Artist Snapshot
Schooled in gospel, doo-wop and blues, Johnson grew up in St. Louis and as a teenager sang with the Superiors before forming his first notable band, the Arabians, with guitarist Herbert Reeves. Johnson continued to work in St. Louis for some 40 years, notably as a featured singer with Bennie Smith, Soul Reunion and Broadway Rhythm, among others. In his book That St. Louis Thing, Vol. 2, writer Bruce Olson recalled that at age of 67, Johnson's voice remained "creamy…well spoken and clear as a bell."