John Verner
Studio and Performance

Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Band Leader
In his 30 plus years as a guitarist, vocalist, composer and performer, Verner’s music has been seen and heard by countless audiences the world over.  At 16 he was already playing guitar in the blues clubs of South Florida with rock drummer Frankie Banali, (Quiet Riot).  Soon he was noticed by local promoters and put on concert stages in Florida performing as guitarist for Bo Diddly and David Peel (Apple Records).  John’s work with Frankie continued, opening for David Bowie, Ted Nugent, Wishbone Ash, Ike and Tina Turner and Yes among others. 

In 1972 at age 19 Verner received a call from David Foster, 14-time Grammy award winner, record producer & composer.  Foster was forming a new R&B group called Skylark and Capital Records sent David to search for band members.  David asked John to audition for the guitar slot, John aced the audition and moved to Hollywood.  Though the venture was short lived, Skylark’s hit “WILDFLOWER” is still widely played and has sold over a million records.  David Foster was a great influence in what would be John’s musical direction, and they still remain in contact to this day.

In 1974 Verner went back to Florida and formed a new Trio and again toured the South briefly opening for big names and headlining packed venues.  John then persuaded the members to return with him back to Hollywood.  The drummer for John at the time was the well-known artist Billy Thomas ( who went on to play with artists such as Mac Davis, Vince Gill, McBride & the Ride, among others).  John and Billy worked together on several projects in the 70’s to include recording sessions at A&M records.
In 1975 the Music Director for Universal Pictures contacted Verner to play a part in “The Six Million Dollar Man” as guitarist for Sonny Bono.  Work continued at Universal to include an appearance on the ABC/TV show “Baretta”.  

In 1976 John was asked to work with the members of Ambrosia performing several shows as a substitute for Dave Pack.  Several recording sessions followed in top studios in Hollywood but the desire to perform live overcame him and on the road he went.   For another five years, endorsed by Dean Guitars, he toured the US, Canada and Hawaii opening up for such acts as, Humble Pie, John Hiat, Pablo Cruise, the Romantics and many more.  Several recordings were made during this time to include “The Chicago Rocks Volume One” LP.   The song John co-wrote, “ It Only Takes a Minute,” was picked out of 5000 tapes submitted for the LP and was one of the top 10 songs of that decade for WLUP (Chicago).  

In 1982, Paul Stanley from the rock group KISS handpicked Verner based on several recommendations, to include Ace Frehley who had seen John perform in Chicago.  KISS arranged an all expense paid audition for him to replace Ace Frehley as the bands guitarist.  The wrong hair color prevented Verner from being chosen, as mentioned by members of KISS on the Phil Donahue show.  

John joined the United States Army Band Program in the mid 1980’s and attended the Armed Forces School of Music.  John graduated from the Military Naval Academy School of Music (Army Element), Norfolk, Virginia, where he completed the Army Band Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course.  John also completed the Advanced Band officer course.  John also Graduated with an Associate degree through Barton Community College and has completed his BA in Music at Thomas Edison State College.

John was chosen to compose the Electric and Acoustic Guitar Duet Titled “Jester” for the United States Continental Army Band CD which was released in the summer of 1997.  Past guitar work also appeared on CD’s titled  “IN CONCERT” and “THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY”.  John is currently serving as a Guitarist, Arranger and Sound/Recording engineer with the United States Army Ground Forces Band stationed in Atlanta Georgia.  Continued guitar works include two more CD’s of the Army Ground Forces Concert Band and one with the Jazz Guardians. As a military musician John has toured extensively throughout the country’s Jazz Festival circuit and has recently played guitar for Lou Rawls and Miss America

In 2006 John received an Army Achievement Medal from the Commandant of the Armed Forces School of Music Military Academy for meritorious achievement while serving as developer of a comprehensive guitar curriculum, improving training for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps Guitar players.

His performances have recently been as far away as Kuwait completing two Southwest Asia Tours, rocking the troops and boosting morale in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.

As guitar instructor Verner is in constant demand and is currently doing local and national clinics along with recording sessions and submitting compositions for film and other artists.  Recently his name has been mentioned on two International CD releases, Quiet Riot “Rehab” 2006 and “Tribute to Led Zeppelin” 2007, recorded by Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot and many other top Rock musician celebrities in respect to the late drummer John Bonham.  John also appears with Frankie Banali on VH-1’s “Quiet Riot, Behind the Music” television show.

John has also received a letter of recommendation for music performance from 14-time Grammy award winner Sir David Foster, one of Hollywood’s most renowned composers and producer.
jjverner@gmail.com
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Musicians Union
Biography