Ralph Johnson (musician)

Ralph Johnson (born July 4, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Johnson is a longstanding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire.[1][2]

Ralph Johnson
Johnson, left, performing with Earth Wind and Fire in 2007
Background information
Born (1951-07-04) July 4, 1951
Los Angeles, California
GenresR&B, funk, soul, jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, producer, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, drums, percussions, keyboards, drum machine
Years active1972–present
Associated actsEarth, Wind & Fire
WebsiteRalph Johnson on Myspace
External video
Oral History, Ralph Johnson shares how he met Maurice White and joined Earth, Wind and Fire. Interview date September 2, 2014, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library

Early music performances

Born and raised in Los Angeles, from an early age Johnson developed a fascination for all things jazz. At eight years old he went on to receive his first drumming lesson. He later went on to join local bands "The Teen Turbans" and "The Masters Children".[1][2]

Earth, Wind and Fire

During 1971 Johnson successfully auditioned as a drummer for another band. This one was led by a Chicago musician known as Maurice White and called Earth, Wind & Fire. With Johnson in tow the band went on to achieve monumental commercial and critical success. He later went on to be inducted as a member of Earth, Wind and Fire into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during 2000.[3][1]

Solo career

Johnson went on to perform as a percussionist on Blue Magic's 1978 album Message From The Magic and Stanley Turrentine's 1981 album Tender Togetherness.[4][5]

He has also worked as a producer on The Temptations 1984 album Truly For You and Howard Hewett's 2008 album Howard Hewett Christmas.[5]

References
  1. Schultz, Drew. "Earth, Wind & Fire's Ralph Johnson". moderndrummer.com. Modern Drummer.
  2. "Ralph Johnson". NAMM.org.
  3. "Earth, Wind & Fire". Rockhall.com.
  4. "Blue Magic: Message From The Music". 45worlds.com.
  5. "Ralph Johnson". allmusic.com. AllMusic.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.