John Adi

Mr. John Adi, also known as Youhana Gershon Adi and Johnny Eddy was born on March 23, 1945, in Kermanshah, Iran to his parents, Gershon Adi and Pari Georgie Golpashon also known as Pari Lazar.  He was the oldest son with four sisters and a younger brother.  He migrated to the United States in 1972 and became an American citizen on April 6, 1977. He passed away on September 29, 1993, at the age of 48 in Portola Valley, California from Mesothelioma, cancer caused by asbestos.  His final resting place is at Turlock Memorial Park, in the City of Turlock, State of California, United States.  John had an associate degree in the field of “Topography of Construction” according to his construction diploma from the Ministry of Culture, Engineers of Kakh-e Danesh. He held an “Electric Radio” certificate from the Cultural Institute of Kar-Va-Amuzesh.  While in Iran, he worked as a surveyor in construction and a Transit man for the American Embassy in the Diplomatic Transmitter Station.  In the United States, he held various jobs and completed his career as an HVAC Contractor.

According to his youngest sister, Ms. Romena Jonas, also a singer, John was born a singer, and music was in his blood.  John was always testing boundaries, exploring the limits, and was always eager to help and fight for those who could not defend themselves.

John recorded his first two songs in 1970, “Atta Datoor” and “Nishra DKhoomi” on a 7-inche vinyl record.  Both songs were arranged by “Howeek” and produced by “Royal” in Tehran, Iran.  A second record of the same songs was produced later by Eddy Records with a bit of different spelling of the names “Atta D’Atoor” and Nishra D’tkhoomi.”  In possibly 1970-1972, John produced two other songs “Shetokhon Khaata Brakhta” and “Brata De’Kholma” on a 7-inch vinyl as “Star of Tehran”.  The recording studio producing his records was called “Virtue Recording Studios” located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

John lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1972 to 1986.  While in Philly, he performed for the Armenians, Assyrians, and most Italians.  He sang at the Frank Palumbo’s Nightclub in South Philly, Pennsylvania, a well-known nightclub that had hosted celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Patti Page, Teddy Wilson, Sergio Franchi, Louis Prima, The Clooney Sisters, and Jimmy Durante, to name a few. He also performed at various nightclubs in Atlantic City, Pennsylvania, and New York.

On July 2nd, 1977, he was invited by the Assyrian American Association of Chicago, Inc. to perform at its state convention. Reportedly, he has performed for the Assyrians in Chicago at several major events.

John was multi-talented and very energetic.  He was heavily involved in politics and continuously lobbied for Assyrians in Congress and local political arenas.  He also worked for the “Philadelphia Exclusive” newspaper as a reporter in 1984.  On April 6, 1984, he was recognized and accepted as the “Honoris Causa” in the Knights Legion of the Italian American Press bestowing upon him the distinction of “Knight of Goodness.”

In 1986, John moved to Walnut Creek, California, and continued working as an HVAC specialist as well as continued with his entertainment career.  In 1991 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer that he had contracted at the age of 16 while working as an HVAC helper building the Sheraton Hotel in Tehran, Iran.

Between 1991 and up until his death in 1993, John never stopped his artistic pursuits.  He started a TV Show, called John Adi TV Show and he also produced three full albums and cassette music tapes (Nishrit D’Tkhoomeh and Lady of the Night, Eilanat Khaieh and Lemenchenekh, and Shaba Sard.  John sang in six different languages (Assyrian, Persian, Armenian, English, Italian, and Turkish).  He was a charismatic and courageous man who worked hard on his music and relationships despite unrelenting pain from his cancer.  He enjoyed working with Majid Khostavan at Studio 17 and was very supportive of Assyrian, Persian, and local artists in the community as well.

He has worked with famous Assyrian artists such as Shamiram Urshan, George Maragoluf, Ashur Bet Sargis, Paulus Khofri, and Alexander (Shoora) Mikhalian, to name a few.

John left behind three sons, one daughter, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John Adi’s legacy will remain as the first recording artist of unforgettable D’Attat Atour and Nishrat D’Khoomeh.