John “Johnny The Claw” Piantadosi
Living The “Clawsome” Life
Born into a musically rich family in New Jersey, I still have such wonderful memories of growing up listening to Dad jamming on the ol’ upright bass, Mom singing, or my older brothers tickling the ivories on one of the two pianos we had in the house. There were always instruments lying around for us to tinker with; an accordion, auto-harp, a trumpet, violin, and a few guitars, and I’m sure there were more. Music just flowed through that house on the lake constantly!
What part of First Coast do you reside now and how long have you lived there?
I live in St Augustine, in beautiful St Johns County, with my wife, Elizabeth, and our son, Johnny (“Jr Claw”). We’ve been here about 4½ years now.
When did you know you had an interest in music?
Well, besides always being around music at home, I was very fortunate to be attending a public school that had a small classical orchestra and… a conductor! I still remember his name, Seymour Finklestein. I was in 4th grade. I had begun to sing quite frequently around the house, still much too shy to do it in public. Around this time they had an international touring boys choir come through our school so I auditioned and was offered a spot in the choir. But didn’t go…too young, shy, and needy, I guess.
How did you get the nickname “Johnny The Claw?!”
Not long after I had started guitar after playing bass for a few years, I was performing at The Stone Pony in Jersey. One of my high school buddies was there and he’s lookin’ up at me playing a lead. Right after the song ends he blurts out, “Whoa, it looks like a CLAW, MAN!! I was about 18 then and the name just kinda stuck ever since.
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
Upright bass was first (following in Daddy’s footsteps), then a couple of years later got my first electric bass guitar, then a few years after that starting picking up my brother Armand’s classical guitar and learned to play that, mostly from listening to records, picking that needle up and putting it back to the beginning over and over again. Then at about 15, I finally got my own guitar, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster!
Are you currently in a band (or bands)?
I am. Many bands, in fact. At this time I play and sing with, “KTG Band, “BareClaw,” “Fran Pitre & Class Act,” ”SLAPSHOT,”and of course, the incredible worship team at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian.
As we speak, I am currently working on an exciting new project with my good friend, Barry Rapp (the “Bare” in BareClaw). Our new band will be out there soon and oooh, this is gonna be good! Can’t say too much more at this time (hush hush), but I will say look for us at “Springing The Blues” 2022 on April 2nd!!
Who is your favorite musician or what musician influenced you the most?
Well, like the great Paul Rodgers once said (sung), “Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatles song…” So yes, the Fab Four were first. And they were the only “Rock” group my dad actually liked. Hence, there were always plenty of Beatles 8-track tapes (uh-oh, dating yourself alert!) on hand to listen to in the old Dodge Monaco. After this, when I started playing bass guitar some of my biggest influences were John Paul Jones (Led Zep), Mel Schacher (Grand Funk), Felix Pappalardi (Mountain), Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash), and the late and greatest, Timmy Bogert (Vanilla Fudge & Cactus)!
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!
One that stands in my mind goes back to Jersey where there was one of those music store clinic demonstrations in which they bring in a well known musician to come and display their talents as well as endorse some products the store is trying to sell. This one was in Freehold, NJ and they brought in Leslie West (who just departed us recently) of “Mountain” fame and the drummer was Carmine Appice, who has played with just about everybody, including “Vanilla Fudge” and “Cactus!” Well, guess what? They didn’t have a bass player for the mini concert. So, a buddy of mine, who worked at the store, called and asked ME if I wanted to come over and play with these guys! I couldn’t get there fast enough. I gotta say it was pretty awesome playing “Mississippi Queen” and the like with the legendary Leslie West!…and Carmine on drums!! What??///!!
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
I don’t always go to see other bands, but when I do… I prefer Smokestack!
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
I seem to always enjoy Iggy’s, Whiskey Jax Baymeadows, and more recently, Firefly Bay!
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
* I have many private jobs with KTG these next couple of months
* with “Monkey Wrench” 11/27 @ Renegades, Crescent City
* with “BareClaw” 12/2 @ Iggy’s, Fruit Cove
* ”Heart of Christmas” 12/3 @ Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church
* w/Fran Pitre & Class Act 12/17 @ Mavi Waterfront, Jax Beach
* 2 Christmas Eve Svs. 12/24 @ Ponte Vedra Pres
* w/Fran Pitre & Class Act 1/14/22 @ Mavi Waterfront, Jax Beach
* w/SLAPSHOT 1/15/22 @ Whiskey Jax Beaches
What is the best way for musicians to network?
Probably just get out there to some of these clubs and venues to mingle, rub elbows, press the flesh, etc. You never know who might be there!
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?!
I’d have to say John, Cyrus, and Donnie over at “Firefly Bay” in Atlantic Beach. I played there recently with the “Pink Paisleys” and was extremely impressed, not only with the venue, but with the way they treated us musicians! Hands down…the winners in my book! Hopefully, other owners and managers will take a note from THEIR book!
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
I’d like to know what some of THEIR favorite venues are?
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone?
How ‘bout just a great big THANK YOU for supporting us local starving musicians, in spirit, body, and of course, financially! Here’s to you, great people of the First Coast!!
JTC
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
