Former Malden resident Johnny A. performs with Friends

Special show at City Winery in Boston Saturday evening

Johnny A., whose real name is John Antonopoulos, was born in Malden and began his interest in music at a very young age when he discovered The Beatles and picked up the guitar to become one of the best guitar players in the world. Soon began a long career starting in the 1970’s with his first band, Streets, performing locally in Boston until he was put on the radar nationally with his band, Hearts on Fire, in 1986 winning the WBCN Rock N’ Roll Rumble and producing local singles on the New England radio scene. On Saturday night, Johnny A. hosted a show with local and internationally-renowned musical legends, pictured above, from left, Johnny A., Blues legend James Montgomery, Sal Baglio of The Stompers, and Jon Butcher of Jon Butcher Axis for a scorching guitar session at the City Winery in Boston.  (Advocate photo by JD Mitchell)