Hubert Johnson (musician)

Hubert Johnson (January 14, 1941 – July 11, 1981)[1][2] was an American singer and performer. Johnson is best known for being one of the original members of the Motown R&B vocal group The Contours. Johnson was also the cousin of the late Jackie Wilson.[3][4]

Hubert Johnson
Born(1941-01-14)January 14, 1941
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJuly 11, 1981(1981-07-11) (aged 40)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresR&B
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1960–1964
LabelsMotown
Associated actsJoe Billingslea, The Contours

Career

In 1959, local Detroit musician Joe Billingslea formed a band called "The Blenders" with fellow musicians Billy Gordon and Billy Hoggs. The next year, at the recommendation of Johnson's cousin Jackie Wilson, Johnson joined the trio making it a quartet and, at the recommendation of Billingslea, the group changed their name to "The Contours".[5]

Shortly after the renaming, Berry Gordy signed the group on to his new recording company Motown. The group's first hit came with the release of the single "Do You Love Me" in 1962. The group also achieved success with the songs "Shake Sherry" and "That Day When She Needed Me" in 1963 and 1964.[6][7]

In 1964, within a matter of two weeks, Johnson along with Billingslea, Gordon, Hoggs and Contours newcomer Sylvester Potts decided to part from Motown.[8]

Death

Johnson began undergoing treatment for mental health in 1980. Johnson was battling from depression amongst other illnesses. On July 11, 1981, Johnson was found dead in his Detroit home. The official cause of death was ruled to be suicide by the ingesting of rat poison and a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head.[9][10]

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References
  1. "The Contours". www.soulfulkindamusic.net. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  2. "RIP Hubert Johnson". Motown Forever. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  3. "Died on This Date (July 11, 1981) Hubert Johnson / The Contours". themusicsover.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  4. Simmonds, Jeremy (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. p. 155. ISBN 1556527543. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  5. "classic motown: Contours". classic.motown.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  6. "The Contours Biography". www.thecontours.net. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  7. Talevski, Nick (April 7, 2010). Rock Obituaries - Knocking On Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 312. ISBN 0857121170. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  8. "the contours". www.soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  9. "Rock Music and Suicide". www.wayoflife.org. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  10. "Hubert Johnson, Original Contour, Commits Suicide". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. August 27, 1981.
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