Jellybean Johnson
Jellybean Johnson | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Garry George Johnson |
| Born | November 19, 1956 |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | |
Garry George "Jellybean" Johnson (born November 19, 1956) is an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, producer and musician based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] As the drummer for The Time,[2] Johnson worked alongside famed producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and recorded with and/or produced many notable artists including Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, New Edition and Janet Jackson, with whom he had the 1990 #1 single, "Black Cat".
Biography[edit]
After the breakup of The Time, Johnson decided to work as a producer, musician as well as songwriter and became a long-time associate of Flyte Tyme productions. His first assignment was Alexander O'Neal's #11 R&B hit "Innocent" (produced by fellow Time bandmates Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis). On this track, he was not only the drummer, but delivered the guitar solos for the second half of the ten-minute long song. From this recording forward, Johnson became an in-demand session guitarist, drummer and percussionist for O'Neal, Cherrelle, Jackson and more. He also produced a number of hits for the aforementioned as well as New Edition, and helmed Mint Condition's 1991 debut album Meant to Be Mint.
Running parallel, Johnson re-joined The Time for the Prince film Graffiti Bridge and its accompanying Time album, Pandemonium. Shortly after, Johnson returned to touring with Morris Day, while continuing to produce emerging artists and work as a session player.
In 2008, he collaborated with Rihanna at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards,[3] then began work on his solo debut. Following the unexpected death of Prince in 2016, Johnson halted production. He returned to the Grammy Stage for both the 2017 tribute and the 2020 Salute To Prince, and finally released Get Experienced in 2021.[4] During 2022, Johnson founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum[5] and- along with Morris Day, Monte Moir and fellow members of The Time- was awarded a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.[6]
Hits that Johnson produced and co-produced[edit]
- Alexander O'Neal – "Criticize" (#4 R&B)
- Nona Hendryx – "Why Should I Cry" (#5 R&B)
- New Edition – "Crucial" (#4 R&B)
- Janet Jackson – "Black Cat" (#1 Rock/#1 Pop/#10 R&B)
- Mint Condition- "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" (#3 R&B/#6 Pop) and "Forever in Your Eyes" (#7 R&B).
References[edit]
- ^ "Reunion time". Boston Globe. June 27, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
The Time, the seven-man Minneapolis funk band featured in the Prince movie "Purple Rain," are reuniting, 18 years after their last studio album. The band members are (from left) Jimmy Jam, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Morris Day, Terry Lewis, Monte Noir, and Jellybean Johnson
- ^ Gundersen, Edna (June 22, 2008). "It's time again for The Time". USA Today. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
Suited up for a comeback: Jimmy Jam (front left), Jellybean Johnson and Morris Day
- ^ "Singers Morris Day of the Time and Rihanna perform onstage during the".
- ^ "At 64, Minnesota music hero Jellybean Johnson makes his solo guitar debut". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Minneapolis Sound Museum honors local music legends". June 7, 2023.
- ^ "Morris Day & the Time to Receive Legend Award at 2022 Soul Train Awards". Billboard.
External links[edit]
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