John is a self-taught musician, who honed his talents on various night club circuits through the mid-sixties. He spent a good deal of that time as the guitarist for Kelly Jay (Kelly Jay & The Jamies)

He joined Ronnie Hawkins in the fall of 1969. That band, "And Many Others" went on to become Crowbar, after their split from Hawkins.

The nickname "Ghetto" was affixed by Kelly Jay who used it as John's last name in a newspaper interview which John was not present for in 1969.

John's musical tastes are eclectic for the most part. He enjoys listening to blues, jazz and R&B artists in particular. Ray Charles, Larry Carlton, Keb Mo' and James Taylor and Jimmy Reed comprise some of his favourites.

John played with Crowbar as a member of the original band from 1970 to 1974, and then with the reprised version of original members in 1976.(see history)

In the current Crowbar, John plays guitar and sings lead and background vocals.