Johnny Maestro

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since: 1987

First Recording: 1961

Previously Considered? No  what's this?

Johnny Maestro
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Johnny Maestro @ Wikipedia

Will Johnny Maestro be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
"Musical excellence is the essential qualification for induction."
Yes: 
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Comments

47 comments so far (post your own)

Johnny Maestro (vocals; The Crests, The Del Satins, The Brooklyn Bridge)

Posted by Roy on Friday, 01/11/2013 @ 23:19pm


I am new to the music of Johnny Maestro. I heard Step by Step and felt compelled to hear more...and know more of his music. What a stunning voice in the early recordings and then up to his last performance in 2010. A pure artist who gave in full measure. He is already Hall of Fame for me and I suspect many....with a voice and gift for entertainment that secured loyal fans and can still gain new fans even after his passing. Johnny was gift on this earth and I am sure in continued journey.

Posted by john mcquaig on Monday, 04/8/2013 @ 14:34pm


Hopefully the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame board will reconsider and place this great American singer in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as soon as possible. Its a shame that the board did not give him this honor while he was still with us.

Posted by Ciro Di Donna on Tuesday, 04/16/2013 @ 23:33pm


Johnny maestro should be in the hall of fame. Its terrible some performers who are there should not be but johnny should be there he performed until he passed away.

Posted by karen decicco on Wednesday, 06/5/2013 @ 13:46pm


I do not understand why Johnny Maestro has not been inducted to the r&r hall of fame. This man had an awesome voice not matter what he sang. Even at his age he was still one of the best.

Posted by Wilda on Monday, 10/7/2013 @ 00:10am


Johnny Maestro and many others deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but so much of it is political and what record you recorded on. Johnny represents many aspects of music history starting off as a member in a bi-racial music group recording the Crests. Johnny is widely recognized as one of the great voice of Rock. Who else belongs in? Lesley Gore, Neil Sedaka and Tommy James.

Posted by Robert on Monday, 03/9/2015 @ 13:50pm


Without Johnny Maestro in it the rock and roll
hall of fame becomes irrelevant.

Posted by ed laggenbauer on Saturday, 05/2/2015 @ 17:07pm


A pure travesty. inexcusable.politics plus.The man and his music speak for themselves.

Posted by Chris W Haecker on Tuesday, 06/16/2015 @ 18:05pm


It is a travesty that Johnny has been ignored all this time. When artists that have no where near the talent get in, Johnny, until his death still packed concert venues around the world. It makes me really wonder if the powers that be actually know what music is all about, it doesn't seem so. However we are actively seeking johnny's admission into the hall and our numbers are growing everyday. If you are a fan and I have to assume by looking this up you are, then join us and do your part. https://www.facebook.com/Inductjohnnymaestronow

Posted by Joe Caiola on Sunday, 07/19/2015 @ 15:37pm


We're 69 years old now, and every dance we go to the group or single performing always pays tribute to two legends....Dion and Johnny Maestro. I just learned of the amazing injustice that Johnny Maestro is not in the R & R Hall of Fame.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE???

Please make things right for those of us who grew up with rock and roll and still treasure it.

Thank you.

Posted by Bob Gelles on Wednesday, 10/28/2015 @ 16:50pm


As a singer, Johnny Maestro's voice is right up there with people like Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Roy Orbison. His songs with the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge were outstanding. It's a no-brainer to put him in the Hall of Fame.
And maybe I'm a bit behind things, but someone posted that Sedaka and Anka are others not in the Hall? Whoa! Come on Hall of Fame, folks, let's get these errors corrected. Please.

Posted by Rex Kirts on Monday, 02/1/2016 @ 21:10pm


Johnny Maestro is to Doo Wop music and post Doo Wop music as what James Brown is to R&B and soul music.Maybe that could clear up the confusion for not inductingJohnny Maestro into the R%R Hall OF FAME.

