Joe "Bean" Esposito, known as "Bean," is a Grammy winning American singer/songwriter who had a successful career primarily in the 1970s and 1980s.
Biography
He was a member of the band Brooklyn Dreams, best known for their collaboration with Donna Summer on " Heaven Knows" and "Bad Girls". In the 1980s, he's best known for his performances of the songs "Lady, Lady, Lady" from the 1983 film Flashdance". Also "You're the Best" from the 1984 film The Karate Kid. Esposito supplied backup vocals on Brenda Russell's 1988 "Piano in the Dark", as well as guesting with Laura Branigan on "Come Into My Life". Esposito released his solo debut Treated and Released in 1996.
Esposito is the father of Mike Esposito, a pitcher in the Colorado Rockies' organization.
Soundtrack Discography
- American Hot Wax (1978) Brooklyn Dreams performed as Kenny Vance and The Planotones"
- Foxes (1980) Lyrics: "Shake It" performed by the Brooklyn Dreams
- Zapped (1980) performer: "Updikes Theme" Joe "Bean" Esposito.
- Flashdance (1983) performer: "Lady,Lady,Lady" Joe "Bean" Esposito.
- Staying Alive (1983) Lyrics: "Hope We Never Change", "Moody Girl", "I'm Never Gonna Give You Up", "The Winning End".
- 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.
- Coming To America (1988) performer "Come Into My Life" Joe "Bean" Esposito and Laura Branigan
Discography
- 1996 Treated and Released
Current work
Esposito is living in Las Vegas where he performs as a vocalist at various casino hotels. Esposito is currently writing songs for the movies and does 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."
You're the best / History
Responding to years of bewildered criticism of "You're the Best" on the radio, Esposito called in to the Adam Carolla Show on April 09, 2008. The criticism was that the lyric "History Repeats itself" was inappropriate because it was played during Daniel-san's first All-Valley Tournament in the movie "Karate Kid". Esposito then revealed that the song was originally intended for the Rocky 3 soundtrack but was replaced by "Eye of the Tiger." John Avildsen, who directed the Karate Kid, liked the song so much he used it in "Karate Kid."
