Bio
Esposito was a member of the band Brooklyn Dreams, best known for their collaboration with Donna Summer on “Heaven Knows” and “Bad Girls.” Giorgio Moroder asked Esposito to collaborate on his 1982 Solitary Men project, which became Esposito’s first solo album.
In the 1980s, he is best known for his performances of the hit songs “Lady, Lady, Lady” from the Solitary Men album and the 1983 film Flashdance, & “You’re the Best” from the 1984 film The Karate Kid.
Esposito was nominated at the Grammys in 1984 for Album of the Year (Flashdance) and Best Motion Picture Soundtrack (Staying Alive). In 1988, Brenda Russell and Esposito were nominated as Best Pop Duo for “Piano in the Dark”, as he also supplied vocals on the song. Also in 1988, he sang a duet with Laura Branigan on the song “Come into My Life” from the Coming to America soundtrack.
Personal
Esposito is the father of Mike Esposito, who pitched in 2005 for Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies. He is also the father of Joey Esposito, Nicole Esposito and Shauna Esposito. He is married to Lynda Esposito.
Discography
- 1983: Solitary Men – Giorgio Moroder and Joe Esposito, produced by Giorgio Moroder, Oasis Records
- 1987: Joe, Bruce, and Second Ave – produced by Michael Omartian, EMI America
- 1996: Treated and Released – produced by Joe Esposito, Pool Party Records
Soundtrack appearances
- American Hot Wax (1978) Kenny Vance on lead vocals with Brooklyn Dreams performing as The Planotones on backup
- Foxes (1980) Lyrics: “Shake It” performed by the Brooklyn Dreams
- Zapped! (1982) 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
- 3:15 – The Moment of Truth (1986) performer: “Out of Control” – Bob Conti and Joe “Bean” Esposito
- Coming to America (1988) performer “Come into My Life” – Laura Branigan and Joe Esposito
- Butterbrot (1990) performer: “Take Me Home” – Joe Esposito
- Freak City (1999) performer: “Two Bad Boys” – Joe Esposito
Other appearances
- 1981: I’m a Rainbow – Donna Summer, performing “I Believe in You”
- 1988: Get Here – Brenda Russell, performing “Piano in the Dark”
