Johnny Copeland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Copeland
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Clyde Copeland |
| Born | March 27, 1937 Haynesville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 3, 1997 (aged 60) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Texas blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1950s–1997 |
| Labels | Various, including Duke and Verve |
Johnny Copeland (born John Clyde Copeland) was an amazing American blues guitarist and singer. He was born on March 27, 1937, and passed away on July 3, 1997. Johnny was known for his powerful Texas blues style. He won many awards for his music, including being named Blues Entertainer of the Year in 1983. His daughter, Shemekia Copeland, also became a famous blues singer. In 2017, Johnny was honored by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame.
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Johnny Copeland's Musical Journey
Johnny Copeland was born in Haynesville, Louisiana. He loved music from a young age. A famous blues guitarist named T-Bone Walker greatly inspired him.
When Johnny was young, he moved to Houston, Texas. There, he started his own band called the Dukes of Rhythm. He made his first recordings in 1956. The next year, he signed with Duke Records.
Early Music and Style
Johnny's first songs didn't become huge hits right away. But he became very popular by touring and performing live. He played for audiences for over twenty years.
His early recordings included blues, soul, and rock and roll music. He released songs with different record companies. His first single was "Rock 'n' Roll Lily." Later, he had popular songs like "Down on Bending Knees." In most of his early songs, Johnny sang more than he played guitar.
Moving to New York and Big Success
In 1976, Johnny decided to move to New York City. He felt that the music scene was changing, especially with disco music becoming popular. In New York, he met a record producer named Dan Doyle. Dan helped Johnny sign with Rounder Records.
Dan Doyle produced some of Johnny's most important albums. These included Copeland Special (1981) and Bringin' It All Back Home (1985). Johnny won a Blues Music Award for Copeland Special.
Johnny also recorded with other famous blues musicians. He worked with Albert Collins and Robert Cray. Together, they won a Grammy Award in 1987 for their album Showdown!. This album was named Best Traditional Blues Album.
Performing Around the World
Johnny Copeland traveled a lot to perform his music. He played at many big events. These included the Long Beach Blues Festival in 1983. He also performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1988.
In 1985, Johnny played at the Montreux Jazz Festival. He was a special guest with Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double Trouble. They performed a song called "Tin Pan Alley" together. Johnny also played at the first BRBF (Blues Peer Festival) that same year.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Johnny faced health challenges. He had a heart condition that he was born with. He passed away in New York City in 1997, at the age of 60. This was due to problems after heart surgery.
Johnny Copeland lived in Teaneck, New Jersey. His daughter, Shemekia Copeland, followed in his footsteps. She became a very successful blues singer. Johnny is remembered as an important figure in blues music. In 2017, he was officially added to the Blues Hall of Fame.
See also
- List of blues musicians
- List of electric blues musicians
- List of Texas blues musicians
- List of people from Teaneck, New Jersey
