10 Facts About Johnny Flamingo

Johnny Flamingo, born Melvin James Moore was an American rhythm and blues singer and lyricist.

Johnny Flamingo was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Grant Moore and Gladys Gilmore, and grew up as Melvin Broxton after taking the name of his stepfather.

Johnny Flamingo joined the US Air Force and served in Europe where he performed as a member of a vocal group, the Five Criteria.

Johnny Flamingo joined a vocal doo-wop group, the Dots, formed by singer Jeanette Baker, and became their lead tenor on recordings on Hugg's Caddy label, including "I Confess", a song covered by Paul Anka as his first record.

Flamingo and Baker married, and Flamingo left the group in 1957 for a solo career.

Johnny Flamingo released a series of singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, on various labels including Caddy, Aladdin, and Specialty.

Johnny Flamingo recorded and performed with his wife, Jeanette Baker, and performed regularly at a club, the Den, in Norwalk, California.

Johnny Flamingo sang rock and roll as well as ballad songs in the style of Nat King Cole.

Johnny Flamingo is credited as the lyricist on some versions of the originally instrumental hits "Wheels" and "Apache".

Johnny Flamingo died in Los Angeles in 2000, from cancer and emphysema.