Johnny Gioeli
Encyclopedia
Johnny Gioeli is an American hard rock
singer. Originally lead singer of the band Hardline
, he is also currently the vocalist of Crush 40
and German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell
's band. Gioeli is often regarded by his fans to be underrated, considering his surprisingly large vocal range.
Re-locating to Hollywood, Killerhit hooked up with Poison's Bret Michaels. The singer gave them his former publicist Debra Rosner's number who instantly became the band's manager. Realizing the need for a front man, Johnny vacated the drum stool for center stage, Las Vegas native Darek Cava taking his place behind the drum kit. Soon after the band switched names to the more appropriate Brunette. The band broke The Doors and Van Halen's single-weekend attendance records on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood CA. Their sensation soon brought attention and admiration to the recording industry. They were courted by top record executives for months. The band had built a loyal world wide fan base. Differences began to develop in the Brunette camp before a recording deal could be secured, and the band decided to call it quits in 1991. He then started working with his brother Joey on songs for an album they were going to call Brothers. However, Neal Schon
, Journey
's guitarist (who was dating their sister at the time) met with them and asked if he could play with them, and they agreed. Then in 1992 they released their first effort, entitled "Double Eclipse," and called themselves Hardline which was moderately successful but not enough to get into the mainstream, especially considering its post-Nirvana release. After this they began writing songs for a second album but once again called it quits while recording the songs due to troubles with their manager and Neal Schon. Johnny had all but disappeared from the music scene until, in 1998, German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell
found himself in need of a vocalist after the departure of Jeff Scott Soto
. Axel had admired Johnny for a long time, saying he always thought Johnny's vocals would go well with his music. Axel eventually found means of contacting Johnny and flew him to Germany to record vocals for his Oceans of Time
CD, which up to date has been considered as one of the best Axel Rudi Pell
albums so far. He is now the permanent lead vocalist of the band and shows no signs of leaving.
He also participated in a compilation album called "Voices Of Rock - MMVII", released the 07.20.2007 where he performed the song "Phoenix Rising". Johnny also collaborated with musician Doug Aldrich and performed the vocals for the song "Face Down" featured on Aldrich's "Alter Ego" album.
Gioeli recently announced that he was working on a brand new project for Italian record label Frontiers Records
. Details of this project are yet to be announced.
, the band was dissolved for 10 years during which Johnny and his brother followed a career in internet business. After he met with further success in the band Axel Rudi Pell
, Johnny and his band Hardline
returned to release their second album entitled II
, released in 2002, followed by the live CD/DVD in 2003, named Live At The Gods 2002. Their third album, Leaving the End Open
, was released April 17, 2009. http://www.rockreport.be/releases.asp
and has delivered his vocals in the Sons Of Angels CD; Thrill Of The Feel, released in 2000. The band has since changed their name to Crush 40 to signify Gioeli's displeasure of turning 40 years old. Gioeli and Senoue have written and performed several songs in recent Sonic the Hedgehog
games, such as the theme tune Sonic Heroes
, a bright, melodic song and in contrast to What I'm Made Of, a distinctly dark, energetic hard rock song with metal sensibilities for the final struggle of the game. He was also the vocalist for the songs Open Your Heart, the main theme of Sonic Adventure
, Live and Learn, the main theme of Sonic Adventure 2
, I Am... All Of Me, the main theme of Shadow the Hedgehog
, and Never Turn Back, the ending theme from the same game. Additionally, Gioeli has worked with Senoue to produce a cover of Steve Conte's Seven Rings in Hand, which was featured exclusively on the Japan-only release True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog
. He also wrote the chorus for the Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 game theme song "His World" and recorded a version of the song with Crush 40
(featured as a bonus track on the game's official soundtrack). Because of his close ties musically to the video game series, Gioeli is often considered by fans to be the singing voice of Sonic.
Gioeli has been working on the soundtrack to the Sonic game: Sonic and the Black Knight
. In October 2008, Gioeli and Senoue took the stage at the Tokyo Game Show to perform some of their most popular Sonic-based songs in front of a live audience for the first time. Gioeli and Senoue have since created a YouTube account and uploaded video footage of the event.
In 2009, a new Crush 40 album was released entitled: The Best of Crush 40 - Super Sonic Songs. This album contains most of Crush 40's Sonic the Hedgehog releases as well as a mixture of old tracks from the NASCAR '98 arcarde game and some brand-new songs including a cover version of the Sonic Rider's theme song; Un-gravitify, a cover of the Cult's Fire Woman
and an original song entitled "Is It You". The album also contains four remixed tracks.
