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Johnny Puleo Johnny Puleo (October 7, 1907 - May 3, 1983) was an American musician and actor, who specialized in playing the harmonica. Born a dwarf in Washington, DC (he stood 4 feet 6 inches or 1.37 meters as an adult), he worked as a newspaper seller until being discovered at a contest in Boston held by bandleader Borrah Minevitch, of The Harmonica Rascals. Soon he joined a comedy variety act , during which time he learned the art of pantomime that has contributed so much to his success. He then joined the Rascals with whom he toured the world. He performed in front of notable appearances like the Royal Command in England and the Presidents of the United States and France. In addition to his mastery of the harmonica, he is a past master of the art of pantomime and a dramatic actor of considerable ability. The Harmonica Gang has appeared at top super clubs throughout USA, including the famous “Latin Quarter” in New York and Miami Beach; The “Riviera” in Las Vegas; “Palmer House” in Chicago; “The Roosevelt” in New Orleans and “Twin Coaches” in Pittsburgh and venues like the Moulin Rouge and London Palladium overseas. In 1941 Johnny tried to leave the Rascals and start his own group. The entire new group moved in with Johnny's parents, living and rehearsing in the basement. It did not last long though, because Borrah Minevitch found them and got them working for him again. After Minevitch's death in 1955, Puleo formed his own band, The Harmonica Gang. He recorded various albums with the Gang and solo, as well as acting in several films, most notably Trapeze. He made numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Hollywood Palace, and made his last professional appearance on SCTV the year before his death. He died of a heart attack at Holy Cross Hospital in his native Washington D.C. in 1983. He was certainly one of the most important figures in the history of the harmonica. |
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