Johnny Silvo

Who was Johnny Silvo?

Johnny Silvo was a British folk and blues singer.

Born in 1936 Silvo started his career playing skiffle and jazz and singing solo in nightclubs. When the folk scene took off in the 60s he became a popular guest act at folk clubs.

In March 1967 he appeared, with his own Johnny Silvo Folk Group on the Alex Campbell and His Friends LP alongside Sandy Denny. A month later an LP called Sandy and Johnny was released in which the two singers alternated songs. Silvo also performed for nine years as part of a duo with Dave Moses.

Johnny was also a presenter on Play School in the early 1970s.

Silvo continued to tour until 2011 when he was forced to cancel his autumn tour because of cancer.

He died on 19 December 2011.