Drumming News :
Garry “Jellybean” Johnson, the legendary drummer of The Time and key figure in the Minneapolis Sound, has passed away at the age of 69. Johnson, who celebrated his 69th birthday on November 19, died on November 21. The news was confirmed by the Minneapolis Sound Museum, an organization he founded to preserve the music and legacy of the Minneapolis Sound, a genre that blends funk, R&B, new wave, synth-pop, and dance music.
“Jellybean was more than a musical icon — he was a devoted grandfather, father, friend and family member whose warmth and spirit touched everyone he met,” the Museum’s board said in a tribute on Facebook. “The world is quieter without his guitar, and the drumbeat he set in motion within our hearts has fallen still.”
The cause of death has not been disclosed, but Johnson’s family expressed their sorrow in a statement shared with Fox 9. “Jellybean was an innovator of what became known across the world as the Minneapolis Sound,” they said. “He loved his family, his friends, and the city of Minneapolis.”
A Pioneer of the Minneapolis Sound
Born in Chicago, Johnson moved to Minneapolis at the age of 12, where he met Morris Day, with whom he would form the foundation of The Time. After self-teaching drums and guitar, Johnson joined forces with Prince in the early ’80s to form The Time. The band’s self-titled debut album, released in 1981, marked the beginning of their iconic partnership, with Prince contributing all of the instruments.
The Time went on to release multiple successful albums throughout the ’80s, including hits like “Jungle Love,” “Cool,” “Get It Up,” and “777-9311.” Johnson played an integral role in their sound, particularly with his dynamic drumming.
Johnson’s association with Prince was cemented in the 1984 film Purple Rain, where The Time played a rival band to Prince and The Revolution. Beyond his work with The Time, Johnson wrote and produced for artists like Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson (scoring a No. 1 hit with “Black Cat”), and New Edition.
Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
Following Johnson’s death, many of his musical peers paid tribute. Morris Day, his bandmate in The Time, remembered Johnson as “more like a brother.” Day shared, “Bean was a consummate musician. All he ever wanted to do was play and talk music. I’m certain he’s up in heaven now with Prince, assembling an all-star lineup of some of the baddest musicians to ever do it.”
Sheila E., who also worked with Prince and The Time, mourned Johnson on Instagram, writing, “We love you my beautiful brother. Thank you for ALL you have given us.”
Susannah Melvoin, a former member of Prince’s band The Family, also paid tribute, calling him “my big brother” and “a seasoned musical savant.” She expressed her heartbreak in an emotional Instagram post: “Jellybean was the master of loving you like no brother could!”
A Legacy That Will Live On
Garry “Jellybean” Johnson’s contributions to music and his enduring influence on the Minneapolis Sound will never be forgotten. As the Minneapolis Sound Museum said, “Jellybean’s light will forever shine in the music, the community and the legacy he leaves behind.”
Johnson’s passion for music and his dedication to family have left an indelible mark on the music world, and his spirit will continue to resonate through the beats and melodies that defined his career.
