Johnnie Johnson (pianist)

Musical artist

Johnnie Clyde Johnson (July 8, 1924 – April 13, 2005) was an American pianist. He played jazz, blues and rock and roll. His work with Chuck Berry led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for breaking racial barriers in the military.

 Career 
Johnson began playing the piano in 1928. He joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He became a member of Bobby Troup's all-serviceman jazz orchestra, the Barracudas.

Over the next 20 years, the two collaborated on many of Berry's songs, including "School Days", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Carol", and "Nadine". The song "Johnny B. Goode" was reportedly a tribute to Johnson, with the title referring to Johnson's behavior when he was drinking.

Johnson received little recognition until the Chuck Berry concert documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, was released in 1987. The experience forged a permanent bond between him, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Steve Jordan. Although Johnson had been supporting himself as a bus driver in St. Louis, the exposure and experience of the film helped him return to headlining.

In 2005, he played piano on Styx's re-recording of "Blue Collar Man", entitled "Blue Collar Man @ 2120", for their album Big Bang Theory. It was recorded at Chess Studios, on the 46th anniversary of the recording of "Johnnie B. Goode" at the same studio.

 Death 
Johnson died at the age of 80 from a kidney ailment and pneumonia in St. Louis on April 13, 2005. He was buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

 Sources 

 Other websites 

 Johnnie Johnson. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
 Johnnie Johnson Blues & Jazz Society, Fairmont, West Virginia.
 St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Category:Deaths from renal failure
Category:Musicians from West Virginia
Category:2005 deaths
Category:1924 births
Category:African-American military personnel
Category:African-American musicians
Category:American rock musicians
Category:Blues pianists
Category:American blues musicians
Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel