Johnson, Johnnie Clyde

▪ 2006

      American rock-and-roll pianist (b. July 8, 1924, Fairmont, W.Va.—d. April 13, 2005, St. Louis, Mo.), recorded, with Chuck Berry, some of the seminal songs of the early years of rock and roll, including “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man.” Johnson hired Berry in 1952 to play with his group, the Sir John Trio. Berry soon became frontman for the group, but Johnson played a key role in the growth of rock and roll and inspired one of Berry's best-known hits, “Johnny B. Goode.” Later Johnson played with Little Richard, Albert King, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

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