Posted by william capurso on Tuesday, 06/7/2016 @ 02:52am


I do not understand why Johnny Maestro is not already in the rock and roll hall of fame. Of all the ones I see listed I don't understand it.His voice was amazing. He is now passed and what a lasting tribute this would be. Who went to a dance without hearing 16 candles or the worst that could happen ?????? His time to be recognized for the performer he was even at his sickest times in his life and nomination is way over due. Do the right thing...

Posted by Pat H on Monday, 07/17/2017 @ 11:24am


It just may be that the Hall of Fame doesn't know just HOW to induct Johnny.

Should they induct him with The Brooklyn Bridge ?

(Hardly likely, because the BB only had 7 charting singles , and ONE major hit.) Should they induct him solo ? That probably wouldn't happen either. (only 3 chart hits alone).
Johnny's best chance for induction would probably be as a member of The CRESTS, where he had his greatest success, charting some 13 times with that group between 1957 and 1963.If they induct him alone, it would be just the latest in a series of unfair snub offenses that HoF has historically committed; pulling people out of successful GROUPS,and inducting them SOLO.
The CRESTS should be inducted ...and Johnny WITH them.
That's the BEST way to get him in.




Posted by Bill G on Tuesday, 07/18/2017 @ 14:15pm


Induct The Maestro. What's The Worst That Could Happen?

Posted by DIAMOND on Friday, 03/2/2018 @ 14:24pm


I'm sorry Johnny Maestro passed away without being recognized by the Rock & Roll HOF! Such a ridiculous omission from one of the greatest vocalists ever. This organization needs to get a clue..

Posted by Stuart Brinin on Thursday, 07/5/2018 @ 22:02pm


I am really amazed when I see child molesters like Michael Jackson inducted and no Johnny. Who the hell are The Stooges, The Cure, Public Enemy? What did Red Hot Chile Peppers or Prince do for music? I think some people @ R&RHOF need a Cattle Prod placed in a certain orifice to get their attention!!

Posted by Mike Murphy on Tuesday, 01/8/2019 @ 20:27pm


The Hall of Fame is a sham outfit controlled by super snob Jann Wenner who treats the nominee process in dictatorial fashion, allowing only his personal favorites entry. It has zero credibility especially after bypassing Johnny Maestro all these years. When Wenner gives up his total control then perhaps others who are more in the know about Rock & Roll greatness will recognize the incredible artists who have been left out.

Posted by Jack Albert on Wednesday, 06/12/2019 @ 01:26am


Johnny Maestro - Great artist, singer, friend. Can someone out there start a nationwide petition to have him inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that I am sure not hundreds but millions will sign it. Thank goodness the EAST COAST ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME IN NEW JERSEY has formed in June 5 2019 and is building its own museum and inductees. Look it Up. We are all counting on this Hall of Fame to induct Johnny Maestro as should be.
Thank you to all Fans out there.

Posted by Jan Z on Wednesday, 06/26/2019 @ 13:00pm


Johnny not in the Hall is just not right! I went to the Hall this summer and without him the whole thing is devalued. I will not renew my membership until he gets in. Maybe someone like Cousin Brucie can help?

Posted by Rick Jarman on Sunday, 09/29/2019 @ 12:27pm


We having been trying for years! Petitions with hundreds of thousands of names were sent. We sent various cds & videos featuring Johnny with the Crests, The Bridge & as a solo artist.
Although some of the committee members agree that Johnny had the talent & deserves to be inducted other committee members felt he wasn

Posted by Anna on Sunday, 09/29/2019 @ 15:18pm


Other committee members felt he wasn

Posted by Anna on Sunday, 09/29/2019 @ 15:23pm


Sorry don

Posted by Anna on Sunday, 09/29/2019 @ 15:28pm


I was told I shouldn

Posted by Anna on Monday, 09/30/2019 @ 10:43am


They said Johnny wasn

Posted by Anna on Monday, 09/30/2019 @ 20:52pm


Marketable

Posted by Anna on Monday, 09/30/2019 @ 20:54pm


It

Posted by Anna on Monday, 09/30/2019 @ 20:55pm


Should Have been Inducted Years Ago But we all know who is on the board of elections committee! That tells it All ! And of course How about Leslie Gore , Billy Joe Royal, Johnny Rivers ETC . ???? Really ? Com On Man !!e

