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I haven't seen anything on the web yet, but I understand that Johnny
Sudetta (Fortune) died last Sunday. He was truly an original who played
in a decidedly non-traditional style and influenced others along the
way.
I read somewhere that Johnny Fortune had already played studio sessions
before the surf sound hit. He'd play guitar on Sam Cook 's " Chain
Gang " and Barbara George's " I Know ." In '63, at the age of 16, he
recorded the Soul Surfer sessions at Bob Summers' Sound House studio in
El Monte, where the Lively Ones also recorded. The session musicians
were Johnny Fortune (Sudetta - guitar, bass), Jim O'Keith - sax, and
Joey Sudetta, a mere 10 years old at the time, on drums. Johnny's band
mates John Fisher, who co-wrote many of the tunes, and brothers Vincent
Sudetta and George Sudetta did not play on the sessions. Offered a
chance to tour England with Johnny Burnette, he had to decline due to
his being under eighteen. Johnny's sound is quite unusual within the
surf genre. He has a warm and muffled, relatively dry sound with
unusual whammy action that sets it apart from the rest, and from the
big guitar sound of the Duane Eddy's of the world. Johnny's tunes are
melodic and rhythmic, and have a lasting quality about them.
I will miss him.
Phil Dirt
thats too bad. i listen to him via rare surf vol 3 alot. my favorite song is
"sunset". just at 16 he sure did accomplish alot. i remember trying to tackle
'sunset' and thinking 'a teenager wrote this' ?!
Phil Dirt <> wrote: I haven't seen anything
on the web yet, but I understand that Johnny
Sudetta (Fortune) died last Sunday. He was truly an original who played
in a decidedly non-traditional style and influenced others along the
way.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Aloha Phil,
Thanks for the news on Johnny Fortune.
His playing was truly unique.
Soul Surfer is one of my favorite Surf tunes.
Once again, SurfGuitar101 is out front of the
Press with News that is important to all of us
"Surf Aficionados".
Kim
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
