Robert Johnson

BIOGRAPHY

Guitarist, producer, songwriter and music director Robert Johnson, also known as “Butch Johnson'' and “Robert A. Johnson,” was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Johnson grew up in a neighborhood that was a fountain of musical culture. His neighbors included Sun Studio legends Bill Black, Stan Kessler, Roland Janes, Johnny Phillips. Malcolm Yelvington, along with BJ Thomas and songwriter Dan Penn. Robert's uncle, Barry Johnson, went to school with Steve cropper, Duck Dunn, and Don Nix at Messick High school and played drums with both The Markeys and The Emeralds. In a small house behind Johnson's school lived Bobby Blue Bland. Johnson met all of these music legends at a very young age. By the age of 12, Johnson had an all-instrumental band, The Tijuanas. 

A year later, Johnson was in a band called The Castells which were produced by Bill Black. By the time Johnson was 14 years old, he had played guitar for Jerry  Lewis, Charlie Rich, TV star Jim Nabors, Nelson Riddle, and had joined the American Federation of  Musicians Union Local 71. In 1968, Johnson met William Brown of the Stax Records group, The Mad Lads, who helped Johnson get a job in the mailroom at Stax Records. At this time, Johnson was also playing in a local psychedelic band, The LSD Los Angeles Smog Division, who was produced by Jim Dickinson at American Studio. In 1969. Johnson met Roland Robinson, bass player for Eddie Floyd, Buddy Miles and Jimi Hendrix, who, along with William Brown, helped Johnson land a role in The Isaac Hayes Band. During this time, Johnson was playing on many songwriters' demos at Stax Records, including artists John Gary Williams, Sir Mack Rice, Alan Jones, Raymond Jackson, Betty Crutcher, Homer Banks and David Porter. Johnson was also working at Ardent Studios in Memphis with John Fry and Terry Manning who had signed Jonnson’s band, Country Funk, to Ardent Records. Johnson's first performance with Isaac Hayes was opening for Led Zeppelin at Bill Graham's Winterland in San Francisco on the 6th of November in 1969. Johnson, with the Isaac Hayes Band, played at Elvis Presley's 1969 New Years Eve party at TJ's Club in Memphis. They backed Hi Records singer Veniece Starks with Ronnie Millsap for Elvis' Party. According to Stax Studio engineers Ronnie Capone and William Brown, "Johnson could play guitar like he was told with a natural R&B style and a second later play it six different ways.” 

1970s 

By 1970, Johnson was the house Studio guitarist for Sam Phillips Recording. Johnson worked for Sam, Jerry and Knox Phillips, and Sounds of Memphis Recording with Gene Lucchesi, and Sonic Studio owned by Roland Janes. Johnson was also working at Hi-Royal Studio with Willie Mitchell. Johnson, during this period, recorded with Isaac Hayes, David Porter, The Mad Lads, The Emotions, The Newcomers, Blackfoot, The Soul Children, Sandra Rhodes, The Hot Dogs, Ollie and the Nightingales, Sir Mack Rice, Eddie Floyd, The Barkays, Luther Ingram, The Markeys (Memphis Horns), Ruby Starr, Ann Peebles, Solomon Burke and Jerry Butler. In 1970, he met Billy Gibbons and in 1973 brought Gibbons and ZZ Top to Ardent Studios in Memphis to record their third album, Tres Hombres. Tres Hombres sold over a million copies. In 1971, Epic Records Executive, Alan Douelas, took an interest in Johnson and Isaac Hayes band members. Bassist Roland Robinson and drummer Jerry Norris. Along with Dwayne Hitchings, they formed a band named Steel and released an album in 1971 on Epic, self titled Steel. Hitchings went on to write hits for Rod Stewart including "Do You Think I'm Sexy." Phil Basil, who managed Steel, also managed The Vanilla Fudge and the group Cactus which featured Carmine Apoice and Tim Bogart. This lead to Johnson writing the songs "Bad Stuff,” "Ragtime Suzy,” and "I Can't Wait" for Cactus on the Atco Records label. 

