Larry Johnson (musician)

Larry Johnson
Birth name Larry Alonzo Johnson
Born May 15, 1938
Wrightsville, Georgia, United States
Died August 6, 2016(2016-08-06) (aged 78)
Harlem, New York, United States
Genres Blues
Occupation(s) Singer, guitarist
Instruments Guitar, human voice
Years active Early 1950s–2016
Labels Blue Goose Records

Larry Alonzo Johnson[1] (May 15, 1938 – August 6, 2016) was an American blues singer and guitarist.[2]

Life and career

Johnson was born in Wrightsville, Georgia.[1] His father was a preacher who traveled extensively. This led to Johnson being exposed to blues records by Blind Boy Fuller, who inspired Johnson to learn the rudiments of guitar playing. He served in the Navy between 1955 and 1959, before relocating to New York City. After his befriending Brownie and Stick McGhee, Johnson found employment recording with Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward. The latter gave Johnson an introduction to Reverend Gary Davis.[2]

Johnson's first single release was "Catfish Blues" / "So Sweet" (1962), plus he made numerous live appearances with Davis over that decade. In 1971 Johnson released Fast and Funky, but his live playing gradually reduced. A couple of low key albums appeared in the 1980s, before Johnson received more regular live work in the 1990s, particularly in Europe. Whilst there his output included Railroad Man (1990) and Blues for Harlem (1999). Two Gun Green followed in 2002.[2]

Johnson died on August 6, 2016, aged 78, in a nursing home in Harlem, New York.[3]

Discography

Albums

  • Larry Johnson (1962)
  • Presenting the Country Blues (1970)
  • Fast And Funky (1971)
  • Blues from the Apple (1974)
  • Larry Johnson (1974) Biograph BLP-12028
  • Johnson! Where Did You Get That Sound (1983)
  • Basin Free (1984)
  • Railroad Man (1990)
  • Blues for Harlem (1999)
  • Two Gun Green (2002)
  • The Gentle Side of Larry Johnson (2004)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 105. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. 1 2 3 Meyer, Richard. "Larry Johnson: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  3. ↑ Stefan Wirz. "Illustrated Larry Johnson discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 10 October 2017.


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