finetune artist: Johnnie Johnson

b. 8 July 1924, Fairmont, West Virginia, USA, d. 13 April 2005, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Johnson's name may not be well known but his sound has been heard by millions: he was the piano player on most of Chuck Berry's classic Chess Records tracks. Johnson began learning to play piano at the age of four without the benefit of lessons, influenced by jazz and boogie-woogie musicians such as Earl Hines, Meade "Lux" Lewis and Clarence "Pinetop" Smith. After a spell in the US Army Johnson moved to Chicago and began performing professionally in 1946. In December 1952, leading the Sir John Trio, he hired the young Berry as his guitarist. Berry soon began writing the group's songs and became its leader. Chess artist Muddy Waters suggested the group audition for that label and Berry was signed in 1955. Johnson can be heard on Berry hits such as "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Johnny B. Goode", which Berry has stated was written for Johnson. Johnson also played in Berry's road band but in the 60s took on other commitments, working with blues guitarist Albert King among others.

Listen to Johnnie Johnson at Finetune.

(2005) Johnnie B. Bad

Blues #572
Tanqueray
Can You Stand It
Creek Mud
Fault Line Tremor