

"Send One Your Love" is a 1979 soul single by American and Motown musician and singer Stevie Wonder from his album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants" (1979). Released in November 1979 as the album's lead single, the song reached number four on the US Billboard pop singles chart in 1979 The song also became Wonder's second single to top the adult contemporary chart, following 1973's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", topping the chart for four weeks. On the soul charts, "Send One Your Love" went to number five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)</span> 1972 single by Stevie Wonder

"Superwoman " is a 1972 soul track by Stevie Wonder. It was the second track on Wonder's Music of My Mind album, and was also released as the first single. The song reached a peak of number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Do</span> 1982 single by Stevie Wonder and Dizzy Gillespie

"Do I Do" is a song written and performed by American singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder, first released in 1982 on the compilation album, Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I (1982). The single peaked at #2 on the US Billboard soul chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard dance chart, "Do I Do" went to number one for two weeks. Overseas, it reached #10 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher</span> 1967 song performed by Jackie Wilson

"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" is an R&B song written by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith. It was recorded by Jackie Wilson for his album Higher and Higher (1967), produced by Carl Davis, and became a Top 10 pop and number one R&B hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)</span>

"Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)" is a song written by the premier Motown songwriting/production team of the 1960s Holland–Dozier–Holland. The first hit recording was sung by Kim Weston in 1965. It was most popular in 1975 when it was recorded by the Doobie Brothers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever</span> 1966 song by the Four Tops

"Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" is a 1966 song written by Ivy Jo Hunter and Stevie Wonder. It was performed by the Four Tops via the Motown label. In addition to co-writing the song, Wonder also instrumentally contributed drums to the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire (Ohio Players song)</span> 1974 song by Ohio Players

"Fire" is a song by R&B/funk band Ohio Players. The song was the opening track from the album of the same name and hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Soul Singles chart in early 1975. It spent two weeks atop the soul chart. "Fire" was the Ohio Players' only entry on the new disco/dance chart, where it peaked at No. 10. The song is considered to be the band's signature song along with "Love Rollercoaster".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Know Why</span> 1969 single by Stevie Wonder

"I Don't Know Why" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, from the 1968 album For Once in My Life. It was released as a single on January 28, 1969, with "My Cherie Amour" on the B-side. A few months later, the single was re-issued with sides reversed because of the growing popularity of "My Cherie Amour", which became a Top Ten hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Any Day Now (Burt Bacharach song)</span> 1962 song by Bacharach and Bob Hilliard

"Any Day Now" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard in 1962. It has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including notable versions by Chuck Jackson in 1962, Alan Price in 1965, Elvis Presley in 1969, Scott Walker in 1973 and Ronnie Milsap in 1982. In the lyrics, the singer predicts the imminent demise of a romantic relationship and describes the sadness this will leave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey There Lonely Girl</span> 1969 single by Eddie Holman

"Hey There Lonely Girl" is a song released in 1969 by Eddie Holman. The original version, "Hey There Lonely Boy", was recorded in 1963 by Ruby & the Romantics. It was a hit for both of them. It has since been recorded by many other artists.

"Let's Get Serious" is a song written by Lee Garrett and Stevie Wonder and the title track to Jermaine Jackson's 1980 Motown album Let's Get Serious. Released as a single, it became Jackson's first number-one R&B hit and second top-ten pop hit. It also reached the top ten in the UK. The recording was produced by Stevie Wonder, who also provided vocals for the track.

"Reach Out for Me" is a 1963 a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and originally recorded by Lou Johnson. In the US, the original version peaked at number seventy-four on the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending December 7, 1963.

"Funny How Time Slips Away" is a song written by Willie Nelson and first recorded by country singer Billy Walker. Walker's version was issued as a single by Columbia Records in June 1961 and peaked at number 23 on the Hot C&W Sides chart. The song has been featured in several live action films and television shows, such as in the first episode of the second season of AMC’s Better Call Saul and in the 2020 Netflix drama The Devil All the Time.

References

  1. John Valenti at Allmusic.com
  2. Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 600.