Johnny Bristol facts for kids

Johnny Bristol (born John William Bristol on February 3, 1939 – died March 21, 2004) was an American musician. He became very famous as a songwriter and record producer for the Motown record company in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Johnny was born in Morganton, North Carolina. He even wrote a song about his hometown! One of his songs, "Love Me for a Reason", became a huge worldwide hit when The Osmonds sang it. It even reached number 1 in the UK in 1974. Johnny also had a big solo hit with his own song, "Hang On in There Baby", in 1974. This song reached the Top Ten in the United States and number 3 in the United Kingdom.

Johnny Bristol's Motown Career

Johnny Bristol first became known in the Detroit area as part of a soul singing duo called 'Johnny & Jackey'. He sang with Jackey Beavers, whom he met while they were both in the US Air Force.

In 1959, the duo recorded two singles (songs released on their own) for Anna Records. This record label was owned by Gwen Gordy, who was the sister of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown. They also recorded four more singles for Gwen Gordy and Harvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi label. None of these early songs became big hits outside the central United States.

Working as a Motown Producer

In the mid-1960s, Motown Records took over Tri-Phi. Johnny Bristol then started working with Harvey Fuqua as a songwriter and record producer. A producer helps artists record their music and makes sure the songs sound great.

Together, Johnny and Harvey helped create many hit singles for famous artists. These included:

• Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (1967)
• "Your Precious Love" (1967)
• "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" (1968)
• Edwin Starr's "Twenty-Five Miles" (1969)
• David Ruffin's "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" (1969)

Johnny Bristol did very well at Motown, working with some of their most popular acts. He helped produce or write songs for:

• The Velvelettes' "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" (1966)
• Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want to Do Wrong" (1971) and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (1973)
• Jr. Walker & the All Stars, who had many hits with Bristol's songs, like "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" (1969), "Gotta Hold On to This Feeling" (1970), "Way Back Home" (1971), and "Walk in the Night" (1971).

One of his last big successes at Motown was Jermaine Jackson's first solo song, "That's How Love Goes" (1972).

Special Motown Moments

Johnny Bristol was the producer and co-writer for the very last singles released by two super famous groups: Diana Ross & the Supremes and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. These songs came out just before the main singers, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson, left their groups.

The Miracles' song, "We've Come Too Far to End It Now" (1972), was a new song. But the Supremes' song, "Someday We'll Be Together" (1969), was actually a new version of an older song by Johnny & Jackey from 1961. You can hear Johnny Bristol's male voice on the Supremes' version of "Someday We'll Be Together". He sings back and forth with Diana Ross!

Johnny Bristol: Producer and Solo Artist

In 1973, Johnny Bristol left Motown to work as a producer for CBS Records. He worked with new singers like Randy Crawford. He also produced and wrote for well-known artists such as Tom Jones, Marlena Shaw, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Butler, and Boz Scaggs. In 1974, he wrote and produced "La La Peace Song", which was recorded by both Al Wilson and O.C.Smith. Johnny's own voice can be heard on Al Wilson's version.

Starting His Solo Career

Johnny was eager to start singing and recording his own music again. When CBS/Columbia wasn't very interested, he signed a recording contract with MGM. A recording contract is an agreement with a record company to make music.

At MGM, Johnny Bristol released two successful albums: Hang On in There Baby and Feeling the Magic. He also had several hit singles from these albums:

• "Hang On in There Baby" (1974): Reached number 8 on the US Pop chart, number 2 on the US R&B chart, and number 3 in the UK.
• "You and I" (1974): Reached number 20 on the US R&B chart.
• "Leave My World" (1975): Reached number 23 on the US R&B chart.
• "Do It to My Mind" (1976): Reached number 5 on the US R&B chart.

He also recorded the first version of "Love Me for a Reason", which later became a huge hit for The Osmonds. In 1975, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, a very important music award.

Later Career and Collaborations

After MGM, Bristol recorded two more albums for Atlantic Records: Bristol's Creme (1976) and Strangers (1978). One song from this time, "Strangers In The Dark Corners", became popular in Europe among fans of rare soul music.

During this time, he continued to work as a producer, mainly for artists on Columbia Records. He helped Boz Scaggs create his blue-eyed soul sound for the Slow Dancer album in 1974. Johnny also produced Tom Jones' 1975 album, Memories Don't Leave Like People Do. This album included five of Johnny's own songs! He was highly respected as a producer and also worked with groups like Tavares, Margie Joseph, and The Jackson Sisters.

By the early 1980s, Johnny Bristol's main audience was in Europe. He sang a duet with Amii Stewart on a medley (a mix of different songs) of "My Guy" and "My Girl". This song reached number 39 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. He also had club hits with "Love No Longer Has a Hold on Me" and "Take Me Down".

His last music releases were a 12-inch single called "Come to Me" in 1991. He also released an album called Life & Love in 1993 for the Japanese market. On this album, he sang a duet of Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's the Way of the World" with his daughter, Shanna J. Bristol. This album was later released in the US in 1995 under the title Come To Me.

Johnny Bristol passed away at his home in Brighton Township, Michigan, on March 21, 2004, at the age of 65. In 2009, he was honored by being inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Johnny Bristol was married twice. His first wife was Maude Perry, and they had two children together. His second wife was Iris Gordy, and they had one child, Karla Gordy Bristol.

Discography

Albums

Compilation albums

• Best of Johnny Bristol (Polydor, 1978)
• The MGM Years (Hip-O Select, 2004)

Singles

See also

• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States
• List of disco artists (F-K)
• List of performers on Top of the Pops