Johnny Costa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Costa
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Costanza |
| Born | January 18, 1922 Arnold, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1996 (aged 74) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, music director |
| Instruments | Piano, celesta, synth, accordion |
| Years active | 1955–1996 |
| Labels | Warner Bros. Records |
| Associated acts | Fred Rogers |
Johnny Costa (born John Costanza; January 18, 1922 – October 11, 1996) was a super talented American jazz pianist. A famous jazz musician named Art Tatum even called him "The White Art Tatum." Johnny Costa is most famous for being the music director for the children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
About Johnny Costa
Johnny Costa started playing the accordion when he was just seven years old. By age ten, he could already read music! His high school music teacher, Frank Oliver, noticed that Johnny had perfect pitch. This means he could tell what musical note something was just by hearing it. Because of this special talent, his teacher encouraged him to learn the piano.
Johnny went to Carnegie Mellon University. He earned degrees in both music and education. He wanted to be a teacher in case his music career didn't work out. But on the very day he graduated, he started working as a pianist for a radio station in Pittsburgh. Later, he did the same job for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. He played piano and organ for many different shows. Eventually, he teamed up with Fred Rogers to create and play the music for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Johnny's first music recording was called The Amazing Johnny Costa. It came out in 1955. Even though his music career was growing and getting international attention, he missed his family and friends. So, he decided to stop traveling for work. He even quit his job as music director for The Mike Douglas Show. He moved back to Pittsburgh and stayed there for the rest of his life.
Johnny Costa also appeared on a TV show called 67 Melody Lane in 1954. He played with guitarist Joe Negri. They performed two songs, "After You've Gone" and "Little Brown Jug."
Working on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Johnny Costa was the main music director, arranger, and keyboardist for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He worked on the show from when it first started in 1968 until he passed away in 1996. Fred Rogers, who created and hosted the show, thought Johnny was one of the most gifted musicians he had ever met.
It was a bit surprising that Fred Rogers chose Johnny. This is because Johnny's music style was often seen as too complex for a children's show. But Johnny took the job right away. He liked that he wouldn't have to travel away from Pittsburgh. Also, Fred Rogers offered him enough money to pay for his son's college tuition.
Even though Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was for kids, Johnny made sure not to play "baby" music. He believed that children could understand good music. He felt he could try out his own musical styles and techniques, even for a kids' show.
Every day, Johnny and his trio played live in the studio while the show was being filmed. His trio included Carl McVicker Jr. on bass and Bobby Rawsthorne on percussion. They played the show's famous main theme song. They also played the trolley whistle sound. And they created Mr. McFeely's fast "Speedy Delivery" piano sounds. They even made the vibraphone flute sounds when Fred fed his fish. Johnny also played dreamy celesta music and other background tunes.
Later Life and Legacy
Johnny Costa passed away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when he was 74 years old. He died from a blood condition called aplastic anemia.
After Johnny's death, Michael Moricz became the new music director for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He continued in this role until the show ended in 2001. A lot of Johnny Costa's original music was still used on the show. This included the special celesta music played at the start of each episode. Michael Moricz even asked that Johnny Costa's name still be listed in the show's closing credits as a musical director, alongside his own.
