Belle Vernon High School Alumni
Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania (PA)
Thom Johnson
Belle Vernon High School
Class of 1975
→ Join 2371 Alumni from Belle Vernon High School that have already claimed their alumni profiles.
→ There are 74 classes, starting with the class of 1935 all the way up to class of 2022.
THOM'S PROFILE
First Name | Thom |
Last Name | Johnson |
Graduation Year | Class of 1975 |
Gender | Male |
Hometown | Fayette City, Pennsylvania |
Relationship Status | Married |
About Me | Keyboardist / vocalist / song writer. Over 40 years in the Music Industry Began life as a piano player at age 6 started taking lessons from Joe Bell, by age 11 I was playing the Warsaw Concerto from memory. I then began taking lessons on organ and piano from Ed Sedlar. I use to think that 2 hours a day practicing while my friends were all outside was a waste of time and energy. Only to prove me wrong, as the band offers started rolling in, but not as a keyboardist, but as a bass guitarist. I learned to play bass on my own as it was cheaper and easier to transport than an old upright or a Conn organ. My career as a musician had just started. My parents noticing the waste of talent of me playing a bass, rushed out and bought me a Farfisa double manual organ and a set of Moog bass pedals. Immediately I was offered a job with an oldies band, Bill Cornell and the Prophets. This actually put money in my pocket 3 nights a week and my parents were more than willing to take me and pick me up at the jobs. Now that was true dedication on my parents part, my dad worked shifts in the steel mill so mom sometimes had to pick me up at between 2 and 3am. I have been on the road numerous times with numerous bands. Have played with a lot of heavy hitters before they were known when I lived in California, back in the late 70s early 80s. Once home and broke as most of us were back then, I formed a band called Sudden Darkness and was picked up by an agent from England named, Berny Beezy, she was a total trip. She managed me and a local band, Arnie and the Country Classics, which was a Elvis tribute band. She hooked myself and a very good friend of mine Sam Pierce up with Arnie and it was a very short lived experience. My best memories with them was playing the State Music Hall and meeting Marty Robins. Berny also hooked up Sudden Darkness with a British rocker, Pete Stephens, who at the time had a record in the top 20 in England. She brought him to America and wanted our band to back him up. Pete came out and jammed with us at the old "Stone Castle" on Rt. 51. We have a recording of that night somewhere on 4 track, I think Rich Krivda still has it. We turned down back...(read more) |
Class of 1975 Alumni and Other Nearby Classes
→ Reunite with 29 class of 1975 alumni that have joined.
Tory Ihrig
Class of 1997
Matthew Steffey
Class of 1988
Arleen Checchi
Class of 1968
Thomas Trilli
Class of 1974
Amy Fowler
Class of 1998
Danielle Biddlestone
Class of 1998
Blanca Garate
Class of 1998
Shelley Samoda
Class of 1993
Denise Angioletti
Class of 1980
Kathy Tate
Class of 1974
Donald Jobes
Class of 1988
Bob Mackey
Class of 1992
Kenny Roberts
Class of 1974
Cindy Morgan
Class of 1970
Jeff Stclair
Class of 1992
Melissa Bergman
Class of 1994
Susan O'toole
Class of 1985
Sherry Farmer
Class of 1976
Kathie Moats
Class of 1982
Luann Young
Class of 1973
Marie Matty
Class of 1988
Harry-pam Lewis
Class of 1978
Nancy Stangroom
Class of 1977
Kristen Belsick
Class of 1999
Recent Class of 1975 Reunions
Plan a Class of 1975 Reunion for Free
RETRO RETREAT for BVA Class Reunions
Invited Classes: All Classes
Description: This 3 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath Nostalgic Guesthouse is perfect for out of town friends or relatives in town for a Class Reun...(read more)