Posted by Mike Sullivan on Saturday, 01/23/2021 @ 19:23pm


I grew up with Johnny' and Sam Cooke' music. I am shocked today 2/2/2021, when I checked that he is not in R&R Hall. As an African American growing up around singers. Singers sang. Johnny' omission form the hall is a pure travesty. Petitions will not do it .Because this is a power play. I listen to him most of the day. The talent this man possessed brings me near tears. I wished Johnny could have lived to see his Induction . I am 79 and I am hopeful to see him in the East Coast R&R Hall of Fame. Thank you

Posted by Joyce on Tuesday, 02/2/2021 @ 19:37pm


Why hasn't Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge not been inducted to the R&R Hall of Fame????? WAY past due. It took too long for Neil Diamond to FINALLY get inducted, too.

Posted by Sue Bigsby on Saturday, 04/17/2021 @ 06:55am


Johnny maestro was the best of all the artists during the doo wop era and beyond. No matter the venue he always sounded great. No matter what group he sang with he was always a stand out.
Very wrong that he isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted by Richard on Wednesday, 02/2/2022 @ 17:48pm


A great singer with the. Crests calling all angels is a masterpiece of a brilliant song Should be there without a.doubt!

Posted by Tony Salaski on Saturday, 03/5/2022 @ 19:29pm


JOHNNY MIGHT HAVE RUBBED SOME PEOPLE WRONG WHEN HE WAS 19 OR 20 YEARS. THAT IS HOLDING A GRUDGE TOO LONG. HE BELONGS IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. HE IS MUCH BETTER THAN SOME OF THE OTHER MEMBERS. OPEN UP THE BOOKS AND PUT HIM WHERE HE BELONGS/
.

Posted by PATRICK DE LUCA on Thursday, 10/27/2022 @ 11:38am


Yes let Cousin Brucie intervene Well they did name a street after him! I wonder why he's not in RRHOF A lot of artist passed away not knowing they would b immortalized for their talent so I sure hope all ends well for this cause!

Posted by Charles nicol on Tuesday, 12/27/2022 @ 10:23am


I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was shocked to find that Johnny Maestro was not a member. Growing up in the 50's 60's I loved his music. He had a fantastic voice. In my High School Yearbook of 1960 I listed my favorite song which was "Step by Step" by the Crests with Johnny Maestro lead singer. He should definitely be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Posted by Henry Winkler on Friday, 01/13/2023 @ 20:13pm


Hits with the Crests alone should have made Johnny Maestro an early inductee. His work and his incredible voice with Brooklyn Bridge should have made it a no brainer.. No names, but he was so much more talented than many of the singers who are presently in the Hall.

Posted by Steve Zetlin on Wednesday, 02/1/2023 @ 13:06pm


The fact that Johnny and the Crests or The Brooklyn Bridge are not in the Hall Of Fame is a tragedy.
I went there about six years ago. I ask one of the people there why he wasn't acknowledged.
She didn't even know who he was. I will not go back. big disappointment.
The voice alone should have gotten him in.
The collection of songs is immense.
There are others that have gotten who can't sing or record without autotune .
The politics at the hall of fame suck.
In the present climate, I don't think it matters to the hall.
At 79 I don't have much hope that I will see it happen

Posted by John Zomisky on Monday, 03/13/2023 @ 20:34pm


I can't believe Johnny maestro is not in the Hall of Fame if anyone should be, it should be Johnny maestro. He had a voice with such a wide range, and he touched everyone's soul when he sang.

Posted by peter gravagna on Sunday, 05/7/2023 @ 17:05pm


It is truly an abomination that the RRHF has overlooked Johnny Maestro. Such a talented singer. His contribution to rock n roll and the doo woop sound is monumental.

