Johnny LaPadula, who adopted the stage name Johnny Largo, went on to a long career in music as a teacher, touring act, arranger, and session musician. That's Johnny playing the accordion in Sonny & Cher's "I Got You, Babe." In the early 70s he became musical director of Mattel's Optigan project. The Optigan (Optical+Organ) was a keyboard instrument resembling the miniature chord organs sold in the 50s and 60s. It was a sort of early sampler. The system used LP-sized celluloid disks onto which were recorded loops of accompaniments and rhythm tracks. These tracks were recorded optically, like a movie soundtrack. A light shone through the tracks and was read by photoelectric sensors. Playback was controlled by the keyboard and a set of chord buttons. LaPadula played Optigan demos around the country and even rode on a Rose Bowl float. The Optigan flopped after a couple of years and La Padula / Largo went on with his musical career.
Incidentally, in 1959 Disneyland Records released an album of Johnny's accordion music, "Melodies for Midnight." According to the Disneyland Records website, "The record promoted the accordion as a new sound, suitable for romance. However, a few accordion classics are included to demonstrate Johnny's versatile and polished talent."
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In Tune With Fun | Published
Boy: Tom sure gets around since he learned to play an accordion. He's always the center of attraction.
Girl: He said it was so simple to play, I'm going to start taking lessons.
Tom: That's right, and there's nothing like the fun an accordion will give you.
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