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*Indicated need for citation concerning Esposito's supposed original performance of the Flashdance title track. He was not a listed songwriter, whereas Cara was.
Changing short description from "American singer/songwriter" to "American singer/songwriter (born 1948)"
 
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{{Short description|American singer/songwriter (born 1948)}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2009}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2023}}
'''Joe Esposito''' (born May 5, 1948) is a [[Grammy]]-nominated [[United States|American]] [[singing|singer]]/[[songwriter]] whose career spans from the 1970s to the present day. Esposito's songs have been recorded by [[Donna Summer]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Labelle]], [[Stephen Stills]] and others.
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Joe Esposito
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Joseph Patrick Esposito
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|05|05}}
| birth_place = [[New York (city)|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| origin =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[soft rock]]|[[synth-pop]]}}
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| instrument =
| years_active = 1977–present
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Donna Summer]]
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}
'''Joe "Bean" Esposito''' (born May 5, 1948) is an American [[singer-songwriter]] whose career spans from the 1970s to the present day. Esposito is known for creating songs that have appeared in [[film]] [[soundtrack]]s, such as those of ''[[American Hot Wax]]'', [[Staying Alive (1983 film)|''Staying Alive'']], [[Scarface (1983 film)|''Scarface'']], ''[[The Karate Kid]]'', and ''[[Coming to America]]''. Several of his songs have also been recorded by [[Donna Summer]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Patti LaBelle]], and [[Stephen Stills]], among others.


==Biography==
==Career==
Esposito was a member of the band [[Brooklyn Dreams (group)|Brooklyn Dreams]], best known for their collaboration with [[Donna Summer]] on the US top ten hit "[[Heaven Knows (Donna Summer song)|Heaven Knows]]". Esposito collaborated with producer [[Giorgio Moroder]] on the 1982 ''Solitary Men'' project, which became Esposito's first solo album. In 1983, Esposito contributed the song "[[Lady, Lady, Lady]]" to the ''[[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Flashdance]]'' soundtrack album; the song also appeared on the ''Solitary Men'' album. In 1984, his song "[[You're the Best]]" was included in ''[[The Karate Kid (1984 film)|The Karate Kid]]'' film and soundtrack.


In 1984, the ''Flashdance'' soundtrack was nominated for Album of the Year at the [[Grammys]]; the soundtrack album contained one of Esposito's songs ("Lady, Lady, Lady") as well as songs from various other acts. In 1988, [[Brenda Russell]] and Esposito were nominated for Best Pop Duo for the song "[[Piano in the Dark]]", as he supplied vocals on the song as well. Also in 1988, he duetted with [[Laura Branigan]] on the song "[[Come into My Life (Laura Branigan and Joe Esposito song)|Come into My Life]]" which appeared on the soundtrack to the film ''[[Coming to America]]''. Joe performs as a vocalist at various casino hotels. During the early 1990s, he and Eddy Hokenson (of Brooklyn Dreams) toured with Kenny Vance and the Planotones, a vocal group created for the film ''[[American Hot Wax]]''. In May 2013, Esposito became the lead singer for the Brooklyn Bridge band, formerly known as [[Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge]].
Esposito was a member of the band [[Brooklyn Dreams (group)|Brooklyn Dreams]], best known for their collaboration with [[Donna Summer]] on "[[Heaven Knows (Donna Summer song)|Heaven Knows]]" and "[[Bad Girls (Donna Summer song)|Bad Girls]]." [[Giorgio Moroder]] asked Esposito to collaborate on his 1982 "Solitary Man" project, which became Esposito's first solo album.


==Personal life==
In the 1980s, he's best known for his performances of the hit songs "[[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Lady, Lady, Lady]]" from the "Solitary Man" album and 1983 film ''[[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Flashdance]]''. Esposito had originally recorded the title track "[[Flashdance... What a Feeling]]"; then Irene Cara was brought in to record it since it would be from a woman's perspective. {{fact}}
Joe Esposito was born in [[New York City]] in [[Brooklyn]]. He is the father of [[Mike Esposito (baseball)|Mike Esposito]], who pitched in 2005 for [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/esposito_mike00.html |title=Sun Devil Athletics |publisher=Thesundevils.cstv.com |date=1981-09-27 |access-date=2013-01-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117024225/http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/esposito_mike00.html |archive-date=2010-01-17 }}</ref> He is a father of four. He is married to Lynda Esposito. Esposito lives in [[Las Vegas]].

"[[You're the Best]]" is from the 1984 film ''[[The Karate Kid (1984 film)|The Karate Kid]]''.

