Johnny S. Black was born on September 30, 1891, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the only child of John L. and Jeanie V. Black. His father, an inventor and former vaudeville performer, had a significant influence on him. Johnny began performing on the vaudeville stage with his father, showcasing his talent with various musical instruments.

Johnny Black became a prominent figure in the Broadway and vaudeville scenes as a violinist, singer, master of ceremonies, and songwriter. He is best remembered for his songs "Dardanella" and "Paper Doll." "Dardanella," a fox trot, became a major hit in 1919, although Johnny initially sold his interest in the song for a mere twenty-five dollars. The song ultimately earned over twelve million dollars, but Johnny only received a fraction after legal battles. "Paper Doll," written in 1915, gained popularity posthumously, leading to a royalties dispute among his family members.

Following the success of "Dardanella," Johnny toured as a band leader and master of ceremonies, performing with groups like The Three Chums and later forming the Dardanella Boys. However, his career declined due to his extravagant lifestyle and alcohol issues. Despite these challenges, Johnny continued to perform and even worked as a studio director at a Chicago radio station in the 1920s.

In the early 1930s, Johnny performed locally in Hamilton, Ohio, and opened the Club Dardanella in 1935. Tragically, Johnny Black passed away on June 9, 1936, in Hamilton, Ohio, from injuries sustained in a fall after an altercation with a customer.

Separately, Johnny Black is also known as a contemporary music producer and songwriter from New York City. He was originally signed as an artist to Sire Records and later transitioned to production and songwriting, earning multiple Grammy nominations. Johnny has worked with artists like Jessie J, Estelle, and Mimi Webb, and founded the Nashville-based label BLK MAGIK. His work spans various genres and has been featured in numerous TV shows, films, and ad campaigns.