Born in Malden, Massachusetts of Greek heritage and growing up in Boston area, Johnny A. became interested in music, starting with drums at age six. Upon being exposed to The Beatles in 1964 (age 11), Johnny’s parents bought him a $49 Lafayette Electronics guitar. Johnny says his last name, Antonopoulos[2] (of Greek origin), was always getting mispronounced. “It’s always been Johnny A. since age eight,” he says.[3]