Midnite Johnny

Midnite Johnny

Midnite Johnny is the stage name of John Morana, a blues guitarist, bandleader and vocalist who plays lead, slide and acoustic guitar. He is associated with blues, blues rock, classic rock, rhythm and blues and roots rock. He is based in the UK, with the verified origin listed as Florida, United Kingdom.

Background and style

He builds his playing around a wide set of blues and rock influences, with a style described as drawing on players such as Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Elmore James, Albert Collins, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His repertoire includes both original material and a large library of blues riffs and songs associated with those traditions.

Career in the United States

Midnite Johnny works extensively in the United States, particularly in South Florida, where he establishes a reputation as one of the region’s stronger blues-influenced guitarists. His résumé includes work with Harvey Mandel between 1986 and 1988, Thom Doucette in 1988 and 1989, Warren Caesar in 1989, James Cotton as a stand-in guitarist, and Bo Diddley on several gigs during 1989 and 1990.

From 1990 to 1994 he plays with South Florida band Kilmo & The Killers. The band tours widely on the US blues circuit and appears as an opening act for artists including Fogat, Jeff Healy Band and Johnny Winter, as well as Mike Pinera and others. The Killers also back up Dan Ackroyd for a pair of shows in Orlando, Florida.

Work in the United Kingdom and Europe

After relocating to the UK, he continues to build an audience in Britain and across Europe. He appears at the Warrington and Nantwich Blues Festivals and the Colne R&B Festival, with the Colne performance broadcast live on BBC Radio Lancashire.

Band and repertoire

With his band, Midnite Johnny presents a broad set of blues, rhythm and blues and roots rock material, describing the group’s sound as one where the roots of blues meet the harder edge of classic rock and roll.