John Condrone
Birth nameJohn Albert Condrone
Born(1960-11-16)November 16, 1960
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
DiedOctober 20, 2020(2020-10-20) (aged 59)[1]
Maryville, Tennessee, U.S.[1]
Cause of deathComplications from COVID-19[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Johnny Meadows[2]
Billed weight224 lb (102 kg)[2]
Trained byRick Conners[2]
DebutNovember 16, 1978[2]
Retired1996

John Albert Condrone (November 16, 1960 – October 20, 2020), also known as Johnny Meadows, was an American professional wrestler and singer-songwriter.

Early life

Condrone was born in Hollywood, Florida, and raised in Harriman, Tennessee. His father was a boxer with a mobile festival, being paid by visitors to fight.[3]

Professional wrestling

Condrone began wrestling in 1978 with Southeastern Championship Wrestling, and assumed the ring name of "Johnny Meadows".[1] He was part of tag-team wrestling pairs The Paradise City Rockers and The Dream Team.[4] When he joined World Championship Wrestling and fought Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, the Mongolian Stomper, Big John Studd, and Abdullah the Butcher.[5] For most of his career he wrestled as a fall guy (or "job man"), being hired to lose to his opponent.[6][7]

Music career

Condrone retired from wrestling in 1996 and pursued a music career. He was nominated for a Grammy Award and a Dove award from the Gospel Music Association. More than 300 of the songs he wrote were used in television, film, and radio. He wrote for Sony, Disney, Lamon Records, and others. His Rockin’ That Beat song was a Top 10 Latin Salsa hit. His songs were placed on The British CMA Awards, Nashville, Dawson's Creek, The Good Lie and others.[8] He wrote and/or composed songs for Selena Gomez, Julie Reeves, and Kimberly Simon.[4] He toured with The Roane State Boys and Tranquility Express,[9] and performed as a backup singer for Dolly Parton’s band.[10]

His No. 1 songs include: Kimberly Simon's If You Stole My Heart[4] (a Top Twenty CMT video), Bubba Claus, If The Heart Is Right, But Then, and Since I Found You.

Death

Condrone died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee. He was 59.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lugris, Mark (October 23, 2020). "Former WCW wrestler Johnny Meadows dies of COVID-19 complications". TheSportster. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Johnny Meadows". Cagematch.net. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ Vadukul, Alex (November 4, 2020). "Johnny Meadows, Pro Wrestler With a Tuneful Side, Dies at 59". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Gifford, Storm (October 21, 2020). "Pro wrestler Johnny Meadows dead from COVID-19 complications at 59". nydailynews.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Former wrestling star dies aged 59". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Former WCW Wrestler Johnny Meadows Loses Battle To COVID-19". Wrestling Inc. October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Johnny Meadows: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  8. ↑ eMinor. "John Condrone, Award Winning Dove & Grammy Nominated Songwriter Songs". ReverbNation. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  9. ↑ Tedesco, Mike (October 23, 2020). "Former WCW enhancement talent Johnny Meadows passes away after battling COVID-19". WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, Impact News, ROH News. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Singer John Condrone, with a past in wrestling, dies from COVID". Slam Wrestling. October 21, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ John Condrone
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