Johnny Mann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Mann
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Mann, at right, with Regis Philbin and Joey Bishop on The Joey Bishop Show (1969)
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John Russell Mann
August 30, 1928 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Died | June 18, 2014 (aged 85) Anderson, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Occupation | Arranger, composer, conductor, musician, singer |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
John Russell Mann (born August 30, 1928 – died June 18, 2014) was a talented American musician. He was known for arranging music, writing songs, leading orchestras, and singing. He was a very active and famous entertainer.
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Johnny Mann's Music Career
Johnny Mann started his music journey in the late 1940s. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1951 to 1953, he played in the United States Army Field Band. After leaving the army, he moved to Los Angeles to continue his music career.
The Johnny Mann Singers
Johnny Mann became a bandleader with his group, The Johnny Mann Singers. They recorded many songs and even had their own TV show. The show was called Stand Up and Cheer and ran from 1971 to 1974.
Mann was also the musical director for The Joey Bishop Show. This was a late-night talk show on ABC-TV from 1967 to 1969. The group also performed at the White House two times.
He was the musical director for The Alvin Show too. He even sang the voice of Theodore, one of the chipmunks! In some of his early work, he was called "Johnnie Mann." A famous singer named Vicki Lawrence was once part of his group.
Emmy Awards Performance
In 1972, The Johnny Mann Singers performed at the Emmy Awards. Their performance was very patriotic. After they finished, the host, Johnny Carson, made a joke. He said, "War Bonds are available in the lobby." This comment made some people upset.
Famous Jingles
Johnny Mann wrote many popular radio jingles. Jingles are short, catchy songs used in advertisements. His most famous jingle was "Sound of the City" for KSFO radio in San Francisco. This jingle became very popular.
He changed this jingle for other radio stations too. These included KFRC in San Francisco and CKLW in Windsor, Ontario. You can even find videos online of Mann directing his singers. They are singing jingles for KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101) radio station.
Awards and Later Life
In 1998, Johnny Mann received a special honor. A Golden Palm Star was placed on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California. This star celebrates his achievements.
In 2005, Mann and his wife, Betty, moved to Anderson, South Carolina. Even in retirement, he stayed busy. He kept making radio jingles and guest-conducted music groups. He also took part in local music events.
In April 2014, when he was 85, he was a guest conductor. He led the choir at Anderson University's spring gala. The choir sang The Johnny Mann Singers' version of "Up, Up and Away." The audience of about 1,000 people stood up to honor him.
Hit Recordings
The Johnny Mann Singers recorded 42 albums. Most of these were for Liberty Records from the 1950s to the 1970s. Later, in the mid-1970s, they recorded with Light Records.
In the early 1960s, the Singers sang backup for other artists. These included rock and roll singer Johnny Burnette and pop singer Bobby Vee. They also worked with the Si Zentner Orchestra, The Crickets, and Eddie Cochran.
Their instrumental song "Cinnamint Shuffle (Mexican Shuffle)" became a hit. It appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966.
Their next song, a cover version of "Up, Up and Away", was a huge hit in the UK. A cover version is when one artist records a song that was first recorded by another artist. Their version won a Grammy Award in 1968. It won for Best Performance by a Choir of Seven or More Persons. Johnny Mann was nominated for five Grammys in total and won two of them.
Johnny Mann's Family Life
On December 10, 1960, Johnny Mann married actress Lori Nelson. They had two daughters named Susan Lori and Jennifer Lee. They later divorced in April 1973.
In 1983, Mann married Betty Weinmann. They were married for over 30 years until his death. He and Betty were members of St. John's United Methodist Church. They sang in the choir there in Anderson, South Carolina.
Johnny Mann's Passing
Johnny Mann passed away on June 18, 2014. He was 85 years old. He died from heart failure at his home in Anderson, South Carolina.
On June 28, 2014, a memorial service was held for him. The president of Anderson University, Evans Whitaker, made an announcement. He said they would create the Johnny Mann Center for Commercial Music at the university. This center was made in his memory.
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Mann para niños