In 2010 Gioeli performed with Jun Senoue as Crush 40 at the 2010 Summer of Sonic
convention in London
on August 7, 2010. It was Crush 40's first full-length performance and their first performance outside of Japan.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
singer. Originally lead singer of the band Hardline
Hardline (band)
Hardline is an American hard rock band. Originally formed in 1991 by brothers Johnny Gioeli and Joey Gioeli, the band consisted of 5 members, Johnny Gioeli, Joey Gioeli, Neal Schon, Todd Jensen and Deen Castronovo. The bands' most recent album release is the 2009 Leaving the End Open which featured...
, he is also currently the vocalist of Crush 40
Crush 40
Crush 40, formerly known as Sons of Angels, is a Japanese-American hard rock band formed in 1997 that is best known for their contributions to the soundtracks of several video games, predominantly the Sonic the Hedgehog series...
and German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player, playing melodic heavy metal. He started off with the band Steeler before leaving to start his solo career in 1989 with the eponymous band Axel Rudi Pell...
's band. Gioeli is often regarded by his fans to be underrated, considering his surprisingly large vocal range.
Biography
Johnny's musical career began in the early 80s after forming the band Phaze with his older brother, Joey. The band underwent reform and he started drumming with the band Killerhit in 1983 at the age of 17. Sharing vocal duties with Joey the four-piece act hit the East Coast club circuit with an enormous amount of success, earning enough by 1987 to purchase their own lighting rig, truck and tour bus (purchased from Jimmy Buffett).Re-locating to Hollywood, Killerhit hooked up with Poison's Bret Michaels. The singer gave them his former publicist Debra Rosner's number who instantly became the band's manager. Realizing the need for a front man, Johnny vacated the drum stool for center stage, Las Vegas native Darek Cava taking his place behind the drum kit. Soon after the band switched names to the more appropriate Brunette. The band broke The Doors and Van Halen's single-weekend attendance records on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood CA. Their sensation soon brought attention and admiration to the recording industry. They were courted by top record executives for months. The band had built a loyal world wide fan base. Differences began to develop in the Brunette camp before a recording deal could be secured, and the band decided to call it quits in 1991. He then started working with his brother Joey on songs for an album they were going to call Brothers. However, Neal Schon
Neal Schon
Neal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with the band Journey. He is the only member to have recorded on all of Journey's albums...
, Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
's guitarist (who was dating their sister at the time) met with them and asked if he could play with them, and they agreed. Then in 1992 they released their first effort, entitled "Double Eclipse," and called themselves Hardline which was moderately successful but not enough to get into the mainstream, especially considering its post-Nirvana release. After this they began writing songs for a second album but once again called it quits while recording the songs due to troubles with their manager and Neal Schon. Johnny had all but disappeared from the music scene until, in 1998, German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player, playing melodic heavy metal. He started off with the band Steeler before leaving to start his solo career in 1989 with the eponymous band Axel Rudi Pell...
found himself in need of a vocalist after the departure of Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the lead singer for the group Talisman from 1990 till the end of Talisman in 2007, the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and for stepping up to the job of lead vocalist for Journey on...
. Axel had admired Johnny for a long time, saying he always thought Johnny's vocals would go well with his music. Axel eventually found means of contacting Johnny and flew him to Germany to record vocals for his Oceans of Time
Oceans of Time
Oceans of Time is the seventh studio album by German heavy metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, released in September 1998 on Steamhammer Records....
CD, which up to date has been considered as one of the best Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player, playing melodic heavy metal. He started off with the band Steeler before leaving to start his solo career in 1989 with the eponymous band Axel Rudi Pell...
albums so far. He is now the permanent lead vocalist of the band and shows no signs of leaving.
He also participated in a compilation album called "Voices Of Rock - MMVII", released the 07.20.2007 where he performed the song "Phoenix Rising". Johnny also collaborated with musician Doug Aldrich and performed the vocals for the song "Face Down" featured on Aldrich's "Alter Ego" album.
Gioeli recently announced that he was working on a brand new project for Italian record label Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
. Details of this project are yet to be announced.