Posted by Larry Carter on Friday, 05/19/2023 @ 12:42pm


It is a travesty that Johnny Masetro, along with his groups the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge, are not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, selection to the Hall of Fame is much more of a political process than one based upon merit and achievement. For example, look how long it took Pat Benatar to be elected. And, as others have pointed out, there are groups and individual performers that have been inducted that don't even come close to being qualified objectively. In fact, a number of them were not even rock and roll singers. Some examples include Eminem, Foo Fighters, Kiss, Metallica, N.W.A, The Notorious BIG, Radiohead, Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roxy Music, Sex Pistols, Small Faces, T. Rex, and I could go on and on.

Johnny was a man of integrity. He was also humble and had a wonderful personality. He was respected and liked by all. He was generational talent who had a magnificent tenor voice, and many top hits. He performed commencing as a teenager with the Crests and then, after he left the Crests, with the Brooklyn Bridge throughout the rest of his life until he passed away shortly after his last concert in CT, when he lost his courageous battle with cancer. It is abundantly clear that this incredible man, Jonny Maestro, and the groups he sang with, should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted by Pat Caulfield on Sunday, 07/16/2023 @ 21:15pm


What does it take to be inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame? Johnny was a tremendous credit to music. There are so many that should not have been considered for this honor. Along with so many fans I am very disappointed that Johnny and the Brooklyn Bridge have been overlooked for so many years. This is one mistake that needs to be rectified! Joann

Posted by Joann on Thursday, 08/10/2023 @ 10:57am


There's a big void in not having selected Johnny Maestro into the R &R HOF. Unfortunately, the pseudo experts voting today never heard of him, are unaware of his accomplishments, and are too busy electing people into the HOF who are being pushed by people with political clout. Lest we forget, Johnny Maestro's "Crests" were one of the first, if not the first, integrated singing group. That being said, their songs are timeless, still always being played daily on oldies radio. His voice ranks up there with some of the greatest singers of all time. His time within the Rock and Roll world began when he was 16, singing 16 Candles, until his early death at 71. Realistically, not having a long standing R & R icon such as Johnny Maestro in the HOF is the HOF's loss. In fact, when one looks who has been inducted into the HOF, you see a clear political bias…that those with political clout are there without much merit. So, I'll finish be saying the R&R HOF does not I've up to it's name without Johnny Maestro included in the pack.

Posted by Jim Cappola on Monday, 08/21/2023 @ 05:07am


Johnny Maestro should DEFINITELY be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. The man had a tremendous voice. He made the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge a top 10 oldie group. I still to this day cannot fathom why the committee turned their back on such a legend. Hopefully his day will arrive and he receives the accolades he truly deserves ,,,,

Posted by John p on Tuesday, 09/26/2023 @ 18:13pm


I met Johnny in 1958 when he performed in Indianapolis he was a sweet guy. He had a great talent. His songs have been used In countless movies and TV. Give him the credit he deserves. This I pray . God bless you Johnny and rest I peace.

Posted by Frankie konovsek on Friday, 11/10/2023 @ 20:08pm


I met Johnny in 1958 when he performed in Indianapolis he was a sweet guy. He had a great talent. His songs have been used In countless movies and TV. Give him the credit he deserves. This I pray . God bless you Johnny and rest I peace.

Posted by Frankie konovsek on Friday, 11/10/2023 @ 20:09pm


I am listening to Johnny may have or I can. He needs to be in the rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame. His songs and his singing brings me back in time.

Posted by Judy on Tuesday, 11/14/2023 @ 00:25am


Probably the best lead singer in a "doo wop" group during the inception of rock and roll. Yes…"the best". I listen to 50's and 60's Serius radio and not 30 minutes can go by before you hear Johnny Maestro's voice belting out a song. He led the Crests, Brooklyn Bridge, and several other groups. His singing makes his songs magical and more than worthy of recognition for the R&R HOF. Wake up and induct a very worthy terrific singer who placed several bricks in the foundation building housing the R&R HOF in the R&R HOF…NOW!

Posted by Jimmy Cap on Monday, 03/4/2024 @ 21:21pm


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Future Rock Legends is your home for Johnny Maestro and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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