Who Are Johnny & The Moondogs?
It’s 1967—the “Summer of Love”—and strange sounds are coming from a Mount Vernon, Wash., garage. That noise eventually evolved into a successful high school rock band that inspired lifelong friendships and a fondness for performing classic blues and rock. Over the years, personnel from that original garage band spun off into many different musical ventures, including today’s Johnny & The Moondogs.
A Lifetime Of Music
John Savage, leader of Johnny & The Moondogs, has devoted his life to music, as a student, teacher and accomplished performer. John’s musical knowledge and talent run very deep. He is an excellent vocalist and expert on keyboards, guitar and bass. He teaches music at Skagit Valley College, offers private lessons, and performs professionally—with the Moondogs and in several other bands.
Classic Blues
“Johnny & The Moondogs is about a bunch of old friends who like to play classic blues music,” Savage explains. “We grew up listening to the ‘British Invasion’ and loved this music, but we are more inspired by the American blues music that actually fueled the ‘invasion.'”
Johnny & the Moondogs offer a diverse range of classic blues and blues/rock made famous by legends such as Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Wilson Pickett, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Willie Dixon, Roy Buchanan, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, Jimmy Rogers, Junior Wells, Louis Jordan, Albert King, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. It’s an engaging lineup that appeals to most audiences.
The Moondogs
The Moondogs are John’s high school pals and former band-mates Kim Westenhaver (bass, backup vocals) and Ken Morrison (drums); and standout former student and “young guy,” Jeff Stady (guitar, backup vocals).
John and the band continue to work on new songs and arrangements to add to their repertoire. This, plus the dynamic, improvisational nature of the blues, keeps things interesting for Johnny & The Moondogs.