Hardline's Returning album
After considerable success of their debut CD, Double EclipseDouble Eclipse
Double Eclipse is the first album released by the band Hardline.The first track released from the album was "Takin' Me Down", written by the Gioeli brothers with Neal Schon...
, the band was dissolved for 10 years during which Johnny and his brother followed a career in internet business. After he met with further success in the band Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell
Axel Rudi Pell is a German guitar player, playing melodic heavy metal. He started off with the band Steeler before leaving to start his solo career in 1989 with the eponymous band Axel Rudi Pell...
, Johnny and his band Hardline
Hardline
In politics, hardline refers to the doctrine, policy, and posturing of a government or political body as being absolutist and sometimes authoritarian. The hardline position is usually extremist and uncompromising....
returned to release their second album entitled II
II (Hardline album)
II is the second album by American hard rock band, Hardline. It was released in 2002.The album was originally going to be named Hyperspace, but vocalist Johnny Gioeli decided to change the name simply to II because "it's a natural prosecution of what we started with our debut album Double...
, released in 2002, followed by the live CD/DVD in 2003, named Live At The Gods 2002. Their third album, Leaving the End Open
Leaving the End Open
Leaving the End Open is the third studio album by the American rock group Hardline. This is their first album since 2002's II.The new line up for the album features two new band members, Jamie Brown on bass guitar and Atma Anur on drums...
, was released April 17, 2009. http://www.rockreport.be/releases.asp
Work with Jun Senoue
He has been working with video game composer and musician Jun SenoueJun Senoue
is a video game composer and musician from Wave Master, well known for some of his contributions in many Sonic the Hedgehog games. He is also the guitarist for the band Crush 40, which also contributes to many Sonic the Hedgehog games.-Biography:...
and has delivered his vocals in the Sons Of Angels CD; Thrill Of The Feel, released in 2000. The band has since changed their name to Crush 40 to signify Gioeli's displeasure of turning 40 years old. Gioeli and Senoue have written and performed several songs in recent Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog series
Sonic the Hedgehog is the best selling video game series released by Sega starring and named after its mascot character, Sonic the Hedgehog...
games, such as the theme tune Sonic Heroes
Sonic Heroes
is a 2004 platforming single-player/multiplayer video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series developed by Sonic Team USA. It is the first multiplatform title in the Sonic series, developed for Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox and released in Japan in December 2003, in North America in...
, a bright, melodic song and in contrast to What I'm Made Of, a distinctly dark, energetic hard rock song with metal sensibilities for the final struggle of the game. He was also the vocalist for the songs Open Your Heart, the main theme of Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
is a 1999 platform video game developed by Sonic Team and released on December 23, 1998, in Japan by Sega for the Dreamcast. One of its development titles was Sonic RPG...
, Live and Learn, the main theme of Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Adventure 2 is a platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Dreamcast video game console. It was released in North America on June 19, 2001 and in Japan on June 23, 2001 to mark the 10th anniversary of the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog game. It is the sequel...
, I Am... All Of Me, the main theme of Shadow the Hedgehog
Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)
Shadow the Hedgehog is a 2005 video game developed by Sega Studio USA, the former United States division of Sega's Sonic Team. Featuring the titular fictional character Shadow the Hedgehog from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series, the game was revealed at the March 2005 Walk of Game inauguration of...
, and Never Turn Back, the ending theme from the same game. Additionally, Gioeli has worked with Senoue to produce a cover of Steve Conte's Seven Rings in Hand, which was featured exclusively on the Japan-only release True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog
True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog
True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog is a compilation album of various songs from the Sonic the Hedgehog gaming franchise. Its sequel is True Colors: The Best of Sonic The Hedgehog Part 2. It was released by Wave Master Entertainment on January 23, 2008, in Japan only.- Album information :This...
. He also wrote the chorus for the Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 game theme song "His World" and recorded a version of the song with Crush 40
Crush 40
Crush 40, formerly known as Sons of Angels, is a Japanese-American hard rock band formed in 1997 that is best known for their contributions to the soundtracks of several video games, predominantly the Sonic the Hedgehog series...
(featured as a bonus track on the game's official soundtrack). Because of his close ties musically to the video game series, Gioeli is often considered by fans to be the singing voice of Sonic.
Gioeli has been working on the soundtrack to the Sonic game: Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic and the Black Knight
is a title within the Sonic the Hedgehog series, released exclusively on Wii as the second entry in the Sonic Storybook series, following on from Sonic and the Secret Rings. The game is directed by Tetsu Katano, who was the lead programmer of the Sonic Adventure titles and Sonic Heroes...
