I met you (at age 11) at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA in 1981. When I told you that I loved you, you thanked me and leaned down and kissed my cheek. Well, I fainted dead away and my dear Dad had to carry me back to the car! I always wondered what your reaction must have been! At an rate, that August night, you made a girl's deam come true. Thank you :) (PS- If there is any chance that you could, please e-mail me)

Dear Johnny -
Suzy from Australia just saying hi, hope every thing is going well with you. So take care, hope to get a reply.
PS: I was listening to your version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and began to cry. I thought of my Nana Ruth (grandmother), it was her favorite song. She pased away some time ago, and I know if she had heard your version she would have loved it just as much as I do. I miss her, I wish I could have shared your music with her...

Hi Johnny... I'm not sure if you'll ever read this, but I just want to tell you that I hope you are fine, and I miss the original Sha-Na-Na group. I have been a fan for 27 years now. Thanks for the memories... Whatever you are doing these days, lots of success. Take care and God bless you always. Also feel free to e-mail me anytime if you'd like to, I would be happy to hear from you.

Dear Johnny,
I became a fan of yours back in '77, when I was 12. Even though I wasn't around in the 50's, I grew up on the music, courtesy of my parents. Later, because of you and the rest of Sha Na Na, my sister (Cindy), a friend (Tracy), and I formed an a cappella group, singing oldies. We sang locally for 10 years, even for Sha Na Na, after a concert, one night. It was such a thrill! Some people thought it was cool to hear a female doo-wop group. I used to dream that you and I could do a duet one day. I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you, and the guys, were to us.

Dear Johnny
I dont think there is a way to express my gratitude to you for all that you have brought into my life, especially from they way you have done it, from your singing to your complete silliness...When things got tough, I would play Shanana music for a simple escape...When things were good, and i played Shanana music, things were great! Your voice especially is so hypnotic, it always puts me in a complete happy state of mind. There has never been another voice that was able to have this effect on me, you are truly my all time favorite singer/performer!
The only thing I knew to do to to show my gratitude was to name my first born child after you (who turns 18yrs old today 4-22). When asked how he got his name he describes you best to his knowledge, then adds..."Thank heaven he wasn't named Engelbert or Liberace!"  :)
Take care of yourself, I hope life brings to you all that you deserve and desire! With Much Love, Respect, and Admiration!

Hi, my name is Donna, and I've been a devoted fan since 1980. I was thrilled when I got third row seats at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Valley Forge, Pa to see Sha-Na-Na in March of 1983.  I have both of your solo albums and letters from your fan club.  One letter said that you would have more solo work out but I haven't found anything.  Did you release anything after Ballads For Lovers? Please email me (if possible) with any new album info or merchandise info.

Dear Johnny, thank you for making gold Lame so dang hot. Thank you for giving the disco ball a new Name in our house. The Johnny ball. Thank you for helping make me and my cousin the best of friends and inspiring us all to wear converse. Thanks for making a red and black tank top something to fantasize about and thank you for a life time of memories and late nights of girlish giggling that you inspired. And most off all thank you for inspiring one of my favorite sentences of all time "Johnny sang that on Sha-na-na." Oh and Connie whom I share all these memories with I found your Sha-na-na records :)

Johnny, as a lover of vocal group harmony, I am a huge Sha Na Na fan. I found your lead vocals and voice to be one of the best leads around, bar none. I loved your version of Romeo and Juliet. Thank you for your time. Would love to know if you any new recordings out.

I'm guessing I'm probably Johnny's first fan, and probably his oldest, too (other than his mother and sisters) and surely one of his most intense, considering how young I was sat the time...In 1969, when I was nine years old, my father took our family to see "Hair" while it was playing at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston. The manager was one of my father's patients, and he expressed his appreciation by periodically giving my father tickets to various shows. During intermission, Johnny came through the audience shaking people's hands. He said "Hi, you are so cute" to me, and tousled my hair. He was probably eighteen years old at the time. I was awestruck. I was only nine, but I was already boy-crazy. He had a head of black curls, corkscrew, from what I remember. And perfume. Those were in the days when everyone wore patchouli.
I managed to see "Hair" three more times during a six-month period. Sometime during that period, he was promoted from a minor part to the part of Claude Hooper Bukowski (I probably have the name wrong, but I remember watching Johnny in the role).
Somehow I learned that Johnny Contardo lived on Babcock Street, in Brookline, and I talked my older brother (who was 10) into taking a long bike ride with me. I had a blue Chopper two wheeler with sissy high bars and a white basket. I packed a lunch and put it in the basket. We rode over to Babcock Street and began checking every single address on Babcock, from Coolidge Corner out to Commonwealth Avenue. It was 35 years ago, but memory tells me that we were about to quit when we found the name plate "Contardo", and rang the doorbell.
I think it's a real testament to what a nice man he was, and I'm sure continues to be, that he came downstairs, opened the door, and said with (what sounded like) real enthusiasm, "I remember you! From the show the other night!" My brother and I spent the afternoon with him and his mother, as I recall. He fed us. We watched television. He let me smoke his cigarettes and laughed at my atrociously unfunny jokes. He was such a sweet celebrity, and he left me with a feeling that lasted for years and years. I was not even ten years old, and he made me feel as if I had made an impression on him. I was a fat and unhappy little girl, but he was so gracious and kind that I have never forgotten him. Wherever you are, Johnny, hello!

