Johnnie Johnson (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnnie Johnson
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Johnson at the 1996 Riverwalk Blues Festival
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Clyde Johnson |
| Born | July 8, 1924 Fairmont, West Virginia, United States |
| Died | April 13, 2005 (aged 80) St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Genres | blues, jazz, rock and roll |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1952–2005 |
| Labels | Chess Records |
| Associated acts | Chuck Berry |
Johnnie Clyde Johnson (born July 8, 1924 – died April 13, 2005) was an amazing American pianist. He played jazz, blues, and rock and roll music. He is famous for working with the legendary musician Chuck Berry. Because of his great work, Johnnie Johnson was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He also received a special award called the Congressional Gold Medal. This award honored him for helping to break down racial barriers in the military. He was part of the Montford Point Marines, an African-American unit during World War II. They faced unfair treatment but helped bring about important social change. They also helped to integrate the previously all-white Marine Corps.
Contents
Johnnie Johnson's Musical Journey
Johnnie Johnson was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States. He started playing the piano when he was just four years old in 1928.
Joining the Military and Music
During World War II, Johnnie joined the United States Marine Corps. While serving, he became a member of a special all-serviceman jazz orchestra. This group was called the Barracudas, led by Bobby Troup.
After his time in the military, Johnnie moved to Detroit. Then he moved to Chicago. In these cities, he played with many famous artists. These included blues legends like Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
Forming The Sir John Trio
In 1952, Johnnie moved to St. Louis, Missouri. He quickly put together his own jazz and blues group. It was called the Sir John Trio. The group included Ebby Hardy on drums and Alvin Bennett on saxophone.
They had a regular show at the Cosmopolitan Club in East St. Louis. On New Year's Eve 1952, Alvin Bennett became ill. He could not perform that night. Johnnie needed a replacement quickly. He called a young musician named Chuck Berry. Johnnie knew Chuck was probably free because he was still new to playing.
Chuck Berry was not yet a great guitarist. But he added singing and exciting stage presence to the group. Alvin Bennett was unable to play after his illness. So, Johnnie hired Chuck Berry as a permanent member of the trio.
Working with Chuck Berry and Chess Records
In 1955, Chuck Berry took one of their songs to Chess Records. It was a new version of an old song called "Ida Red". The Chess brothers liked the song. Soon, the trio was in Chicago to record it.
They recorded "Maybellene" and "Wee Wee Hours". "Wee Wee Hours" was a song Johnnie had played as an instrumental for years. Chuck quickly wrote words for it. "Maybellene" became a big hit for Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson in 1955.
Chuck Berry signed as a solo artist. Johnnie and Ebby Hardy became part of Chuck's band. Johnnie said he thought they would get better jobs with Chuck leading the band. He joked that having a car (rubber wheels) was better than walking (rubber heels).
For the next 20 years, Johnnie and Chuck worked together on many songs. These included "School Days", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Carol", and "Nadine". The famous song "Johnny B. Goode" is said to be a tribute to Johnnie Johnson.
Johnnie and Chuck played and toured together for many years. They continued to work together until 1973. Even after that, Johnnie sometimes played with Chuck.
Other Contributions to Music
Besides working with Chuck Berry, Johnnie Johnson helped shape blues and rock and roll music. He led the rhythm section for Albert King during a very important time in King's career. Johnnie was also a key part of the blues music scene in St. Louis.
In the 1980s, he was in a band called The Sounds of The City. He also performed with many other blues artists in St. Louis. These included Tommy Bankhead and Oliver Sain.
Returning to the Spotlight
Johnnie Johnson did not get much attention for his work for a long time. That changed in 1987 with the movie Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. This film was about a Chuck Berry concert.
The movie helped Johnnie connect with famous musicians like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Steve Jordan. Before the movie, Johnnie was working as a bus driver in St. Louis. The film helped him return to performing as a headliner.
He recorded his first solo album, Blue Hand Johnnie, that same year. Johnnie started performing all over the world. He played with the Kentucky Headhunters and appeared in their music videos. Eric Clapton hired him for his blues shows in London.
Keith Richards also hired Johnnie for his band, the Xpensive Winos. Johnnie played piano on Richards' first solo album, Talk Is Cheap (1988). Johnnie toured the world as a solo artist. He released albums produced by famous musicians. He also performed with Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and George Thorogood. In the late 1990s, Johnnie toured with Bob Weir's band, Ratdog.
In 1998, Johnnie Johnson shared that "Johnny B. Goode" was a tribute to him. He said Chuck Berry played it one night and told him it was for him. Johnnie had not known about it before then.
A book about Johnnie Johnson was published in 1999. It was called Father of Rock and Roll: The Story of Johnnie B. Goode Johnson. This book helped Johnnie get even more recognition. In 2000, he received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
Johnnie's last album, Johnnie Be Eighty. And Still Bad!, was recorded in 2004. It was released in April 2005, the same week he passed away. In 2005, he also played piano on a song for the band Styx.
Johnnie Johnson passed away on April 13, 2005, in St. Louis. He was 80 years old. He was buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Johnnie Johnson's Legacy
In 2000, Johnnie Johnson had a disagreement with Chuck Berry. Johnnie believed he should get credit for writing parts of many songs. These included "No Particular Place to Go" and "Roll Over Beethoven". The case was later closed because too many years had passed since the songs were written.
In 2001, Johnnie Johnson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored in the Sidemen category. This happened after a campaign by his biographer and Keith Richards.
Johnnie Johnson has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. This honors his contributions to music.
There is also a video called The Blues/Rock Piano of Johnnie Johnson. It teaches people how to play piano like Johnnie.
The Johnnie Johnson Blues & Jazz Festival is held every year. It takes place in Fairmont, West Virginia, near where Johnnie was born.
Discography
- 1959: Organ in Hi-Fi [instrumental] (Riviera Records R0044/STR044)
- 1987: Blue Hand Johnnie (Evidence Music), with Oliver Sain
- 1991: Johnnie B. Bad (Elektra), with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Bernard Fowler
- 1991: Rockin' Eighty-Eights (Modern Blues Recordings), with Clayton Love and Jimmy Vaughan (not to be confused with Jimmie Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds)
- 1993: That'll Work (Elektra), with the Kentucky Headhunters and Jimmy Hall
- 1995: Johnnie Be Back (MusicMasters), with Buddy Guy, Al Kooper, John Sebastian and Max Weinberg
- 1997: Johnnie B. Live (Father of Rock and Roll Music), with Jimmy Vivino and Al Kooper
- 1999: Father of Rock and Roll (Father of Rock and Roll Music), CD accompanying the book Father of Rock and Roll: The Story of Johnnie B. Goode Johnson, featuring new recordings of Johnson and Berry songs
- 2005: Johnnie Be Eighty...And Still Bad! (Cousin Moe Music), produced by Jeff Alexander, with Rich McDonough (guitar), Gus Thornton (bass), Joe Pastor (drums), Larry Thurston (vocals) and Victor "Big Daddy" Johnson (vocals)
- 2015: Meet Me in Bluesland (Alligator), with the Kentucky Headhunters
Singles
- 1994: "Sunday Blues" (with The Kentucky Headhunters)
See also
In Spanish: Johnnie Johnson para niños
- Music of West Virginia
- St. Louis blues (music)
