Johnny Memphis Band, 70th Birthday Party with Special Guests at The Iron Horse on Thursday, May 15 2025

The Johnny Memphis Band plays rootsy rock ‘n’ roll for listening and dancing.

Combining electric guitar, bass and drums with banjo and fiddle this group has made three releases featuring the original songs of bandleader Johnny Memphis. Playing together for twelve years the band has recently added three-part harmonies to their musical mix. Here’s what people have to say about this versatile quintet based out of Florence, Massachusetts.

“Ebullient” says Iron Horse founder Jordi Herold. “Insanely catchy” is how Ken Mauiri put it in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. “Upbeat, easygoing and humorous” writes Sheryl Hunter in the Greenfield Recorder. “Excellent, smart and funny” writes Joe Gannon, author of Night of the Jaguar. “Good-natured, fun and danceable” says Chris Goudreau in the Valley Advocate. “I like your band,” says legendary NRBQ rocker Terry Adams.

The Johnny Memphis Band features Johnny on lead vocals, bass and mandolin along with great musicians like fiddler Katherine First (from Dicey Riley), drummer Jason Smith (Fancy Trash), guitarist/vocalist Paul Hartshorne (DeMilos), and banjo-player/vocalist Laurie Rozenfeld (The Rogues.)

Johnny Memphis played in various bands (including the Big Bad Bollocks) in Western Massachusetts before starting his own band in 2012. He is also well-known for 21 years as a radio deejay on WRSI, 939 The River. “There’s only one Johnny Memphis” says Masslive in Springfield.