By Joe Puccio

Flashdance. Scarface. Coming to America. Staying Alive. American Hot Wax. These are just a smattering of the motion picture soundtracks that singer-songwriter Joe “Bean” Esposito has crafted timeless tunes for. Whether it was as a founding member of harmonious R&B trio Brooklyn Dreams (with Bruce Sudano and Eddie Hokenson), as a passionate soulful solo artist, or as a poignant lyricist, Esposito’s film companion resume is arguably one of the music industry’s most impressive.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Esposito’s penchant for performing originated as a child. “It seemed like every other street corner had guys singing in a cappella groups where I grew up,” Esposito explained, in a recent conversation with Generation X Wire. “That’s really how I first got into music and from there, I discovered Elvis Presley, and the beginning of rock and roll.”

Growing up in a considerably rough neighborhood proved to be a challenge for the admittedly tranquil teen as he was more interested in pursuing the arts than the streets. “When I was in junior high school, I was hanging around with a bunch of tough kids, who I really didn’t fit in with,” he remembered. “I met Eddie in science class and when I found out he could sing, that changed my life. I wasn’t into drugs or getting into trouble. Later on, we met Bruce in the candy store that Eddie’s mother owned and the three of us became friends.”

Years later, success struck Sudano first, as he and his group, Alive ‘N Kickin’, with an assist from writer/producer Tommy James, scored a hit record named “Tighter, Tighter.” “He was the first one in my neighborhood to do it,” he acknowledged. “Eventually, a friend of mine, Vini Poncia, who had a record company called MAP City Records, asked me to go to California with him. So, Eddie and I got in my Volkswagen and drove out there. A month later, Bruce joined us. Susan Munao, who was the Vice President of Marketing at Casablanca Records, suggested that we make a demo.” Fortunately, the finished product found its way to the company’s founder, Neil Bogart, and the result was a record deal for Esposito, Sudano, and Hokenson – and Brooklyn Dreams was born.

With Esposito serving as the band’s lead singer, the pop outfit’s pinnacle came in 1978, providing disco icon Donna Summer with backing vocals on her chart topping single, “Heaven Knows.” “In the middle of one of Donna’s big hits, “MacArthur Park,” there’s an instrumental section and Neil said that part was another hit record,” Esposito recalled. “Donna and Giorgio (Moroder, producer) decided to use me to sing the duet with her. Next thing I know, it was a number three record! Everything we did with Donna turned to gold.”

While Brooklyn Dreams’ achievements were certainly noteworthy, it was a rousing, fist-pumping rocker that truly put Esposito on the map once the band went their own ways. Initially unleashed on film audiences via the seminal 1984 martial arts drama The Karate Kid, “You’re the Best” was the quintessential adrenaline-fueled anthem in the movie, providing the perfect backdrop to the All-Valley Karate Championships montage for Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The succinct, synth-pop number, written by Bill Conti (music) and Allee Willis (lyrics), was an immediate crowd pleaser. But as associated as the track is with the revered, coming-of-age, teen action flick, it was originally earmarked for a different ‘80s blockbuster. “It was supposed to be in Rocky III,” Esposito revealed. “Allee and Bill got me to sing “You’re the Best” because they knew that (Sylvester) Stallone liked Brooklyn Dreams. Unfortunately, it got bumped for “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. But John Avildsen, the director of The Karate Kid, liked it so much that he used it. It became one of the biggest things I ever did. You just never know.”

Although the picture is over 40 years old, a brand-new generation of media consumers discovered the melodic ditty thanks to its inclusion in Cobra Kai, the ultra-popular Karate Kid television spinoff. “Just last month, it got 850,000 streams on Spotify,” Esposito affirmed. “Since the show aired, it’s been streamed millions of times. It’s just crazy how that happened. It was a gift from God.”

Incidentally, “You’re the Best’s” motivational lyrics, a key ingredient in its prosperity, serves as an interesting anecdote to the song’s narrative. “On his radio show, Adam Carolla was saying the words didn’t make sense (History repeats itself, Try and you’ll succeed) because LaRusso fights his opponent one time. But it’s because it was written about Rocky and Clubber Lang in Rocky III,” Esposito clarified. “So, I called in to his show, did an interview with Adam, and explained where it came from.”

While Esposito’s moving ballad “Lady, Lady, Lady” was a clear highlight of the Flashdance album, the performer nearly secured another familiar selection as well. “They were having some problems with Irene Cara and if they didn’t reach a deal with her by a certain point, I was going to sing the title track, “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” he offered. “But at the last minute, they came to an agreement.”

Esposito’s compositions have been recorded by an impressive array of music royalty, from Patti LaBelle to Stephen Stills to Aretha Franklin. But even with such a notable list of collaborations to his credit, he still has a pair of legends who he would’ve treasured working with. “Whitney Houston would be one,” he answered. “I love Bonnie Raitt too. She’s one of my all-time favorites.”

For the past 12 years, Esposito, whose son Mike is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, has been part of The Brooklyn Bridge, a doo-wop group that was previously fronted by the late Johnny Maestro. The grueling travel, however, recently caused the Las Vegas transplant to depart the unit for the time being. “I do local gigs now with a great singer-songwriter named Randy Hall,” he shared. “It keeps my voice in shape. I’m not going to stop until I feel it’s time to stop.”

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