Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson, byname of Alonzo Johnson, was born on February 8, 1889?, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died on June 16, 1970, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was a pioneering American musician, singer, and songwriter, recognized as one of the first major blues and jazz guitarists. Johnson grew up in a large family of musicians and played violin in his father’s string band, as well as guitar in New Orleans in the early 20th century. In 1917, he traveled with a musical revue to London, returning two years later.
Johnson performed with the Mississippi riverboat bands of Fate Marable and Charlie Creath between 1920 and 1922 and participated in vaudeville tours before embarking on a recording career that spanned approximately 40 years and produced about 500 recordings. He was known for his single-string guitar solos, contributing significantly to recordings by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five, Duke Ellington, The Chocolate Dandies, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, and King Oliver. He also recorded notable guitar solos and duets with Eddie Lang.
Despite his urban style, Johnson's blues influenced rural artists, including Robert Johnson. He was a talented lyricist, with songs ranging from serious to humorous, such as “Blue Ghost Blues” and “He’s a Jelly Roll Baker.” Over time, he incorporated sentimental ballads into his repertoire, achieving a million-selling hit with “Tomorrow Night” in 1948. Lonnie Johnson was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1990.
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