Johnny Salton

Last updated

Johnny Salton was a rock guitarist for bands from Florida from the late 1970s until his death in 2010. He is best known for his work with Charlie Pickett. According to Salton's friend and fellow guitarist, Peter Buck of R.E.M., "when he played really well, he just floated above everyone else." [1]

Contents

Style and influences

Trouser Press described Salton as "a first-rate student of (Johnny) Thunders, (John) Fogerty and Sky Saxon (not to mention a dead-great slide player)." [2]

Bandmate Charlie Pickett likened Salton's lead guitar playing to that of blues-based virtuosos such as Eric Clapton, Albert King, and Harvey Mandel. Pickett said, "John chose different notes, and he chose to phrase them differently, and he chose to shape them differently. John just had an ability to use the same colors that everyone else uses, but it comes out in a different way." [1]

Peter Buck underscored Pickett, calling Salton "a great player. And he never played the same way twice." [1]

Career

The book Going Underground: American Punk 1979-1989 described Salton's presence on the South Florida scene, noting that he and "his formidable guitar skills...seemed to be in just about every band in town." That passage described a group called Crank. [3] Another punk-oriented outfit that included Salton was The Reactions, whose singles became high-priced collectors' items, notably in Japan. Salton also played bass for this group. [4]

Attention to Salton broadened as part of the group Charlie Pickett and the Eggs. The group formed in the late 1970s and released its debut album, Live at the Button, in 1982 on Open Records, a local label in Miami associated with Open Books & Records. It was well reviewed by England's music weekly, Melody Maker. [5] An EP, Cowboy Junkie Au-Go-Go (also on Open Records) followed in 1984. It won praise from respected rock writer Robert Christgau of The Village Voice , who called it "ace country-punk." [6]

Salton was also featured on the 1988 album by Charlie Pickett and the MC3, The Wilderness (issued by Safety Net Records). [1] Trouser Press noted, "Salton's blistering blues-based guitar excitement provides fiery encouragement." [2]

Songwriting was another aspect of Salton's work. "Memories" was a cut on the 1987 album Cuba by The Silos, co-written with that group's Bob Rupe. It was described as one of the album's strongest songs [7] and as a top-notch tune. [8]

From 1984 onward, he also led a group called the Psycho Daisies. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel described the Daisies in 2003 as "'60s garage...in its purest form" and Salton as a survivor of the rock 'n' roll wars. [9] The following year, the Miami New Times called them the "Best Local Rock Band," citing Salton's "heart, soul, and gift." [10]

Lifestyle and death

Salton "struggled with drugs and other demons" for many years. [1] As a result, Peter Buck observed that his playing, while often brilliant, was inconsistent. (Buck produced The Wilderness and went to great lengths to coax out Salton's best performance.) [1]

in October 2010, Salton died of lung cancer that had spread to his liver. [11] [12]

In memoriam

Charlie Pickett issued a new album called See You in Miami in 2018. It featured a song called "So Long Johnny" — written by old friend Peter Buck. [1] That song first appeared on Buck's self-titled solo album, which was dedicated "to Johnny Salton and all the other Johnnies."

Discography

The Reactions

Crank

Charlie Pickett & The Eggs

Charlie Pickett & The MC3

Charlie Pickett

Psycho Daisies

Related Research Articles

Punk rock is a music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced short, fast-paced songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often shouted political, anti-establishment lyrics. Punk embraces a DIY ethic; many bands self-produce recordings and distribute them through independent record labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legendary Shack Shakers</span> American rock band

The Legendary Shack Shakers are an American rock band from Murray, Kentucky that was formed in 1995 by J.D. Wilkes. The original line-up formed the band out of a shared interest in rockabilly, blues and Western swing. Subsequently, the band gained prominence in the alternative country scene with a sound that encompassed rockabilly, blues, country and punk rock and a lyrical focus on Southern Gothic themes. Over time, the band's sound shifted to emphasize country music.

The Silos is an American rock band formed by Walter Salas-Humara and Bob Rupe in New York City, United States in 1985.

<i>Bloodshot</i> (The J. Geils Band album) 1973 studio album by The J. Geils Band

Bloodshot is the third studio album by American rock band The J. Geils Band. The album was released on April 12, 1973, by Atlantic Records. It was the breakthrough release for the band, reaching #10 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States, a peak that the band would not surpass until their 1981 multi-platinum album Freeze Frame. The single version of "Give it to Me", which had a very different ending from the album version, reached #30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #15 on the Cash Box Top 100.

<i>Best of The J. Geils Band</i> 1979 greatest hits album by J. Geils Band

Best of the J. Geils Band is the first Best Of album by American rock band The J. Geils Band, released in 1979.

Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, which specializes in alternative country.

