Teen vocalist originally from Scotland. The sixteen-year-old singer / guitarist was brought to the attention of Jack Gale by his friend and ex-Cleveland radio mate Sid Lawrence. Johnny aspired to be a songwriter and some of his compositions were subsequently recorded by local artists including Audrey Sloat, and Tony Verne. While in Baltimore Gale began working with Johnny and the team wrote “Mr. Bass Man” which became a huge national hit. A follow-up Cymbal/Gale penned song “Teenage Heaven” also scored nationally.
With Cymbal riding high in popularity, Gale left WITH radio and went on the road as Johnny’s manager. Johnny wrote and recorded many records throughout the 1960s. His most successful composition “Mary in The Morning” became a hit for Al Martino, Elvis Presley, Ed Ames, and others.
After recording some promising tunes at Don Costas DCP label, Don closed up his New York studios and moved west leaving Cymbal on his own. With MGM Records Johnny did not have the artistic freedom to choose or write the songs that he wanted. Manager Gale eventually accepted a new announcer position in Boston. Johnny’s next couple of record releases went nowhere. The music scene had changed and the teen style hits faded from popularity. Johnny, still living with Jack and Lovey Gale began having some personal problems and gradually withdrew from the music scene.
In the late ‘60s Johnny moved to California and made a comeback using the name ‘Derek.’ He scored a couple of top-20 national hit records “Cinnamon,” and “Back Door Man” while also recording with a band called American Machine who released a single on Tower Records, and the band Eye-Full Tower on SSS International. In the early ‘70s he released several singles and an album with Peggy Clinger as Cymbal & Clinger. In addition to solo releases, Johnny’s credits include writing and producing two sides for Judd Hamilton “Baltimore” b/w “Sunshine Man” (Air 163)
