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Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson is a Minnesota legend who is best known as the drummer for The Time and Prince’s go-to man for many projects including The Family. As a songwriter/drummer/guitarist/producer Jellybean has worked with Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, New Edition, Alexander O’Neal, Mint Condition, the Human League, and of course Janet Jackson’s song Black Cat. The song was written by Jackson, who produced it with Jellybean Johnson. In a departure from her standard of industrial-based dance-pop, “Black Cat” is a hard rock song with arena rock influences. Jellybean also played guitar on the song for a number of mixes.
Jellybean is one of the most recognized drummers who created the “Minneapolis” drum sound that was globally so popular in the 80’s and 1990’s.
Jellybean has finally released his first, long awaited solo record recruiting many of his friends from his career including drummer Michael Bland (Prince, Soul Asylum) to bring his magic to the party.
Visit Jellybeans website to purchase your copy: HERE
You can check it out and buy a digital version: HERE
Points about Jellybean:
Jellybean Johnson is the the drummer of the Prince created band The Time. Jellybean is one of the architects of a unique blend of music that was created in Minnesota and called the Minneapolis Sound.
Jellybean’s resume includes drummer/guitarist/writer/engineer/producer for both local and national talent including creating a number one pop song for Janet Jackson, “Black Cat.” Billboard’s Critic’s Picks ranked “Black Cat” as Janet Jackson’s best song of all time in 2017.
In 1980 Prince united members of Flyte Tyme, of which Jellybean was a member, and Grand Central to form the band, The Time. Jellybean has been their drummer ever since. The Time toured with Prince and went on to be the rival band in the film “Purple Rain”.
Prince also formed a band called The Family using Jellybean as it’s drummer yet again.
Jellybean also wrote, produced and played on many songs by nationally known artists during his time at Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis including Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, New Edition, Alexander O’Neal, Mint Condition, and the Human League.
As a guitarist Jellybean has lent his playing to many songs and recordings and plays nationally in the Blues circuit.
Locally, in the Twin Cities, you will see Jellybean most nights of the week sitting in with local artists and in his own band, The Jellybean Johnson Experience. The Jellybean Johnson Experience also presents several shows each year promoting and performing with up and coming bands and artists.
The Jellybean Johnson Experience put out a single in 2018 called “Put Some Jelly On It’ and released another “Let Me Shine On” in 2019.
Jellybean is the recipient of twenty Gold and Platinum albums, Minnesota Music Awards, Minnesota Black Music Awards, and ASCAP Awards. In 2014 he was honored for his long-time work as a drummer with a special Local Legends Award.
Sources: Wikipedia Jellybeans Site
