Big Jack Johnson(1940-2011)
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Mississippi Delta blues singer/guitarist Big Jack Johnson was born in
1940 in Lambert, MS. His father had his own musical group, and Jack
taught himself to play guitar so he could play with them, which he did
at age 13. In 1962 he formed a trio called called Frank Frost and The
Nighthawks, and they soon recorded an album for International Records,
a label owned by the legendary
Sam Phillips. They recorded
another album for Jewel Records, while continuing to play clubs and
juke joints in the Mississippi Delta. The group eventually broke up,
but in 1978 the president of Earwig Records persuaded them to re-form
and they cut an album for Earwig, "Rockin' the Juke Joint Down". The
album was a critical and financial success, and the group--now calling
themselves The Jelly Roll Kings--began touring, notably in Europe.
In 1987 Johnson recorded a solo album, "The Oil Man", followed two years later by "Daddy, When is Mommy Comin' Home?". The group performed at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1987 and 1991.
Johnson died in Memphis, TN, in 2011.
In 1987 Johnson recorded a solo album, "The Oil Man", followed two years later by "Daddy, When is Mommy Comin' Home?". The group performed at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1987 and 1991.
Johnson died in Memphis, TN, in 2011.