Little Johnny Rivero, legendary congero, percussionist, producer, song writer and band leader was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. As a young boy, Little Johnny was drawn to the sounds and rhythms of the “rumberos” playing at Jefferson and Randall's Island parks. Little Johnny began practicing percussion at age ten and played in his school’s band. Soon after, he took dance lessons which eventually led to performances on stage with the bands of the era at such famous venues as The Manhattan Center, The Colgate Gardens, The Copacabana and The Palladium.