Jaimoe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jai Johanny Johanson
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Jaimoe performing with The Allman Brothers Band in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Lee Johnson |
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| Born | July 8, 1944 Ocean Springs, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | The Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Les Brers |
John Lee Johnson (born July 8, 1944), known as Jaimoe, is an American drummer and percussionist. He is famous for being one of the first members of The Allman Brothers Band. After Dickey Betts passed away on April 18, 2024, Jaimoe became the last original member of the band still alive.
In the 1960s, Jaimoe played drums for many soul music artists like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. While touring, he met the musicians who would form The Allman Brothers Band. This band was special because it had two drummers, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks. They mixed different music styles like R&B, blues, jazz, country, and rock to create their own unique southern rock sound.
Later, Jaimoe also started a band called Sea Level. He rejoined The Allman Brothers Band in 1989. The band kept playing until they officially stopped in 2014. Today, Jaimoe leads his own jazz band called Jaimoe's Jasssz Band. In 1995, he and the other members of The Allman Brothers Band were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Contents
Jaimoe's Musical Journey
Starting Out as a Drummer
Jaimoe was born John Lee Johnson in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on July 8, 1944. He grew up loving R&B music and started playing drums when he was young. He often played with his friend Lamar Williams on bass. Jaimoe played drums for famous soul singers. In 1966, he toured with Otis Redding. After that, he toured with the popular duo, Sam & Dave.
In February 1969, Jaimoe met Duane Allman. He was the first person Duane asked to join his new band. Soon, Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), Dickey Betts (guitar), and Duane's younger brother, Gregg Allman (singer and keyboard player), joined too. The band was named The Allman Brothers Band. They started recording music in Macon, Georgia, which became their home.
Jaimoe's love for jazz music helped shape the band's style. They often made up parts of their songs as they played, mixing blues, country, and Western swing. Jaimoe once said, "Music is music, and there's no such things as jazz or rock ’n’ roll." He learned to play different styles, which helped make the band's sound special.
Rising to Fame (1970-1980)
The Allman Brothers Band had a unique sound. They had two lead guitars played by Dickey Betts and Duane Allman. They also had two drummers, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks. People quickly learned that you had to see them play live. Their first two albums, The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970), received good reviews but were not huge hits.
Their third album, At Fillmore East, changed everything. It was recorded live in New York City in March 1971. This album made them one of the biggest rock bands in America. It became a gold album in October 1971, meaning it sold many copies.
Sadly, the band faced tragedy soon after. Duane Allman passed away in a motorcycle accident. The band was shaken but kept going. They released Eat A Peach in 1972, which reached number 4 on the music charts. This album included live songs and new studio songs.
After touring as a five-member band, they added keyboard player Chuck Leavell. While recording their next album, Berry Oakley also passed away in a motorcycle accident. Lamar Williams, a bass player and friend of Jaimoe, joined the band. The album they made, Brothers and Sisters (1973), had more of a country feel. It also gave them their only hit song, "Ramblin' Man." Before this album came out, they played at a huge rock concert called Summer Jam at Watkins Glen.
In 1975, the band released Win, Lose or Draw. After this, the band members started focusing on their own projects. Jaimoe joined Chuck Leavell and Lamar Williams to form the band Sea Level. Jaimoe played on their first two albums. He then rejoined The Allman Brothers Band in 1979.
Later Years and Hall of Fame (1980-2000)
Jaimoe left the band again in 1980 because of back problems. He spent some years playing with local bands. But in 1989, he returned to The Allman Brothers Band. The band was becoming popular again with the rise of the jam band music scene. Many people saw The Allman Brothers Band as a major influence on this new style.
Even with some changes in band members, Jaimoe stayed with the group. In 1995, Jaimoe and the other original members of The Allman Brothers Band were honored. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for musicians.
Recent Activities (2000-Present)
From 2000 to 2014, The Allman Brothers Band had great success. Jaimoe, Butch Trucks, and Gregg Allman were joined by Marc Quiñones (percussion), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Warren Haynes (guitar and vocals), and Derek Trucks (slide guitar). Every March, the band would play many shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York. These shows often featured exciting drum battles between Jaimoe, Butch Trucks, and Marc Quiñones.
The band decided to retire in 2014. Jaimoe now leads his own jazz-rock band called Jaimoe's Jasssz Band. He started this band during breaks from touring with The Allman Brothers Band. They play in clubs in New York and his home in Bloomfield, Connecticut. In 2015, he also joined Les Brers, a band led by his old drumming partner, Butch Trucks.
In 2017, Jaimoe received a Lifetime Achievement Award from his home state of Mississippi for his contributions to the arts.
On March 10, 2020, "The Brothers" reunited for a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. This included Jaimoe and other members from the final Allman Brothers lineup. They were joined by other musicians, including Duane Trucks (Derek's brother) and Chuck Leavell. Jaimoe said he wanted to play music with his "brothers" to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary.
After Dickey Betts passed away on April 18, 2024, Jaimoe became the last original member of The Allman Brothers Band still alive.
Jai Johanny Johanson discography
The Allman Brothers Band
- The Allman Brothers Band (1969)
- Idlewild South (1970)
- At Fillmore East (1971)
- Eat a Peach (1972)
- Brothers and Sisters (1973)
- Win, Lose or Draw (1975)
- Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas (1976)
- Enlightened Rogues (1979)
- Reach for the Sky (1980)
- Seven Turns (1990)
- Shades of Two Worlds (1991)
- An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: First Set (1992)
- Where It All Begins (1994)
- An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: 2nd Set (1995)
- Peakin' at the Beacon (2000)
- Hittin' the Note (2003)
Sea Level
- Sea Level (1977)
- Cats on the Coast (1977)
Jaimoe's Jasssz Band
- Ed Blackwell Memorial Concert 2/27/2008 (2008)
- Live at the Double Down Grill 1/28/2006 (2008)
- Renaissance Man (2011)
- Live at 2016 Wanee Music Festival (2016)
- Live at 2016 Peach Music Festival (2016)
- Wanee Music Festival: Recorded Live at Cornett's Spirit of Suwanee Music Park, April 19–22, 2017 (2017)
- Live at 2018 Peach Music Festival (2018)
- Live at Wanee 2018 (2018)
- Live at the 2019 Peach Music Festival (2019)
Images for kids
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Jaimoe performing at Mountain Jam in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Jai Johanny Johanson para niños
