The Johnnie
Johnson Blues & Jazz Society, Inc., of Fairmont, West
Virginia, is named in honor of hometown legend, Johnnie Johnson!
We
are dedicated to promoting blues and jazz music throughout the
region! |
Johnson to be inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
On November 16th, 2007 Dr. Johnnie Johnson "Father of Rock and Roll" will be inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame at 7:30pm in Charleston, WV. Johnson was born July 8th, 1924 in Fairmont, WV. While still in his teens he joined the United States Marine Corps as one of the first 1,500 African Americans ever in that branch of the service. He became a member of the company band "The Barracudas" while serving in the Marshall Islands during World War II. Eventually settling in St. Louis he founded "The Sir John's Trio." On New Year’s Eve 1952 he hired a young guitarist Chuck Berry and together they made music history, becoming founding fathers of rock and roll. Over the years Johnnie played with the best and brightest musicians in the world; among those, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir and Ratdog, the Kentucky Head Hunters, and many others... After being rediscovered in the late 1980s in the film Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll Johnnie went on to a very successful solo career being nominated for many awards including: the Grammy Award, being recognized as a National Treasure and Father of Rock and Roll by the United States Congress, receiving the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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