Johnny Edwards (musician)
Encyclopedia
Johnny Edwards is a singer who sang for the bands Buster Brown
, Montrose
, King Kobra
, Wild Horses
, Royal Jelly and is most famously known as the 2nd lead vocalist of the rock band Foreigner
. Edwards left Wild Horses before they recorded their first album Bareback
to join Foreigner.
As commonly reported in many interviews, Mick Jones
, the founding member, lead guitarist, and main songwriter of Foreigner was at home recovering from having the flu. Mick was in the process of listening to audition tapes of various singers to replace the newly-departed Lou Gramm
when he came upon a cassette of Johnny Edwards. Upon hearing the demo tape, Mick immediately jumped out of bed and shouted out, "This is it!", referring to Edwards' voice as the perfect replacement for Lou. Released on June 17, 1991, Foreigner's new album, Unusual Heat
had 11 songs in total, and 10 of these were the combination of mainstay Mick, Johnny and co-producer, Terry Thomas, who had previously worked with Bad Company
's lead vocalist, Brian Howe
, on their last 3 albums as producer and songwriter.
In addition to providing lead vocals, Edwards was also an accomplished guitarist who not only added rhythm guitar but also played the lead guitar in the song "Mountain Of Love", the 5th track on the Unusual Heat album. The Billboard 200
documented Unusual Heat at #117 on August 3, 1991. The album's first single, "Lowdown and Dirty" was included on the band's Rhino double-CD retrospective Juke Box Heroes. Although Edwards received some critical acclaim for his live performances and vocal style, Unusual Heat was a commercial failure, and Lou Gramm returned the following year, effectively ending Edwards' tenure as frontman.
Edwards is also an activist for peace and racial equality. His parents, Jean and George Edwards (a retired professor of theology and Presbyterian minister) of Louisville, Kentucky, are pacifists and civil rights activists who influenced Johnny to have as much contact with African-Americans as possible.
Johnny Edwards is now living a comfortable life in Louisville with his wife of 25 years raising his two children.
Buster Brown (band)
Buster Brown were a glam metal band from Louisville, Kentucky. Members included lead vocalist Johnny Edwards, guitarist Allan Phelps, and bassist Kevin Downs....
, Montrose
Montrose (band)
Montrose was a California-based hard rock band. The band originally featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar and future solo artist and former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar...
, King Kobra
King Kobra
King Kobra is a glam metal group founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne in 1984. The band during the time of their first two albums included four relatively unknown musicians: vocalist Mark Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist...
, Wild Horses
Wild Horses (American rock band)
Wild Horses was a band that originally featured former Buster Brown and Montrose members Johnny Edwards and James Kottak. The band also featured James Kottak's former Kingdom Come bandmate Rick Steier...
, Royal Jelly and is most famously known as the 2nd lead vocalist of the rock band Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
. Edwards left Wild Horses before they recorded their first album Bareback
Bareback (Wild Horses album)
Bareback is the first album by the American rock band Wild Horses.Shortly before the recording of this album, former Shout lead vocalist John Levesque replaced original Wild Horses lead vocalist Johnny Edwards, who left Wild Horses to replace Lou Gramm in the band Foreigner.Apparently, this band...
to join Foreigner.
As commonly reported in many interviews, Mick Jones
Mick Jones (Foreigner)
Michael Leslie "Mick" Jones is an English guitarist, songwriter, and record producer best known as the founding member of the rock band Foreigner.-Life and career:...
, the founding member, lead guitarist, and main songwriter of Foreigner was at home recovering from having the flu. Mick was in the process of listening to audition tapes of various singers to replace the newly-departed Lou Gramm
Lou Gramm
Lou Gramm is an American rock vocalist and songwriter best known for his role as the lead vocalist and co-writer of many of the songs for the rock band Foreigner. He also had a successful solo career...
when he came upon a cassette of Johnny Edwards. Upon hearing the demo tape, Mick immediately jumped out of bed and shouted out, "This is it!", referring to Edwards' voice as the perfect replacement for Lou. Released on June 17, 1991, Foreigner's new album, Unusual Heat
Unusual Heat
Unusual Heat is the seventh studio album by American rock band Foreigner, released in 1991. By now original frontman Lou Gramm had parted company with the band and had been replaced by original Wild Horses singer Johnny Edwards...
had 11 songs in total, and 10 of these were the combination of mainstay Mick, Johnny and co-producer, Terry Thomas, who had previously worked with Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
's lead vocalist, Brian Howe
Brian Howe
Brian Howe may refer to:*Brian Howe , Australian politician*Brian Howe , vocalist with the 80s and 90s versions of Bad Company*Brian Howe , American character actor best known for his major role in The Pursuit of Happyness...
, on their last 3 albums as producer and songwriter.
In addition to providing lead vocals, Edwards was also an accomplished guitarist who not only added rhythm guitar but also played the lead guitar in the song "Mountain Of Love", the 5th track on the Unusual Heat album. The Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
documented Unusual Heat at #117 on August 3, 1991. The album's first single, "Lowdown and Dirty" was included on the band's Rhino double-CD retrospective Juke Box Heroes. Although Edwards received some critical acclaim for his live performances and vocal style, Unusual Heat was a commercial failure, and Lou Gramm returned the following year, effectively ending Edwards' tenure as frontman.
Edwards is also an activist for peace and racial equality. His parents, Jean and George Edwards (a retired professor of theology and Presbyterian minister) of Louisville, Kentucky, are pacifists and civil rights activists who influenced Johnny to have as much contact with African-Americans as possible.
Johnny Edwards is now living a comfortable life in Louisville with his wife of 25 years raising his two children.
With Buster Brown
- Loud and ClearLoud and Clear (Buster Brown album)Loud and Clear is the first album of the glam metal band Buster Brown.After this album, drummer Bob Koestel was replaced by drummer James Kottak.-Track listing:# Loud And Clear# Under Control# Little Bit Of Love# Killing Time# Get It Up# Bad Dreams...
(1984) - Sign Of VictorySign of Victory (Buster Brown album)Sign Of Victory is the second album of the glam metal band Buster Brown. It is the only Buster Brown album to feature drummer James Kottak.After this album, singer Johnny Edwards and drummer James Kottak were recruited by guitarist Ronnie Montrose into his band Montrose...
(1985)