Johnny Ross

Johnny Ross (May 28, 1942 – February 9, 2006)[1] was an American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters, who died in 2006 as a result of appendicitis.[2] He also hosted his own cable television show.

Johnny Ross
Birth nameJohn W. Ross Jr
BornMay 28, 1942
Miller, Indiana, United States
DiedFebruary 9, 2006(2006-02-09) (aged 63)
Hobart, Indiana, United States
GenresSoul, R&B, blues
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years activec.1960 – 2006
Associated actsBaby Huey & the Babysitters, Melvyn "Deacon" Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosion

Biography

John W. Ross Jr was born in Miller, Indiana, United States.[1] Along with Melvyn "Deacon" Jones and James Ramey aka Baby Huey, Ross was a founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters.[3] He stayed with the Babysitters for nearly a decade and during that time he wrote two of their songs, "Monkey Man" and "Just Being Careful".[4] "Monkey Man" appears on numerous 1960s various artists compilations including Pittsburghs Greatest Hits,[5] Teenage Shutdown: Jump, Jive and Harmonize,[6] Mad Mike's Monstors Vol 3[7]

After he left the Babysitters he went solo and recorded some soul singles including, "I Can't Help Myself", which appeared on a Northern soul dance compilation.[8]

In later years

From the early 1990s until the time of his death Ross and his wife managed Ross Music and Video Productions.[9] He scored music for television shows and commercials for brands such as Sears and Mattel toys.[3]

He had a cable television show Creating Music that ran for ten years.[9] Among the guests were Mo' Beat Blues,[10] members of Michael Jackson's extended family, Gary Mayor Scott King who played bass, and members of The Spaniels.[11]

From the early 2000s he composed movie soundtracks including two for Fred "The Hammer" Williamson.[12] They were Down 'n Dirty and On The Edge.[2]

Ross also managed security for many municipal events and personally handled security for Coretta Scott King, the widow of Dr Martin Luther King.[9]

He died on February 9, 2006, as a result of heart failure after appendicitis, at the age of 63.[2]

Television
  • The Johnny Ross Show, Creating Music – (c) 1994 – 2006 (Cable)[11]

Soundtrack

Discography

Singles
  • Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions – "I Can't Help Myself" / "Sore Loser" – Chirrup 1523
  • Electric City Featuring Johnny Ross – "Gemini" / "We're Gonna Make It" – 20th Century Fox TC-2360 (1977)[14]

Compilation albums
  • Northern Soul Story 4 – Soul Supply Records LPSD 121 – 1987 – Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions – I Can't Help Myself (2 LP)[15]
  • Northern Soul Dance Party Goldmine GSCD46 – Johnny Ross & the Soul Explosion – "I Can't Help Myself"[16]
  • Down 'n Dirty (Soundtrack) – Select-O-Hits – 2000

References
  1. "John W. Ross Jr. Obituary: View John Ross's Obituary by Post Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  2. Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2006 January To June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  3. "Johnny Ross a region music resource | Uncategorized". Nwitimes.com. July 14, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  4. Chris Bishop (June 2, 2005). "Baby Huey and the Baby Sitters". Garage Hangover. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. Marmotta Rammler (February 26, 2004). "Marmotta Rammler: Mad Mike Monsters Vol. 3". Marmottarammler.blogspot.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  8. "Northern Soul Dance Party by Various Artists (Compilation, Northern Soul): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list". Rate Your Music. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  9. "Johnny Ross, Jr. was a musician and mentor to fledgling artists | Obituaries". Nwitimes.com. February 14, 2006. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Media help expose local musicians | Uncategorized". Nwitimes.com. August 17, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Full cast and crew for Down 'n Dirty". IMDb. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  14. "Electric City (3) Featuring Johnny Ross (2) – Gemini / We're Gonna Make It (Vinyl)". discogs. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  15. "Various – The Northern Soul Story 4 (Vinyl, LP)". discogs. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  16. "Northern Soul Dance Party". Archived from the original on November 28, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
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