Famous recording artist, Jimmy Johnson, died of stroke at his home in Harvey at the age of 93.
According to his wife, Sherry, the Chicago bluesmanwas a colon cancer survivor amidst his recording of songs he did for decades with Delmark Records.
“He was one of those great musicians whom you could identify by hearing just one note of his voice or one note of his guitar,” said Bruce Iglauer, founder of Alligator Records.
“His passionate, high-tenor voice and elegant, minor-key guitar string bending were instantly recognizable. He was not only a searing guitar player and intense, distinctive singer, but his music had the deep emotional impact of the best blues”, Bruce added.
Johnson’s blistering performances were matched by his wide-ranging musical knowledge and meticulous attention to detail onstage and in the recording studio.
More than 80,000 people watched the label’s live broadcast honoring Mr. Johnson on his 92nd birthday, said Elbio Barilari, Delmark’s artistic director and the producer of his last record, “Every Day of Your Life.”
Through out the coronavirus pandemic, Johnson did a Facebook livestream every Saturday from hs home, and had an audience from over 60 countries.
Musicians who mentored him included Reggie Boyd Sr., Jimmy Dawkins, Freddie King and Otis Rush. He also was a member of the Junior Wells band, according to Delmark.
In 2021, Mr. Johnson — who also played piano — was named “Blues Artist of the Year” in Living Blues Magazine’s critics poll.
He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, Tenn., in 2016.