When I came back to California in the early '60s I was hanging out with Jimmy Bowen, Phil Spector, and I wanted to be a record producer and work with other artists.
Johnny RamistellaAll summer long we spent dancin' in the sand, and the jukebox kept on playing Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Johnny RamistellaI think after 1970 or so, after I sold Soul City, I took off for awhile and didn't do too many gigs.
Johnny RamistellaAbout two months into the Whisky, I borrowed some money and rented a remote recording truck.
Johnny RamistellaWhat I really remember is that people camped out everywhere, and the fact everybody expected it might turn into a big nightmare with all sorts of hassles because back in those days everybody was smoking pot and taking acid.
Johnny RamistellaI took care of myself. Basically I'm a vegetarian, I run every day, I exercise. I kind of control my living habits. I try to get a good night's sleep every night, I don't stay up all night and do all that stuff.
Johnny RamistellaGuys like Otis Blackwell and Bobby Darin, and all the guys who were writing songs for Elvis at the time, just hanging around, writing songs, talking about music.
Johnny RamistellaI was working at this club in downtown L.A. from four to eight at night, just Eddie Rubin, the drummer, and I.
Johnny RamistellaThat rich guy you've been seeing, must have put you down. Welcome back baby, to the poor side of town.
Johnny RamistellaI've got a Fender Concert amp from the '60s, the one Joe Osborn used. He played his bass through it.
Johnny RamistellaEven Woodstock turned out to be a disaster. Everybody was stuck in the mud and people got sick.
Johnny RamistellaI was rooming with Jimmy Bowen at the time, doing some gigs, then I went back to New Orleans and played there in '62.
Johnny Ramistella