During a trip to London in 1972, Johnson met Marc Bolan. Marc took an interest in Johnson and his Memphis background which led to a jam session and a demo recording with Bolan at Trident Studio in London. In the spring of 1974, Johnson was on the road with Ann Peebles and met British guitarist Chris Spedding. Chris asked Johnson to join his band, The Sharks. Johnson declined but moved to England to help Spedding write songs for their new album. Chris got Johnson to audition for the Andy Fraser Band through Spedding. Johnson met John Entwistle of The Who and John Alcock who was producing Spedding's band, The Sharks. At Ramport Studio, owned by The Who in London, Johnson was asked by Entwistle and John Alcock to audition for John Entwistle's band Ox. At this point, close to 200 guitarists had auditioned, but Johnson got the job with John Entwistle's Ox contingent upon playing on the singles off Entwistle's Mad Dog album. Johnson was ushered into Wessex Studio London and recorded "Cell Number 7," "Mad Dog," and "Jungle Bunny." In the autumn of 1974, Entwistle, Alcock, and Chrysalis Record president, Chris Wright, chose Johnson to play on a concept album entitled Flash Fearless vs. the Zorg Women. Johnson recorded with Entwistle, Keith Moon, Alice Cooper, Nicky Hopkins, Bill Bruford, Justin Hayworth, Elkie Brooks, Kenny Jones, Leo Sayer and Maddy Prior. These sessions led to Chrysalis Records offering Johnson a record deal. In December 1974, Nicky Hopkins told Johnson that Mick Taylor had just quit the Rolling stones. Nicky stated he wanted to give Johnson's phone number to Mick Jagger. On January 31st, 1975, Jagger called Johnson at his London home and invited him to Rotterdam for an audition and what would become the "Black and Blue Sessions." Johnson recorded with The Rolling Stones for four days. Two of the days were with Billy Preston on keyboards and one day was with Jeff Beck and Jagger on guitar. Glyn Johns was the producer and engineer using the Rolling Stones mobile recording studio. 

After the Stones sessions, Johnson toured with John Entwistle's OX promoting the Mad Dog album. After the Entwistle tour, Johnson made an album for Chrvsalis Records under the name of Lash Laroo. Lash Laroo became Roy Harper's band, Trigger, recording his HQ album When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease and touring America. In 1977, Johnson, along with Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, were signed to Ensign Records in London. In 1978, Ensign Records licensed Johnson to Infinity-MCA for his debut album release, Close Personal Friend, for $150,000. The album entered the billboard charts at #98. Johnson toured with The Police and The Knack which, due to conflicts with the Infinity-MCA record label, resulted in Johnson ending his part in the tour. After spending 540 million in 18 months, Infinity-MCA was shut down, and Johnson was without an American label. In 1985, Newsweek Magazine called Johnson's Close Personal Friend LP, "the best album of the late 1970s," and in 1980 Ensign released an album of Johnson’s demos called Memphis Demos. The album was well received in England, Germany, and France, and has become a cult classic in both America and Europe.

1980s

In 1983, Johnson produced Stax Records' R&B legend Shirley Brown on a dance track version of "Urgent" by Foreigner. The song was a top single pick on the Billboard Disco Dance Tracks. Johnson resumed work as a session guitarist in Memphis and for two years worked as a professional drummer. Johnson moved back to England in 1985. He played guitar on Clash drummer Topper Headon's solo record Waking Up. During this time, Johnson was recording a session at Westside Studio and was asked to help Sigue Sigue Sputnik with some technical issues concerning the Fairlight CMI digital workstation. He also worked as a session guitarist at Wessex Studios London. 

