A year ago today Johnny passed away, largely forgotten I’m afraid to say by many. My memories of Johnny are some of my favorites. In Memphis, I shot an interview at the Gibson ES factory location; same place I shot Scotty Moore and Travis Wammack interviews. Johnny was larger than life. Amazing colorful stories of guitar throw-downs with Jimi Hendrix at the New Era club; a Nashville R&B dive that Ft. Campbell-based Hendrix came down to play at during his days there as a paratrooper. Johnny was top dog then and Jimi was unknown; the new kid. Only Johnny can tell the story; watch…
About a year later, I was producing some holiday-themed videos for Gibson and got in touch with Johnny to see if he wanted to be involved. He was really enthusiastic and grateful to do it. He came in and nailed “Jingle Bells” in his own inimitable way.
A signature performance from one of the South’s great R&B journeymen guitarists. After the video was edited Johnny called me and was off the hook about how much he loved it! I’ll never forget that call.