The 1987 the song "I Had The Time Of My Life" from the movie Dirty Dancing, was originally intended for Esposito and Donna Summer; but it was turned down. {{fact}}

Esposito also supplied vocals on [[Brenda Russell]]'s 1988 "[[Piano in the Dark]]," as well as a duet with [[Laura Branigan]] on "Come Into My Life" from the Coming to America soundtrack (1988).

Esposito is the father of [[Mike Esposito (baseball)|Mike Esposito]], who pitched in 2005 for [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/esposito_mike00.html |title=http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/esposito_mike00.html |publisher=Thesundevils.cstv.com |date=1981-09-27 |accessdate=2013-01-16}}</ref>

==Grammy nominations==

* 1984 [[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Flashdance]], Album of the year.
* 1984 [[Staying Alive (soundtrack album)|Staying Alive]], Best Motion Picture sound track.
* 1988 [[Piano in the Dark]], [[Brenda Russell]] - Joe "Bean" Esposito, Best Pop Duo.

==Soundtrack discography==

*''[[American Hot Wax]]'' (1978) Kenny Vance on lead vocals with Brooklyn Dreams performing as The Planotones on backup.
*''[[Foxes (soundtrack)|Foxes]]'' (1980) Lyrics: "Shake It" performed by the [[Brooklyn Dreams (group)|Brooklyn Dreams]]
*''[[Zapped!]]'' (1982) performer: "Updikes Theme" - Joe "Bean" Esposito.
*''[[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Flashdance]]'' (1983) performer: "Lady, Lady, Lady" - Joe "Bean" Esposito.
*''[[Staying Alive (soundtrack album)|Staying Alive]]'' (1983) Lyrics: "Hope We Never Change", "Moody Girl", "I'm Never Gonna Give You Up", "The Winning End".
*''[[The Karate Kid (1984 film)|The Karate Kid]]'' (1984) performer: "[[You're the Best]]" - Joe "Bean" Esposito.
*''[[Lovelines]]'' (1984) performer: "A Time Like This Again" - Joe "Bean " Esposito.
*''[[Thief of Hearts]]'' (1984) performer: "Just Imagine (Way Beyond Fear) - Joe "Bean" Esposito.
*''[[3:15, aka 3:15: The Moment of Truth (1986 film)|3:15 - The Moment of Truth]]'' (1986) performer: - Joe "Bean" Esposito
*''[[Coming to America]]'' (1988) performer "[[Come into My Life (Laura Branigan and Joe Esposito song)|Come into My Life]]" - [[Laura Branigan]] and Joe Esposito
*''[[Butterbrot]]'' (1990) performer: "Take Me Home" - Joe Esposito.
*''[[Freak City]]'' (1999) performer: "Two Bad Boys" - Joe Esposito.


==Discography==
==Discography==
{{Category see also|Joe Esposito (singer) songs}}
*1983: ''[[Solitary Men (album)|Solitary Men]]'' - Giorgio Moroder and Joe Esposito, produced by [[Giorgio Moroder]], [[Oasis Records]]
*1987: ''Joe, Bruce and Second Ave'' - produced by [[Michael Omartian]], [[EMI America]]
*1996: ''[[Treated and Released]]'' - produced by Joe Esposito, Pool Party Records


===Soundtrack appearances===
*1983 ''Solitary Man'', Giorgio Moroder and Joe Esposito produced by [[Giorgio Moroder]], [[Oasis Records]].
*''[[American Hot Wax]]'' (1978) Kenny Vance on lead vocals with Brooklyn Dreams performing as The Planotones on backup
*1987 ''Joe, Bruce and Second Ave'', produced by [[Michael Omartian]], [[EMI America]].
*''[[Foxes (soundtrack)|Foxes]]'' (1980) lyrics: "Shake It" performed by the [[Brooklyn Dreams (group)|Brooklyn Dreams]]
*1996 ''[[Treated and Released]]'', produced by Joe Esposito, Pool Party Records.
*''[[Zapped!]]'' (1982) performer: "Updikes Theme"
*2012 (TBA)
*''[[Flashdance (soundtrack)|Flashdance]]'' (1983) performer: "Lady, Lady, Lady"
*''[[Staying Alive (soundtrack album)|Staying Alive]]'' (1983) lyrics: "Hope We Never Change", "Moody Girl", "I'm Never Gonna Give You Up", "The Winning End"
*[[Scarface (soundtrack)|''Scarface'']] (1983) performer: "Success"
*''[[The Karate Kid (1984 film)|The Karate Kid]]'' (1984) performer: "[[You're the Best]]"
*''[[Lovelines]]'' (1984) performer: "A Time Like This Again"
*''[[Thief of Hearts]]'' (1984) performer: "Just Imagine (Way Beyond Fear)"
*''3:15 - The Moment of Truth'' (1986) performer: "Out of Control" with [[Bob Conti]]
*''[[Coming to America]]'' (1988) performer "[[Come into My Life (Laura Branigan and Joe Esposito song)|Come into My Life]]" with [[Laura Branigan]]
*''Butterbrot'' (1990) performer: "Take Me Home"
*''Freak City'' (1999) performer: "Two Bad Boys"


