Johnny H publicity photo from Lordize Records |
The first thing I noticed was the guitar. That is one Unique Guitar! The caption under the picture said “Johnny H and His Henchmen.”
He and his band had a couple of Doo Wop hits in the mid 1960's called I Wish I Really Knew and Baby Good-bye. It was on a New York label called Lordize Records.
He has posted 19 other recordings on his myspace page, Most are covers of popular hit songs of the 1950’s and ‘60’s. But what is really amazing, besides that guitar, is his story.
Check out the headstock cover |
Coincidentally Elvis Aaron Presley was born on that same day, January 8th of 1935 and his birthplace was also in Tupelo, Mississippi. It is said that Elvis had a twin brother named Jesse, who was declared dead at birth. This baby was named Jesse Garon Presley. This is something that haunted both men throughout their lives.
Jesse says that he was able to meet Elvis in 1964. He tells the story about that time. Elvis rarely talked to anyone about his “stillborn” brother, but on that afternoon when they met, the floodgates opened up and that's all both men talked about for hours.
Jesse and brother Richie |
In addition to music Jesse Haemmerle did some film work with Frankie Avalon, he was a contestant on several TV game shows and New York city TV show where he played a singing cop.
He was in several other films in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. Through these connections he met up with a lot of other famous people including Frank Sinatra and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
For much of his life Haemmerle has kept busy as a body builder.
He was a member of the Federation of Arm Wrestlers as participant as well as a referee.
In 1969 he created and constructed the first opposing grips arm wrestling table.
I have searched in vain to discover more information about his rather bizarre V-shaped guitar. Its rocket-shape is reminiscent of the “space age” era of the early 1960’s, when we were fascinated with rockets and being the first man on the moon.
His brother, standing behind Johnny H, has a Kay Stratotone with an unusual cover over the headstock |
Jesse and Richie Haemmerle - This is the guitar before the wings and headstock were added. |
©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only)
22 comments:
There's more than one guitar in the pictures. The first and one of the later pictures with the white pickguard seems Kay or Harmony ish to me. In the third picture the acoustic has squared shoulders, like a Martin. Don't know for sure if it actually is. So, he obviously was able to transfer the wings and headstock pieces to different guitars or had more than one made.
The last picture is possibly a Martin. I would hate to think that anyone glued a faux top onto a nice Martin guitar.
Thanks for stopping by Bassedout.
As far as whether he is Elvis' twin, DNA testing could answer that question, or at least narrow the likelihood considerably. Frankly, it sounds like a publicity stunt to me.
My dad designed and made those guitars the one at the tops was stolen out of his car in jersey city nj the other ones he made I have at home
My dad designed and made those guitars the one at the tops was stolen out of his car in jersey city nj the other ones he made I have at home
As far as the wrestling table weedier and stallon took his idea an used the table in over the top we never received any credit or anything
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Hi Chris...I lived on 57th Street in WNY next to John. Did you live up the block?
No way he's Elvis twin. Jesse Garon Presley was stilborn..this guy Johnny doesn't even resemble a Presley let alone be Elvis twin...everyone wants to be a Presley or make a buck off him...
Please tell us more. Any other pictures? We love this cool, crazy stuff.
Great article, man! That guitar was sick! I stumbled across this looking for info on Johnny H because he armwrestled famed actor William Smith (Laredo, Red Dawn, Conan, Batman '66, and like 260 other films and tv shows) at the IFBB World Arm Wrestling Championships for the TV and Film Industry Title. Bill Smith was already multiple world champion at under 200 pounds, and Johnny H came out of the crowd to try him for the title when Smith had wrecked the rest of the field. Johnny H was actually only there to play music for the event, which was part of the Mr Olympia (bodybuilding) weekend. This filled in some blanks for the article I'm about to post about William Smith on plagueofstrength.com, if you get curious and want to check it out. It's all lifting-related stuff, so it might not appeal, but one never knows.
Thanks for filling in a crazy interesting blank for me there- it makes sense that Elvis' long lost twin brother was into armwrestling and bodybuilding given Elvis' interest in fight sports.
And I happened across this article for anyone who wants more info on the Elvis connection: https://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_story_of_johnny_h._the_musician_bodybuilder_actor_and_his_bizarre_conne
Hi im little john Tina is my sister remember us and my mother pam? I am his first born son.
I as johns first soncould enlighten you all
I lived with my dad i am his 1st son john.tina and pam were his family. Any one who likes truth about him let me know left him at 10 yrs of age want to know more??
If I remember the story right... That IFBB event took place in either '68 or '69. I understand it was posted in a health magazine as well.
What is probably NOT in the magazine article... Johnny H. claimed that W. Smith kicked the table and wound up winning the match.
CORRECTION: The event took place on August 6, 1966. I stand corrected. : )
Yes yell me all of it. What is your relationship to pastor bob?
Hi John please enlighten us. Thanks for being on here!
I really enjoy playing games, and recently I saw the best mystery box website that provides a case opening with real prizes. I somehow won a CS: GO-like on Drakemall.com and was very pleased with this gift.
I'd like to know also this is very interesting and looking at the picture they look like they could be related but not identical twins though
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