John D'Andrea

Biography

D'Andrea's path to music started early. As a boy, he watched his father play saxophone in local New Jersey bands, and for his ninth birthday, his dad gave him a saxophone of his own. He later attended the Arts High School for music and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, all while playing, singing, and arranging in local bands just like his father. In 1963, D'Andrea met Bob Marcucci, who landed him a recording contract as a singer with Sinatra's label Reprise Records.

That led to regular appearances on the 1960s network music show Shindig. From there, he became a musical director, traveling the world with artists like The Beach Boys, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Vic Damone, Steve and Eydie, Eddie Rabbitt, and Sylvie Vartan. D'Andrea has arranged or produced 25 Gold and Platinum Records and 70 chart hits. Among them are No. 1 singles: "Indian Reservation" by Paul Revere & the Raiders, "Da Doo Ron Ron" by Shaun Cassidy, "Can You Read My Mind" (Superman Theme) by Maureen McGovern, "Somewhere in Time" by Roger Williams, and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

He won a Grammy Award for his arrangement of "Time of My Life." D'Andrea is a member of ASCAP and has earned three awards from the organization. In his spare time, he plays saxophone for the D'Anbino Family Band.

Did You Know?

• He met Bob Marcucci in 1963, who got him a singing contract with Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records.
• D'Andrea became a regular on the 1960s TV show Shindig after signing with Reprise.