John Calarco -- also known as John Cee or Johnny C -- started drumming at age 10 when his uncle introduced him to jazz. It didn’t take long for Calarco to move on to rock ‘n’ roll, a genre that served him well for two decades.
"I was fortunate to have played with some of Milwaukee’s most prominent bands," says Calarco.
Calarco -- who has received seven WAMIs -- drummed for Big Bang Theory, Tony Brown, Greg Koch and the Tone Controls and the Willy Porter Band.
Calarco co-wrote a few songs with Porter for his "Dog Eared Dream" CD, including the hit "Angry Words." The success of the song led the band to open for Tori Amos at the height of her career. They toured with Amos throughout the United States and Europe.
"During that time, I was fortunate to work with some incredible musicians and meet some influential people," says Calarco.
Calarco has worked with a long list of talented musicians outside Milwaukee, too, including Andy Summers of The Police, Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren, Pat Travers, The B-52s' Kate Pierson, Frank Zappa guitarist Mike Keneally and many more.
In 1997, Calarco left the Willy Porter Band and moved from Brew City to New York City, where he played with the Blue Man Group and Joy Askew, Peter Gabriel’s keyboardist. Eventually, Calarco returned to Milwaukee and drummed for Daryl Stuermer, formerly of the Phil Collins Band and a member of Genesis' touring band.
"Many people think I played with Phil Collins, but I did not," says Carlarco, laughing. "I wish I had. I hear he’s a great guy."
Calarco says he left New York and returned to Milwaukee for many reasons. "The main one was to raise a family. I am married to my wonderful wife, Joy, and we have a beautiful 3-year-old boy named Anthony," he says.
Currently, Calarco is working on two solo CDs, one of which is a collection of instrumental songs featuring the drums. He plans to self-release these CDs later this year.
Calarco has two current bands, String Station Project and jazz / fusion band Hoodoo. He sits in with local country rock band Chasin' Mason and continues to play with the Blue Man Group in New York.
"What can I say besides (I) love ... playing the drums? I hope the journey can continue and that I’ll be able to perform with ... great artists," says Calarco.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
