Ram Jam

A subsequent album Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram achieved little success. They continued recording and releasing albums until 1976 with little pop success, after which Santo began a solo career. Despite the controversy, the song reached number 18 on the singles charts in 1977 in the US and top ten in Australia while the Ram Jam album reached top 40. "Teardrops", was another hit, though their LP, Santo & Johnny, was less successful. The song caused quite a stir with the NAACP and CORE calling for a boycott due to the lyrics. Ironically, the song was first recorded by blues artist Leadbelly. The follow-up. Ram Jam decided to rerecord the song with producers Jerry Kasenatz and Jeff Katz, best-known for their work with The Ohio Express and Buddah Records. "Sleepwalk" became a regional hit, and was then released nationally, becoming a #1 pop hit.

Bartlett had also been a member of "Starstruck", a Cincinnati band which had recorded a song called "Black Betty" which had achieved little success. They began recording in 1959 with Trinity Records' "Sleepwalk", written with the help of their mother. Bill Bartlett was formerly lead guitarist for bubblegum group the Lemon Pipers while Blauvett played with Billy Joel in two bands the Hassles and El Primo. The pair were brothers, with Santo the elder; he played the lap steel guitar as a youth, and then taught Johnny to play the electric guitar. Its members were Bill Bartlett (guitar), Pete Charles (drums) Myke Scavone (lead singer) and Howey Arthur Blauvett. Santo & Johnny were an American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn. Ram Jam is the name of a 1970s rock band. Download sample of "Sleepwalk".

Golden Classics (1996). Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram (1978). Ram Jam (album) (1977).