Robert A. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Robert A. Johnson is a rock
and blues
guitarist based in Memphis, Tennessee
who is best known for his work in the 1970s. He is usually known professionally as "Robert Johnson." He is no relation to the 1930s era blues guitarist Robert Johnson.
Early in his career Johnson played in bands with Jack Holder and Greg Reding, who later became members of Black Oak Arkansas
. Johnson's work became well respected by other musicians and at the age of 23 he was auditioned by The Rolling Stones
as a possible replacement for Mick Taylor
. He also played with jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald
. Between 1974 to 1977 he went on tour as the lead guitarist for John Entwistle
's band, known as "John Entwistle's Ox."
With his backing band the Bell Heirs, featuring Dave Cochran on bass and Blair Cunningham, he cut an album entitled Close Personal Friend for Infinity Records
in 1978. The album reached #174 on the Billboard 200
. He released a set of demos the following year. In 2008 Close Personal Friend was released on CD with bonus tracks.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
guitarist based in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
who is best known for his work in the 1970s. He is usually known professionally as "Robert Johnson." He is no relation to the 1930s era blues guitarist Robert Johnson.
Early in his career Johnson played in bands with Jack Holder and Greg Reding, who later became members of Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas is an American Southern rock band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas. The band reached the height of its fame in the 1970s with ten charting albums released in that decade...
. Johnson's work became well respected by other musicians and at the age of 23 he was auditioned by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
as a possible replacement for Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
. He also played with jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
. Between 1974 to 1977 he went on tour as the lead guitarist for John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
's band, known as "John Entwistle's Ox."
With his backing band the Bell Heirs, featuring Dave Cochran on bass and Blair Cunningham, he cut an album entitled Close Personal Friend for Infinity Records
Infinity Records
Infinity Records was a short-lived subsidiary of MCA Records established in New York City in 1977. The label was conceived by MCA president Sidney Sheinberg as a way for the Los Angeles-based entertainment conglomerate to improve its presence on the East Coast...
in 1978. The album reached #174 on 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...
. He released a set of demos the following year. In 2008 Close Personal Friend was released on CD with bonus tracks.
Discography
- Close Personal Friend (Infinity RecordsInfinity RecordsInfinity Records was a short-lived subsidiary of MCA Records established in New York City in 1977. The label was conceived by MCA president Sidney Sheinberg as a way for the Los Angeles-based entertainment conglomerate to improve its presence on the East Coast...
/Ensign RecordsEnsign RecordsEnsign Records was started in 1976 by Nigel Grainge, as an independent Phonogram subsidiary.-History:Grainge had been the head of A&R at Phonogram in London for the previous two years and directly signed Thin Lizzy, 10cc, The Steve Miller Band, and a worldwide license for the successful All...
, 1978) - Memphis Demos (Ensign RecordsEnsign RecordsEnsign Records was started in 1976 by Nigel Grainge, as an independent Phonogram subsidiary.-History:Grainge had been the head of A&R at Phonogram in London for the previous two years and directly signed Thin Lizzy, 10cc, The Steve Miller Band, and a worldwide license for the successful All...
, 1980)