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JOHNNY HONNERT STARTED YOUNG Nov/Dec 1988 AMICA Bulletin - Author unknown At twelve years of age, John Honnert, Jr. was playing piano in the family orchestra. The date was 1920 in Chicago, Illinois. John still gives top-notch performances at the keyboard, as anyone who attended the Silver Anniversary Convention can attest. His enthusiasm and sense of humor certainly haven't dimmed through the years, and his playing was enjoyed by all. Over the years, Johnny has played in a number of orchestras, in hotels, radio and TV stations, as well as night clubs and lounges. On occasion, he is still called upon to tickle the ivories in local clubs in Florida where he now lives. Johnny was kind enough to share the photographs you see printed here, having brought them to the Convention with him.
Chicago 1920
Bill Hogan's Californians
Allerton House, Chicago 1925-27 SEPTEMBER 4, 1992 - MESSAGE FROM JOHNNY HONNERT Temperature 90 degrees, and it's 2:00 p.m. Dear Dorothy, It is so nice hearing from you. You feel bad? I never will get over what Hurricane Andrew did to me. August 23 at 1:00 p.m., they said EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY, the whole place, about 56 of us, in two buses, mostly in walkers and wheel chairs. And we had to sleep on mattresses on the floor in another nursing center with 900 patients there already. Wowie! and food-what's that? Not even coffee. We stayed two whole days and nights, before they drove us back here, and no lights and water for days! So, what else is new? I heard from Mike and Liz after the convention. They said they all thought about me. Did you go? Alf said he was gonna be there - I haven't heard. I am OK now, thank God. I took off five pounds, at least. I celebrated my 84th birthday and was thinking of the day in California when I was 80, when you all signed a card for me. I never will forget it. How nice. So I see you moved - and to such a nice house - great! Have fun - in the snow, soon? Ha! Don't you miss California? I had an operation on skin cancer, under my left eye, and three more on top of my dome. OK now, I think. I don't play the piano here much anymore. I get tired, so what else is new? I can picture you with all those nice instruments around you, in that new house. Nice! All I have is a portable keyboard, here in my room. Phooey - I don't get excited with it - neither. Ha! "Maine Stein Song" reminds me of the time in 1937 when I played piano at a gorgeous club in Chicago, on Rush Street. Rudy Vallee came in with some folks one night, and the folks asked him to come up on my stage and sing a few songs. But he didn't know I was recording the thing with my machine, and he didn't notice it. Finalh he said, "Oh, recording!" But the little small record I gave to the folks, and I ended up with the record anyway. Wanna hear it? Come on, here in Miami. My grandson was in Florida City (next to Homestead, Florida). Wiped out - in his duplex. He had sent his wife and Stephanie (oneyear old) to stay with her mother. And they are in the same town, and their roof was blown off, I heard. Oh, my - wowie, eh? I haven't heard from him at all, I wonder what's cookin'. I am still sitting on the bed typing this to you. OK? I'm tired already, and I love you, of course, too. Hello to all the AMICAns that you write to. OK? Musically yours, JOHNNY HONNERT VISITED IN FLORIDA By Lou and Elmer Klein While on our vacation to Florida in November, we stopped in to see our Honorary AMICAn, Johnny Honnert. It was one of the high spots of our trip to see the irrepressible Johnny. He lives in a very nice convalescent home in Hollywood, Florida. For a man in his early 80's, he certainly moves around with an energy we could all envy. He gave us the "Cook's" tour of his new home. He seemed to know everyone and everyone living there seemed to know Johnny. Naturally, we stopped in the recreation room at the piano. Johnny played and sang "California, Here I Come" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." He really enjoys getting the monthly bulletin from the Founding Chapter and also the cards and phone calls from Chapter members. Our very pleasant visit ended when Johnny's son, Jack, came to take him home for Sunday dinner. Johnny seems to have recovered from an earlier sick spell. He's still sharp as a tack and a really great guy! JOHNNY HONNERT N. MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA January 17, 1990 Dear Friends,
I have enjoyed being a member for about 19 years now. Please give my regards to everyone. I enjoyed being with them every Convention so far. Hope YOU are doing O.K. too. Seeing the new officers now, reminds me of the fun I had last time I was with them. Congratulations to all of them, please. I don't know when I will be able to meet with you all again. I am recovering, but. . .?. . What else is new??. . . Seeing Elmer and Lou Klein sure was nice. I enjoyed their vacation write-up in the Founding Chapter monthly bulletin, thank them for me again. I hear from a few of the members, and enjoy it vvvvveerrryy much. Heard from our chairman of the Honorary Members, especially Dorothy Bromage, and a call from `Alf" Werolin and Phil McCoy and Larry Norman perked me up for sure, and even Don Ellison, too. Bob and Ginny Billings wrote, too, with their nice news. They all keep me posted, too. Of course I enjoy the AMICA News Bulletin.
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