In 1987, while producing recording artist Greg Kihn in San Francisco, Johnson was asked to produce and arrange a song written by Y&T's guitarist John Nymann, entitled "Fly Angel Fly." The song featured Eddie Money, Greg Rollie, Eric Martin, and 38 Special. In 1989, Johnson wrote the song This Country's Rockin’ for The Judds’ RCA Platinum Album, Love Will Build a Bridge, and the title track. The album won a Grammy at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards 1990, and a second Grammy at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards 1991. IN addition, it won a CMA Award and an ACMA Award for Best Country Song, Best Vocal Performance, Best Vocal Duo, and Best Country Album. It also reached #4 on the Billboard Country Music charts and #62 on the Billboard Top 100 Pop Albums. The song produced a Billboard Top 10 Music Video. The Judds opened the Country Music Awards TV show in 1990 performing "This Country's Rockin" to an audience of 14.3 million people. "This Country's Rockin" was rereleased in 1992 on The Judds Greatest hits volume , which peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top 100 Country Albums. It was also re-released in 1993 on Curb/RCA Records under the album title This Country's Rockin’ by The Judds, charting at number 40 on the Billboard Top 100 country Albums. The song was used in a Sesame Street TV episode, "When Elmo Grows Up," in 1996, and a highly successful Sesame Street Live 2007-8 with the Original Cast Soundtrack on Sony.

1990s

In 1990, Johnson was hired by CEO Robert Earl to be the music director for the new Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida. Johnson coordinated and played guitar on the opening night with his All-Star Band that featured Greg Allman, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Chuck Berry, and Spencer Davis. In October of that year, Johnson coordinated another event at Hard Rock Cafe. Johnson was the music director and played guitar with his All-Star band that featured Connie Mack, Little Milton and Eddie Floyd. The event featured ZZ Top, whom Johnson performed with. This was the first time a non-band member had played with ZZ Top. Johnson coordinated this event to be filmed by the Japanese Satellite Broadcast Full Moon Show 1990 for the Japanese Satellite Broadcast Arts Network. Directed by Marty Pitts and produced by Tamera Wells, the show was hosted by Robbie Robertson and featured Joe Cocker, Eddie Floyd, Little Milton, and Willie Dixon. Robert Johnson performed and is credited as guitarist and music director for the event. Both of these events were recorded and filmed. Johnson worked for the Hard Rock Cafe until 1997.

In February 1992, Johnson was music director and guitarist for the Florida music award show, The Jammys, as well as for the Orlando Guitar Show at the Orlando Hard Rock Cafe. Members of Johnson's All Star Band included Billy Gibbons from ZZ-Top, Brian Johnson and Clift Williams from AC-DC, Jimi Jamison from Survivor, and Duck Dunn. in March 1992, Johnson was music director and guitarist for the Memphis Horns 25th Anniversary Show in Memphis, TN. The show featured Michael McDonald, Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Rufus Thomas, Marshall Tucker, and Johnny Rivers. This event was filmed and recorded.

In August of 1993, Johnson was the music director and guitarist for The House of Blues Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The event featured Eric Burdon, Robbie Krieger, Little Milton, Bobby Whitlock from Derek and the Dominos, and Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon from Stevie Ray Vaughan's band Double Trouble. The event was recorded and repeated in 1994. Johnson was involved in multiple projects at The House of Blues in New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Myrtle Beach until 1997. In 1998, Johnson worked with David Simmons to develop the live venue and Music Museum Bluesville at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. The venue still exists today.

2000s

In 2000, Johnson worked directly with Charles McGovern of the Smithsonian as a music historian and a memorabilia expert to develop the Smithsonian Rock & Soul Museum in Memphis, TN. This museum was the first Smithsonian museum outside of Washington. D.C. Jonnson was also the musical director for the opening night. Between 2003 and 2010, Johnson acted as a session guitarist and producer working with Jimi Jamison, singer for Survivor, Willie Mitchell, Freddie Scott, Don Covav, Little Milton, Mick Taylor, Ardent Studio, Memphis Studio, Young Avenue Sound Memphis, 19 Nashville, Sanctum Sound Studio Boston, and Interscope Studios, L.A.

