A short while ago, I was looking through a bargain bin at a local WalMart.
A disc caught my eye. A guy I've NEVER heard of before, but I felt like I just had to have this cd.
It was a CD by Johnnie Johnson. Johnnie B. Bad.
I flipped it over and saw that Eric Clapton and Keith Richards were on the CD as well.
Now, I'm sure you .........how do I say this.........you MORE EXPERIENCED musicians, yeah that's it.... have heard of him.
This CD is probably as FAR as you can get from what I normally listen to, but I love this thing!
Do any of you guys remember this fellow? Do you have any stories to relate?
Thanks in advance!
Re: Ok, so I'm late to the party...what else is new?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:18 pm
by ozover50
Johnnie Johnson is an absolute legend, Tony!!
Sadly he left us not long ago but his inimitable style will stay we me until I go. I have 4 of his CDs and a live DVD that was recorded in The Basement in Sydney a few years ago. Check out Johnny Be Back...... 'Real Good Woman' is very much in the vein of 'Tanqueray' - sort of 'swing blues'.
Just can't get enough of him!!
Re: Ok, so I'm late to the party...what else is new?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:37 pm
by peewee
Johnny Johnson was the driving force behind many of those classic Chuck Berry songs of the '50s on Chess! They have a festival every year in his hometown of Fairmont, WV that's named for him; the Johnny Johnson Blues & Jazz Festival. My good buddy, bassman Tommy Hannigan, got to play behind him a few years back at that same festival.
Re: Ok, so I'm late to the party...what else is new?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:10 pm
by Danotron
He was featured pretty prominently in the movie for Chuck Berry's 60th birthday celebration, Hail Hail Rock and Roll.
I think that might be what the video clip above is from. Chuck pretty much says in the movie that he developed his guitar style by trying to emulate what Johnnie Johnson was doing on piano.
have heard of him. 