. In October 2008, Gioeli and Senoue took the stage at the Tokyo Game Show to perform some of their most popular Sonic-based songs in front of a live audience for the first time. Gioeli and Senoue have since created a YouTube account and uploaded video footage of the event.
In 2009, a new Crush 40 album was released entitled: The Best of Crush 40 - Super Sonic Songs. This album contains most of Crush 40's Sonic the Hedgehog releases as well as a mixture of old tracks from the NASCAR '98 arcarde game and some brand-new songs including a cover version of the Sonic Rider's theme song; Un-gravitify, a cover of the Cult's Fire Woman
Fire Woman
"Fire Woman" is a rock song by the band The Cult, written by singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy. It was the first single released from their fourth studio album Sonic Temple, and was subsequently featured on all of The Cult's compilation/ greatest hits albums, as well as being a steady...
and an original song entitled "Is It You". The album also contains four remixed tracks.
In 2010 Gioeli performed with Jun Senoue as Crush 40 at the 2010 Summer of Sonic
Summer of Sonic
The Summer of Sonic is an annual convention focusing on all aspects relating to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The event was created in 2006 by computer game journalist and Sonic fan site owner Svend Joscelyne , as the collaborative creation during July and August of a celebratory website in...
convention in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on August 7, 2010. It was Crush 40's first full-length performance and their first performance outside of Japan.
Axel Rudi Pell
- Oceans Of TimeOceans of TimeOceans of Time is the seventh studio album by German heavy metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, released in September 1998 on Steamhammer Records....
(1998) - The Ballads II (1999)
- The Masquerade BallThe Masquerade BallThe Masquerade Ball is the eighth studio album released by the heavy metal German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell and the second album released with the current line-up...
(2000) - The Wizard's Chosen FewThe Wizard's Chosen FewThe Wizard's Chosen Few is the first 'Best of' compilation album, which is not orientated around ballads, by German Heavy Metal Guitarist Axel Rudi Pell...
(Compilation) (2000) - Shadow ZoneShadow Zone (Axel Rudi Pell album)Shadow Zone is the ninth studio album released by the heavy metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, as well as the third album released by the current line-up...
(2002) - Knights LiveKnights LiveKnights Live is the second live album released by German heavy metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. The show was performed at The Zeche in Pell's home town Bochum, Germany...
(Live CD) (2002) - Knight Treasures (Live and More)Knight Treasures (Live and More)Knight Treasures is a live show and extra material 2 DVD set by German Heavy Metal Guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. There is also a live 2CD set of the show called Knights Live.-DVD1:...
DVD (2002) - Kings And QueensKings and Queens (Axel Rudi Pell album)Kings and Queens is the tenth album by German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, and was released in 2004 on Steamhammer/SPV records.-Track listing:All songs by Axel Rudi Pell# "The Gate" - 1:01# "Flyin' High" - 4:01# "Cold Heaven" - 5:18...
(2004) - The Ballads III (2004)
- MysticaMystica (Axel Rudi Pell album)Mystica is the eleventh album by German melodic hard rock/power metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, released in 2006.The final artwork was done by Colombian illustrator Felipe Machado Franco, Axel explained the artwork: "The 5 knights are on their way home now since they released their crown back from...
(2006) - Diamonds UnlockedDiamonds UnlockedDiamonds Unlocked is the twelfth album by German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. It is a cover album released in September/October 2007. The album consists of 10 cover tracks and 1 self-written introduction track...
(2007) - Live Over Europe 2008Live Over Europe 2008Live Over Europe is a two-disc live DVD by German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, released in 2008 by SPV GmbH.-Disc one:Disc one contains the full live show recorded at the Rock Hard Festival Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 27,2007.# "Fly To The Moon"...
DVD (2008) - Tales of the CrownTales of the CrownTales Of The Crown is the thirteenth album by German speed/power metal guitarist Axel Rudi Pell. It released on 24 October 2008 by Steamhammer/SPV records.-Track listing:All songs by Axel Rudi Pell# "Higher" - 7:18# "Ain't Gonna Win" - 4:52...
(2008) - The Best of Axel Rudi Pell: Anniversary EditionThe Best of Axel Rudi Pell: Anniversary EditionThe Best Of Axel Rudi Pell: Anniversary Edition is the fifth compilation from German guitar player Axel Rudi Pell. It was released in 2009 on Steamhammer Records...