==Appears on==
===Other appearances===
* 1981: ''[[I'm a Rainbow]]'' - [[Donna Summer]], performing "I Believe in You"

* 1988 ''[[Get Here (album)|Get Here]]'' by [[Brenda Russell]], performing ''Piano in the Dark''.
* 1988: ''[[Get Here (album)|Get Here]]'' - [[Brenda Russell]], performing "Piano in the Dark"

==Current work==

Esposito lives in Las Vegas where he performs as a vocalist at various casino hotels. Esposito is currently writing for film and television. Esposito is still in demand for studio vocal work. During the early 1990s he and Eddy Hokenson (of Brooklyn Dreams) toured with Kenny Vance and the Planotones, a vocal group created for the movie, ''[[American Hot Wax]]''. In May 2013, Esposito became the lead singer for The Brooklyn Bridge band, formerly known as [[Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge]].


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* https://eastcoastmusichalloffame.org/nominees/joe-esposito/
*[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p74446|pure_url=yes}} Joe Esposito] at [[Allmusic]]
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p74446|pure_url=yes}} Joe Esposito] at [[AllMusic]]
*{{IMDb name|0261174|Joe Esposito}}
*{{IMDb name|0261174|Joe Esposito}}
* [http://www.brooklyndreams.com/ Brooklyn Dreams Official website]


{{Authority control|VIAF=17413149}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Esposito, Joe
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| DATE OF BIRTH = May 5, 1948
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Esposito, Joe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Esposito, Joe}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:American soft rock musicians]]
[[Category:American soul musicians]]
[[Category:American soul musicians]]
[[Category:American songwriters]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Singers from New York City]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:1948 births]]

Latest revision as of 03:47, 13 August 2024

Joe Esposito
Birth nameJoseph Patrick Esposito
Born (1948-05-05) May 5, 1948 (age 76)
New York, New York, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active1977–present

Joe "Bean" Esposito (born May 5, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter whose career spans from the 1970s to the present day. Esposito is known for creating songs that have appeared in film soundtracks, such as those of American Hot Wax, Staying Alive, Scarface, The Karate Kid, and Coming to America. Several of his songs have also been recorded by Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and Stephen Stills, among others.

Career

[edit]

Esposito was a member of the band Brooklyn Dreams, best known for their collaboration with Donna Summer on the US top ten hit "Heaven Knows". Esposito collaborated with producer Giorgio Moroder on the 1982 Solitary Men project, which became Esposito's first solo album. In 1983, Esposito contributed the song "Lady, Lady, Lady" to the Flashdance soundtrack album; the song also appeared on the Solitary Men album. In 1984, his song "You're the Best" was included in The Karate Kid film and soundtrack.

In 1984, the Flashdance soundtrack was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys; the soundtrack album contained one of Esposito's songs ("Lady, Lady, Lady") as well as songs from various other acts. In 1988, Brenda Russell and Esposito were nominated for Best Pop Duo for the song "Piano in the Dark", as he supplied vocals on the song as well. Also in 1988, he duetted with Laura Branigan on the song "Come into My Life" which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Coming to America. Joe performs as a vocalist at various casino hotels. During the early 1990s, he and Eddy Hokenson (of Brooklyn Dreams) toured with Kenny Vance and the Planotones, a vocal group created for the film American Hot Wax. In May 2013, Esposito became the lead singer for the Brooklyn Bridge band, formerly known as Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge.

Personal life

[edit]

Joe Esposito was born in New York City in Brooklyn. He is the father of Mike Esposito, who pitched in 2005 for Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies.[1] He is a father of four. He is married to Lynda Esposito. Esposito lives in Las Vegas.

Discography

[edit]
See also: Category:Joe Esposito (singer) songs

Soundtrack appearances

[edit]

Other appearances

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sun Devil Athletics". Thesundevils.cstv.com. 1981-09-27. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
[edit]
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