Johnny Echols facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Echols
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Echols onstage with The Love Band,
July 2019, Bristol, England |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Marshall Echols |
| Born | February 21, 1947 Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1960s-present |
| Associated acts | The LAGs, Love, Arthur Lee, Baby Lemonade |
John Marshall Echols, born on February 21, 1947, is an American songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as a co-founder and the lead guitar player for the rock band Love.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Johnny Echols was born in Memphis, Tennessee. In the late 1950s, he moved to Los Angeles, California with his family. There, he reconnected with his childhood friend, Arthur Lee. Arthur's family had also moved from Memphis.
Johnny started playing guitar when he was young. As a teenager, he played in bands with other musicians. Some of these included Billy Preston and Marilyn McCoo. Johnny and Arthur both went to Dorsey High School. They decided to form a band together.
Their first band was called "Arthur Lee and the L.A.G.'s." Later, they formed The American Four. This band was then renamed The Grass Roots. Finally, in 1965, they became the band known as Love. Johnny also worked as a studio musician. He played alongside famous artists like Glen Campbell.
Playing with the Band Love
Johnny Echols was the lead guitarist and a songwriter for Love. He worked on their first three albums. These albums were Love, Da Capo, and Forever Changes.
On the first album, Love, he helped write three songs. For Da Capo, he helped create the long song "Revelation." Forever Changes is often called one of the greatest rock albums ever. Johnny wrote songs for a possible fourth album. However, these songs were never recorded by the band.
In 1968, the band Love broke up. They were not performing as much. Sales of Forever Changes were not as high as hoped. There were also disagreements among the band members.
Later Music and Tours
After Love broke up, Johnny Echols moved to New York City. He worked as a studio musician there. He played with many artists, including Miles Davis. Johnny also taught guitar lessons. In the 1980s, he moved to Arizona.
Arthur Lee tried to bring Love back together several times. This finally happened in 2003. Johnny Echols joined Arthur Lee and his band, Baby Lemonade, on stage. Johnny toured with them in 2004 and 2005.
Arthur Lee became sick and sadly passed away in 2006. After Arthur's death, Johnny continued to perform. He played with Baby Lemonade. They performed under names like "Love Revisited" and "The Love Band featuring Johnny Echols."
