Johnnie Johnson Presentation and CD Release

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson CD Release Party and Behind the Music stories on the making of the new CD "I'm Just Johnnie" from producer Gene Ackmann.  Presentation will include background on Johnnie and his contribution to Rock & Roll and Blues and his amazing influence and contributions.  

The "I'm Just Johnnie double CD will be available to purchase for $20 each. 

20 years after his passing, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson, whose piano work graced so many of Chuck Berry’s classic recordings, will have a new album, I’m Just Johnnie, releasing August 29, on Missouri Morning Records, featuring special guests including Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Rivers and John Sebastian. The two-CD set also includes a second disc of interviews with Johnson and Radio Hall of Fame and SiriusXM DJ Pat St. John discussing Johnnie’s career in one of the last interviews before his passing on April 13, 2005. Bonnie Raitt is also on the second disc talking about Johnnie. Other musicians of note performing on I’m Just Johnnie include former Mama’s Pride band members Max Baker (guitar), Dickie Steltenpohl (bass), Paul Willett (Hammond B3 organ) and Pat Liston (backing vocals); plus Henry Lawrence, former Oakland Raiders All-Pro offensive tackle, who does lead vocals on two songs with Johnnie - “Lo Down” and “Stagger Lee;” and Charles Glenn, best-known as the St. Louis Hockey Blues anthem singer of 19 years, who sings lead vocals on two songs with Johnnie - “I Get Weary” and “Heebie Jeebies.” Finally, Kenny Rice (drums) and Gus Thornton (bass), long-time members of Johnnie’s band, also play on the album. Kenny and Gus were both in Albert King’s band along with Johnnie. Kenny also does the lead vocals on “Let the Good Times Roll.”

Among the many classic Chuck Berry rock ’n’ roll records Johnnie Johnson’s piano playing can be heard on include, “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man,” “School Days,” “Almost Grown,” “Back in the USA,” “Carol,” “Wee We Hours,” and “Too Much Monkey Business.” Johnson and Berry started playing together in late 1952. The two collaborated on many of Berry's songs, and the song “Johnny B. Goode" was reportedly a tribute to Johnson. Berry and Johnson played and toured together on and off, until 1973.