Johnny Cymbal (born John Hendry Blair; February 3, 1945 – March 16, 1993) was a multi-talented individual who assumed various roles in the music industry, and recorded records for a variety of labels over a number of years. Two of his records, which he recorded under different names, became big hits in the 60's.
Johnny Blair adopted the surname of his mother’s second husband (Nick Cymbal) at an early age. In 1952 he and his family moved to Canada (Goderich, Ontario) and in 1960 to Cleveland, Ohio. Johnny started singing at 13 and taught himself to play guitar. MGM Records signed Cymbal when he was 15. They sent him to Nashville, where he cut two singles that flopped, ending the brief association. The first MGM single coupled an uptempo number (the Jerry Lee Lewis B-side “It‘ll Be Me”) with an attractive teen ballad, “Always, Always”.Managed by Jack Gale, Cymbal cut more singles for different labels, almost having an unexpected hit from a demo entitled "Bachelor Man." He did score in 1963 on Kapp Records with "Mr. Bass Man," which featured Ronnie Bright (Valentines, Cadillacs) responding in bass to Cymbal's high-pitched questions.
The follow-up, "Teenage Heaven," stalled outside Billboard's pop Top 40 at number 58. He switched labels, but nothing clicked at DCP, Columbia, Musicor, or Amaret, but you can't say he didn't try or get opportunities. Labels gave Cymbal shots because he hit once and could write and produce (if necessary); five tool recording artists were rar in the '60s.
Labels began using his skills on other artists, but Cymbal still sought the limelight and began recording under various pseudonyms which included "Brother John", "The Eye-Full Tower", "Dallas" and "The Non-Conformists", among many others.
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Mike Rashkow, Ellie Greenwich and Johnny Cymbal . |
Labels began using his skills on other artists, but Cymbal still sought the limelight and began recording under various pseudonyms which included "Brother John", "The Eye-Full Tower", "Dallas" and "The Non-Conformists", among many others.
Cymbal became Taurus in 1969 on Tower Records, and later Brother John on A&M. The recordings didn't sell well and Cymbal hooked up with Peggy Clinger and waxed duets as Cymbal & Clinger. He moved to Nashville and recorded occasional singles until the late '80s. Songwriting became his most gainful occupation during these times and Cymbal's compositions regularly graced the country charts. 
Starting over, he left the West Coast and soon established himself as a writer of consequence in Nashville. Then, with ten solid years of creativity in Nashville, he suddenly died of a heart attack on March 16, 1993, almost 6 weeks past his 48th birthday. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were spread at Lake Radnor in Nashville.Only 5 days before, looking well and happy, Cymbal played a few of his biggest hits in flawless renditions, to a closed group at an informal writers' conference. Playing all alone as a solo performer, this last show was video-recorded and here’s a clip of Johnny singing “Mary in the Morning.”
(Edited from Wikipedia but mainly from a bio by Andrew Hamilton@ AllMusic)