Marv Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marv Johnson
Background information
Birth name	Marvin Earl Johnson
Born	(1938-10-15)October 15, 1938 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	May 16, 1993(1993-05-16) (aged 54) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter pianist
Instruments	Vocals piano
Years active	1956–1993
Labels	United Artists Motown Records Motorcity Records

Marvin Earl Johnson (born October 15, 1938 – died May 16, 1993) was an American R&B singer, songwriter, and pianist. He played an important part in creating the famous Motown sound. His song "Come to Me" was especially notable because it was the very first record released by Tamla Records, which later became the legendary Motown label.

Even though he had early success in the United States, Marv Johnson became even more popular in other countries, especially in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Marv Johnson's Musical Journey

Marv Johnson was born in Detroit, a city famous for its music. When he was young, he loved gospel and blues music. He started his singing career in the mid-1950s with a doo-wop group called the Junior Serenaders.

How Marv Johnson Started with Motown

A music producer named Berry Gordy discovered Marv Johnson singing at a carnival. Berry Gordy was just starting his first record label called Tamla. Marv Johnson's song "Come to Me" became the very first song Tamla Records ever released in May 1959.

At first, Tamla Records didn't have a way to sell records all over the country. So, "Come to Me" was also released by United Artists Records. This song became a hit, reaching number 30 on the main Billboard music chart and number 6 on the R&B chart. Marv Johnson also helped Berry Gordy write four more songs.

Marv Johnson's Big Hits

Between 1959 and 1961, Marv Johnson had nine songs that made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Two of these songs reached the top 10! Berry Gordy wrote or helped write and produce all of these early hits.

His song "You Got What It Takes" was a huge success. It reached number 10 in the U.S. and number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. This song sold over one million copies, earning him a special award called a gold disc. Another hit, "I Love the Way You Love", reached number 9 in the U.S. and also charted in the UK. In 1960, his song "(You've Got To) Move Two Mountains" became his second song to sell a million copies, earning him another gold disc.

Marv Johnson's International Success

Marv Johnson was very popular in Australia, where he had eight songs reach the top 40, and three of them even hit number one! "You Got What It Takes" was his biggest Australian hit, staying at the top of the charts for over 16 weeks in 1960.

After "I Love the Way You Love" became a top 10 hit in Australia, Marv Johnson traveled there. He performed on a popular radio show called Big Show and toured with other famous artists like Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker.

His songs "Happy Days" and "Merry-Go-Round" were his last big hits with United Artists. They did well on the R&B charts in 1961.

Returning to Motown

After 1961, Marv Johnson's songs stopped appearing on the charts for a while. He eventually left United Artists and signed back with Motown in 1964. This time, he not only recorded songs but also helped write and produce them.

His song "I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)" was a smaller hit on the R&B chart in 1966. His next song, "I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose," didn't chart in the U.S.

However, "I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose" became a big hit in the United Kingdom in 1969, reaching number 10. This was thanks to its popularity in the "Northern soul" music scene there. Motown then released an album for the British market called I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose, which included many of his songs. "I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)" was also re-released in the UK and reached number 25 on the chart. Marv Johnson even toured the UK with Martha and the Vandellas.

Later Career and Legacy

In the 1970s, Marv Johnson continued to work at Motown, helping with sales and promotions. He also wrote songs for other artists, like "Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation" for The Dells, which was a big R&B hit.

Marv Johnson kept singing into the 1990s. He released a solo album on a British record label called Motorcity Records. He was one of the first artists to record with this label.

Marv Johnson passed away on May 16, 1993, at the age of 54. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, and his headstone says "Motown Pioneer."

In 2011, a special collection of all the songs Marv Johnson recorded during his second time at Motown was released. It was called I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose: The Complete Motown Recordings 1964–1971.

In 2015, Marv Johnson was honored by being added to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Marv Johnson's Music (Discography)

Here are some of the albums and singles Marv Johnson released during his career.

Albums

• Marvelous Marv Johnson (1960) - United Artists
• More Marv Johnson (1961) - United Artists
• I Believe (1966) - United Artists
• I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose (1969) UK TMG 680 {Re-issued TMG1052}- Motown
• The Very Best - Motor City Recordings (1995) - Carlton Home Entertainment
• I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose - The Complete Motown Recordings 1964-1971 (2011) - Kent Soul (Ace Records)

Singles