<i>Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash</i> 1981 album by the Replacements

Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash is the first studio album by the American band The Replacements. It was released on August 25, 1981 by Twin/Tone Records. Squarely inspired by punk rock, the album stands in contrast to the more creatively diverse power pop and indie rock styles on later albums.

<i>Ragin, Full-On</i> 1986 studio album by fIREHOSE

Ragin', Full-On is the first album by American alternative rock band fIREHOSE. It was released after the breakup of the influential punk rock band Minutemen due to the death of the guitarist D. Boon. Like all fIREHOSE albums, Ragin', Full-On is dedicated to Boon.

The Crumbs are a rock band originating from Miami, Florida. The band is composed of Raf Classic (guitar/vocals), Johnny B (guitar), Emil 41⁄2 (bass), and Chuck Loose (drums).

Barrence Whitfield is an American soul and R&B vocalist, best known as the frontman for Barrence Whitfield & the Savages.

<i>Fire in the Sky</i> (album) 1993 album by Half Japanese

Fire In the Sky is an album by the rock group Half Japanese, released in 1993. "Tears Stupid Tears" is a cover of the Daniel Johnston song.

Richard Shelter is an American iconic figure, who changed South Florida's culture in the mid-1980s. Richard Shelter was an integral part of the South Florida punk rock scene. Shelter moved to Miami in 1978, and eventually started promoting punk and hardcore shows featuring local bands in clubs such as 27 Birds. According to the Miami New Times, "Shelter took over the club 27 Birds to offer great rock shows by local bands. He booked national acts such as the Ramones and Dead Kennedys at the then-forlorn, now-bustling Cameo Theatre. Later he fronted his own band, the Preachers, whose guitarist, Nick Kane, would later side for Iko-Iko and recently joined the Mavericks."

Open Books & Records was founded by Ted Gottfried and Leslie Wimmer. The original store opened its door in October 1979 in Deerfield Beach, Florida, United States. The store's location changed several times finally ending up in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Jeterboy Records was an American record label of the 1980s and 1990s, based in Broward County, Florida. It was part of the South Florida Punk and Hardcore scene, and released music by The Eat, Larry Joe Miller, D.T. Martyrs, Johnny Tonite, Stan Still Dance Band, Spanish Dogs, and other bands.

Safety Net Records was founded by Miami Herald music critic Bill Ashton, and is co-owned by Jimmy Johnson. Safety Net released South Florida classics such as The Essentials' "Fast Music in a Slow Town" EP and The Chant's "Two Car Mirage." In 1988, Safety Net released "The Wilderness", an album by Charlie Pickett & the MC3.

The Chant is an indie rock band from South Florida that relocated to Atlanta. The band formed in 1984 and was originally composed of Walter Cz on vocals, guitars and mandolin, James "Bing" Johnson on vocals and bass, Todd Barry on drums, and Rich DeFinis on guitar. Notable later lineups included Frank Mullen on drums, Earl "Bubba" Maddox on drums, "Mighty" Joe Hamm on drums, Gregory Dean Smalley on guitar, and Pat Johnson on guitar.

Charlie Pickett is an American singer and guitarist, known as frontman for rock bands from Florida, most notably in the 1980s. In Rolling Stone, David Fricke described Pickett's music as "a brawling-roots mix of Johnny Thunders, Sun Records and trailer park Lou Reed in Florida bars."

Fist City is the first album by the American queer punk band Tribe 8, released in 1995.

Cuba is the second album by the American alternative rock band the Silos, released in 1987.

Adequate Desire is an album by the American alternative rock musician Michael Hall, released in 1994. The album title comes from a line in an Emily Dickinson poem.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Crandell, Ben (September 21, 2018). "Miami moments with Charlie Pickett and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  2. 1 2 Charlie Pickett page on Trouser Press website
  3. ↑ Hurchalla, George (2016). Going Underground: American Punk 1979–1989. PM Press. ISBN   9781629631134.
  4. ↑ Folgar, Abel (December 13, 2010). "Johnny Salton and the Reactions' The Reactions Love You". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  5. ↑ Zimmerman, Lee (October 2, 2008). "A Bloodshot Records Anthology Resurrects Charlie Pickett". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  6. ↑ Christgau, Robert (December 25, 1984). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  7. ↑ Saunders, Mike (February 26, 1988). "Sound, Success of the Silos Springs from Restraint". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  8. ↑ Blackstock, Peter (November 1, 2002). "Silos – Cuba". No Depression. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. ↑ "'60s Sound Blooming in Daisies". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. September 26, 2003. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. ↑ "Best Local Rock Band: Psycho Daisies". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  11. ↑ Folgar, Abel (November 4, 2010). "RIP, Johnny Salton, one of South Florida's greatest guitarists". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  12. ↑ Stratton, Jeff (May 31, 2011). "Five South Florida Musicians Who Left Us Too Soon". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.