Jellybean Johnson — the Minneapolis drummer, guitarist, and producer whose work with Prince and the groundbreaking funk-rock group The Time helped outline a whole musical period — has died at 69. His household confirmed his passing on Nov. 21, although no reason for loss of life has been launched. TMZ first reported the information.
Born Garry George Johnson, the self-taught musician was recruited by Prince in 1981 to affix The Time, which emerged from town’s influential Flyte Tyme collective. Johnson and Prince had identified each other since their teenage years, lengthy earlier than their careers turned intertwined.
Talking to Australian Musician in 2018, Johnson mirrored on his twin mastery of drums and guitar, saying, “The drums are bodily and violent for me whereas the guitar is non secular and emotional.” He added with trademark humor, “If you stay right here within the chilly, you keep within the wintertime and also you learn to play.”
Johnson performed a pivotal position in crafting what turned often called the Minneapolis Sound — a pointy mix of funk, rock, synth-pop and new wave. Past his work with The Time, he later joined Prince’s band The Household and appeared each in character and as himself within the movies “Purple Rain” (1984) and “Graffiti Bridge” (1990). The Time went on to land a number of Prime 10 hits on the R&B charts, together with “777-9311,” “Jungle Love,” and the chart-topping “Jerk-Out.”
His artistic attain prolonged far past his personal bands. Johnson constructed a profitable profession as a producer and session participant, contributing to Janet Jackson’s 1990 No. 1 hit “Black Cat,” amongst many different credit.
Tributes poured in throughout social media after information of his loss of life. Sheila E., an in depth buddy and longtime collaborator, shared her grief in a Fb submit, writing, “My pricey buddy Jellybean handed away a few hours in the past… He was a form human being, extraordinarily proficient and humorous.”
Addressing him immediately, she added, “I like u bean. Relaxation in peace and energy.”
Susannah Melvoin of The Household additionally mirrored on Johnson’s affect, saying, “My stunning brother Jellybean Johnson has handed… Jellybean was the grasp of loving you want no brother may!”
Johnson continued performing into latest years, together with Grammy tributes to Prince in 2017 and 2020. In 2021, he co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum to protect the musical legacy he helped create. A 12 months later, he and The Time acquired a Soul Prepare Lifetime Achievement Award — a becoming honor for one of many architects of an unmistakable American sound.
