Johnny Nitro (musician)

Nitro was born in 1951, and he grew up in Sacramento, California. as well as practitioners of Chicago Blues. Nitro, however, was drawn to electric blues, and he found inspiration in artists such as Albert Collins, Albert King, T-Bone Walker, and Guitar Slim as a teen. to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, where he had received an academic scholarship. The experimental filmmaker, George Kuchar, taught at the school for decades. At SFAI, Nitro studied filmmaking, painting, and sculpture. After three years at SFAI, Nitro dropped out of college. He decided that he did not want to make a living as a fine artist. Instead, he would pursue music and auto work. Nitro continued to live in the North Beach district of San Francisco, sometimes out of a 1947 panel truck. He supported himself with various jobs, including auto mechanic work and drag race work at venues such as Sears Point. He picked up the name "Nitro" due to his work with automobiles. As he explained in a 2006 interview, "I was the guy who mixed the fuel, so I was Nitro Man." == Musical career ==

In the 1970s, Nitro began to connect with Bay Area musicians. He played with the Dynatones, a San Francisco-based rhythm and blues band, where many local musicians began their careers. in the Mission district. became a local hub for blues. As Johnny Ace commented, "I know some of that Texas-Oakland grease got into Nitro’s fingers and soul from that experience." That year, the band began to play live shows at the Saloon. The original bass player, who was drawn to slap-funk bass style, eventually quit the band. In 1987, Johnny Ace joined the band on bass. He explained, "My bass playing made Nitro’s band sound fatter and enabled Nitro to have the freedom and space musically to wail... I kept a very simple, pulsating groove going." During these years, Nitro penned many songs. One of his most famous was "Too Many Dirty Dishes." That year, the band recorded music at Bayview Studios in Richmond, California. However, according to Johnny Ace, nothing was done with the tapes. Johnny Nitro developed a strong relationship with the North Beach community, both as a musician and mentor. As J.C. Smith, a Bay Area blues singer and guitarist, recalled: "One time I asked him why he didn't go on tour. He said, 'That way people have to come see me in North Beach.' He was the king of North Beach." ''Drinkin' Triples 'Till You're Seeing Double (Saloon Recordings, 1991), and Trouble'' (2003). His band included various members over the years, including Kathy Tejcka. As he grew older, blues music became less popular in the United States. However, the band continued to play shows regularly at the Saloon and other venues. == Personal life ==

Johnny Nitro (John Newton) grew up in Sacramento, California in the Curtis Park area with his mom and dad (Barbara and Warren Newton). He was the oldest of four children with a brother (Ric) and two younger sisters (Margaret and Anne). Johnny was always a "free spirit" as described by his dad. Throughout his youth, his dad often took him to the local Stock Car races which influenced Johnny's passion for drag racing and his hobby of collecting and building model car kits. He was a talented artist and musician during his high school years. He spent many hours drawing, painting or playing his guitar. On weekends, he frequently performed at parties and local events as the lead guitarist in two different "Cover Tune" bands. The first band he joined was called "The Renegades". He later formed his own band called "Albatross". He graduated in 1969 from C.K. McClatchy High School. He continued his education taking some art and film making courses at Sacramento City College but soon after moved to the bay area to attend the San Francisco Art Institute. As an adult, Nitro was interested in metaphysics. He sometimes attended lectures and received psychic healings at the Psychic Institute in Berkeley. They had one daughter, Kirsten Moore. The couple were friends with Arturo Islas, who became the godfather to Kirsten. After Moore, Nitro dated a woman named Tracy, who owned a bookstore on Polk Street. In 1993, he married Silvia Cicardini, and the couple bought a house together in Antioch, California. Cicardini sang and played tenor saxophone in the Doorslammers. He later separated with Cicardini. Although Cicardini left the band, she would sometimes still make appearances. After their separation, Nitro moved into his apartment above the Saloon, which he had kept for many years. == Death ==

For many years, Johnny Nitro suffered with health issues. Although he quit drinking and smoking, The poem was a tribute to Nitro and included backing vocals from musicians of the Saloon. == Discography ==

• Tom Castro, Johnny Nitro, Kevin Russell – S.F. Blues Guitar Summit Vol. III (1993) • ''Car Fixin' Blues'' (Saloon Recordings, 1993) • ''Drinkin' Triples 'Till You're Seeing Double'' (Saloon Recordings, 1991) • Trouble (2003) == References ==