(2009) - One Night LiveOne Night LiveOne Night Live: Live At The Rock Of Ages Festival 2009 is a 1 disc live DVD by German guitarist Axel Rudi Pell, released in 2010 by SPV GmbH.The DVD contains the full performance of the Rock Of Ages Festival 2009 in Germany.# "Tear Down The Walls"...
DVD (2010) - The Crest (2010)
- The Ballads IV (2011)
- Circle Of The Oath (2012)
Hardline
- Double EclipseDouble EclipseDouble Eclipse is the first album released by the band Hardline.The first track released from the album was "Takin' Me Down", written by the Gioeli brothers with Neal Schon...
(1992) - IIII (Hardline album)II is the second album by American hard rock band, Hardline. It was released in 2002.The album was originally going to be named Hyperspace, but vocalist Johnny Gioeli decided to change the name simply to II because "it's a natural prosecution of what we started with our debut album Double...
(2002) - Hardline: Live at the Gods 2002 (Live CD/DVD) (2003)
- Leaving the End OpenLeaving the End OpenLeaving the End Open is the third studio album by the American rock group Hardline. This is their first album since 2002's II.The new line up for the album features two new band members, Jamie Brown on bass guitar and Atma Anur on drums...
(2009)
Crush 40
- Sonic Adventure Vocal mini-Album (Songs with Attitude) (1998)
- Thrill of the FeelThrill of the FeelThrill of the Feel is Crush 40's first album. It was the only album released under their original name, Sons of Angels, because the band later decided to rename after the reunion of the Norwegian band Sons of Angels. The album contains all of the tracks that the band recorded for NASCAR Arcade...
(2000) - Sonic Adventure 2 Vocals Collection: Cuts Unleashed(2001)
- Crush 40Crush 40 (album)Crush 40 is the second album of Crush 40, released by Frontiers Records. The album contains the same music as their previous album, Thrill of the Feel, with the same racing theme of the songs written for NASCAR Arcade. However, this album excluded the previous album's instrumental tracks and added...
(2003) - Triple Threat: Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax (2003)
- Shadow the HedgehogShadow the Hedgehog (video game)Shadow the Hedgehog is a 2005 video game developed by Sega Studio USA, the former United States division of Sega's Sonic Team. Featuring the titular fictional character Shadow the Hedgehog from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series, the game was revealed at the March 2005 Walk of Game inauguration of...
Original Soundtrack (2006) - Sonic the Hedgehog Vocal Traxx: Several WillsSonic the Hedgehog Vocal Traxx: Several Willsis the official vocal songs soundtrack for the video game Sonic The Hedgehog released on November 14, 2006.- Album Information :It features four vocal tracks that were featured in the game and three bonus tracks exclusive to this release...
(2007) - True Blue: The Best of Sonic the HedgehogTrue Blue: The Best of Sonic the HedgehogTrue Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog is a compilation album of various songs from the Sonic the Hedgehog gaming franchise. Its sequel is True Colors: The Best of Sonic The Hedgehog Part 2. It was released by Wave Master Entertainment on January 23, 2008, in Japan only.- Album information :This...
(2008) - Face to Faith: Sonic and the Black Knight Vocal TraxFace to Faith: Sonic and the Black Knight Vocal TraxFace to Faith: Sonic and the Black Knight Vocal Trax is the official soundtrack for the video game Sonic and the Black Knight which features vocals. The soundtrack was released on April 8, 2009 in Sega Direct Stores in Japan through Wave Master...
(2009) - The Best of Crush 40 – Super Sonic SongsThe Best of Crush 40 – Super Sonic SongsThe songs "I Am... All Of Me," "Knight of the Wind," "His World," and "Open Your Heart" were all newly remixed for this album.The song "Un-gravitify" is a cover song and the main theme of Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity....
(2009) - Sonic Free Riders Original Soundtrack: Break Free (2010)
- Sonic the Hedgehog CD Original Soundtrack - 20th Anniversary Edition (2011)
- TBA (2011)
Other appearances
- Brunette - Demos 89-90 (1990)
- Doug Aldrich - Alter Ego (2002)
- Genius: Rock Opera - Episode 2 In Search Of The Little Prince (2005)
- Voices Of Rock - MMVII (2007)