Dear Johnny, When I was a little girl I absolutely loved Sha Na Na.... My mom loved it because she always knew where I was when the show was on.  I was asked to be in a wedding when I was 5 and said no, however they tried to trick me and tell me that the group would be there so of course I said YES!  I used to think that you were singing to me whenever you sang and mostly when you sang "you are my special angel"  I'm only 28 and I am the only one of all of my friends who has any clue about Sha Na Na, except for from Grease, they all think i'm crazy...I just ordered a Sha Na Na t-shirt from ebay but what I really really want is a Johnny T-shirt!  Any idea where I can find one?

Dear Johnny: It has been such a long time since I got in touch with you for your 30th birthday. I have tried after that, but to no avail. Even when I went overseas, I tried sending you roses for your birthday, but they never got to you. I hope life is treating you well, and I am sure you don't look a day older than thirty! To me you seemed to be beautiful outside, but more so inside. Just wish I could have had more info about your life in the time that has passed, just to be happy for you, and know you remember me. Wish to be able to send you roses for your next birthday. SHSSSSSSH, I won't say how many, okay

Hey Johnny, I've been trying to find you forever.  Thanks to Cheryl I'm a little closer.  I use to correspond with your Mom, but over the years have lost touch.  Just wanted you to know I think of you often.  Hope all is well.

I am a Chef/Owner in Minneapolis.  If ever you are near, my husband and I would be honored to cook for you.  It would be a simple gift of appreciation for the entertainment you provided a 10 year-old girl.

Dear Johnny -
I have been a fan since the first time I saw you on Television, I was only about ten years old!!!  When I was 19 I heard that Sha Na Na was going to be performing at the Santa Monica Pier, only I had no idea that you were no longer a member.  I waited for five hours to get a front row spot to see you......as you know, you were not there :(  Anyway, I hope that you are enjoying all that life has to offer.  I just wanted you to know that you really touched my heart at a young age and I still remember your beautiful voice fondly.  PS, I am now a teacher in LA and my students like your voice too!!!! Take Care, Buffy

Dear Johnny, I was a fan since I was 13 years old when all my other friends were listening to punk rock. You touched my heart, every time you came to buffalo. My family would buy tickets to every performance and I would give you a pink carnation. I came across several old pictures of you and I, and you on stage with the flower. Thank you for all my special childhood memories. As an adult and mom,I look forward to sharing your solo albums on CD any other music you are planning to produce with my family.

Dear Johnny, I have been a fan since  before the show was aired and will always be. My niece and i would watch the show and she would sing along with you all. I wanted her to know what music should sound like. Johnny, could I have an autographed color picture of you, that would truly make my day. Thanks for making so many people happy and for singing songs that kids of all ages could listen to.

Dear Johnny: First of all, let me thank Cheryl for creating this Sha Na Na web site. I "discovered" you while watching your television program in the eighties, and continued to follow the show each week - and all of those ridiculous sketches on them - just hoping you would sing the closing solo. You have the voice of an angel!! I am thrilled to learn that you have solo material available. I plan on finding my own copies immediately - I bought too many Sha Na Na albums in the past only to hear you solo on a couple of the songs. My very best wishes to you - I am one of your many loyal fans across this country.

1. Keep in mind this page is available for public viewing, NOT a private page for Johnny's eyes only, so be aware that anything you write is there for the world to see : )
2. For your own safety, since this is a public page, please do not include your phone number, street address, etc. (You can include your e-mail address if you like, and I'll add it as a link).
3. I reserve the right to edit or refuse any submission at my discretion. Please keep your note brief, good-natured and friendly.
4. No "I dated Johnny" letters, or any otherwise inappropriate submissions, will be published.
5. One letter per fan please.
6. Please don't write me to ask if Johnny has seen your letter : ) He is aware of the Johnny Zone page, so he may check in occasionally and read the letters, who knows?
7. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR MESSAGE IN ALL CAPS! I don't have the time to retype it in normal type.
8. E-mail me with your submissions, with "Dear Johnny" as the subject line, and I'll put them up ASAP.

Thanks for your kind understanding about these few but necessary rules, I just want to keep this site a happy and friendly place for Johnny fans to enjoy! Looking forward to hearing from you, Cheryl

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