John Platero started playing professionally at the age of thirteen. He was too young to be in the clubs but could be on stage while playing. Since he started playing professionally in Mexico and having a Latin background, as well as rock and soul, John studied Music at Miami-Dade Community College where he was in the #1 Jazz Big Band. John was fortunate enough to play in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. in the late 70’s and early 80’s when the music business was thriving. He learned musical theater with the Kenny Martel Concept and cut his teeth performing with different acts nightly after our three sets. He then went on to play with the Main Event; a 14-piece top-40 band, September’s House Band; an 18-piece top 40 band and Mr. Laff’s; a 6-piece band that played all kinds of music.

In 1983, John moved to Los Angeles to attend PIT (Percussion Institute of Technology) and in six months started teaching at the school. John was voted by the faculty, “PLAYER OF THE YEAR” and eventually toured and played with hundreds of bands and performers including Cher, BoDiddly, Flip Wilson, Robben Ford, Frank Gambale, Richard Gere, Woody Harrelson, Lash, King Cotton, Greg Sutton, Top Jimmy, Mavis Vegas Davis, Suzi Carr  the Silvertone Brothers, Billy Sheets, Juke Logan, Greg Sutton, Menlo Park, Second Nature, Chill Factor, PFR and  Donny Gerard to name a few.

John says, “Of all things in life, music makes me the happiest” and what makes him happy right now is holding down the drum position with BLACK MOUNTAIN THIEVES!