Following graduation from St. John's Preparatory School in New York City, John enlisted in the U.S. army in 1969. While serving in the army Buco worked as a disc jockey for a radio station down south. John finished his service with the army in February, 1972 and returned to New York City. Buco answered an ad in The Village Voice placed by Lawrence T. Cole which led to him appearing in his first hardcore loop in mid-1972