In 2003, Johnson co-produced, with Jon Tiven, Vanthology, a tribute to Van Morrison featuring R&B singers Eddie Floyd, Otis Clay, William Bell, Frederick Knight, Bettye LaVette, and  Little Milton. Between 2005 and 2009, Johnson played guitar for Jerry lee Lewis on several occasions including Memphis in May and The Blues Ball.

2010s

In 2010, Johnson worked as music director and guitarist for a VH1: Save the Music event at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Johnson's All-Star Band included Peter Tork from The Monkees, Barry Goudreau (guitarist), Sib Hashian (drummer), members of the band Boston and guitarist Johnny A. from The Yardbirds. This event was recorded for TV.

In 2011. Johnson performed as guitarist with Peter Tork from The Monkees at a NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) event in Anaheim, California. From 2012 to 2016, Johnson also worked with Ed Goudreau, Director And Vice President of Interscope Studios and Civil Defense Studios. Johnson worked as a studio guitarist and producer developing local talent in the Los Angeles area.

Between 2013 and 2014, Johnson, along with friend Alan Aldridge (Father of Rock & Roll Art and Beatles Artist), started work on an Alan Aldridge Beatles Illustrated Collective Set featuring an 18-month calendar with Aldridge's Beatles artwork from his Beatles Illustrated book. The  collective set also features a five-track EP of selected Sir Paul McCartney songs produced by Johnson. This unique project celebrated the 45th anniversary of Alan's Beatles Illustrated lyrics book, the 65 anniversary of the 45 record, and the Beatles' 50th anniversary. The EP featured "Living Colour,” "Sugar Hill Gang" and "Little Anthony." For the first time The Beatles calendar created by Johnson and Aldridge featured an everyday list of facts on the history of The Beatles. Johnson is credited as producer, mix engineer, and guitarist.

In 2016, Johnson worked with Grammy-winning engineer David Leonard and Mick Taylor at House of Blues Studio in Nashville, TN on Johnson's new solo record "I'm Alive". In the following year, Johnson worked on recording and finalizing his new solo record with engineer David Watts at Chairworks Studio in Castleford, England. In 2018, Johnson commenced work with James Carke at Abbey Road Studios in London on the Stan Getz documentary project for the estate of Stan Getz. In the same year, he signed a new record deal with Burger Records in California in preparation for the 40th anniversary of his Power Pop debut album Close Personal Friend. Johnson worked at Abbey Road Studios with Tom Hall and James Clarke with tape restoration and mastering of Close Personal Friend. This re-issue was released on Black Fridav. November 2018 on vinyl, cassette, and CD. By Christmas of 2018, Johnson had sold over 1,000 cassettes.

In February 2019, Johnson signed a deal with Ace Records in London to use his song "Kerri" off his 1978 Close Personal Friend album. This project was for a Power Pop compilation to be released summer of 2019, titled Come On Let's Go. The collection also features Todd Runderen, The Ramones, The Romantics, Flaming Groovies, Big Star and Dwight Twilley.

Johnson and his band, The Memphis Mafia, performed at Burger Records' Burgermania on March 16th, 2019, to a capacity crowd at Hotel Vegas at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. Johnson's band consisted of Chad Cromwell on drums (Neil Young and Mark Knofler), Kinley Wolfe on bass (The Cult) and Jimmy Davis on vocals and rhythm guitar. Johnson and The Memphis Mafia recorded tracks for Burger Records with Grammy engineer David Perciful at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas. In May 2019, Johnson was back at Abbey Road Studios with Ed Courage mastering Johnson's new album I'm Alive. The project was released in late 2019 on Burger Records. At that time, Johnson was also working on a 40th anniversary track with Sugar Hill Gang on the first rap song, "Rappers Delight".