The music world is mourning the loss of Jellybean Johnson, the legendary drummer celebrated for co-founding Prince's iconic band, The Time. Johnson passed away on Friday, just two days after celebrating his 69th birthday.
A Final Farewell and a Lasting Legacy
On his birthday, Johnson posted a poignant message on Facebook, reflecting on a life dedicated to music. His words now read as a touching final goodbye to his fans and community. 'I've been blessed to live a life shaped by music, community, and the love of people who believed in me long before the world knew my name,' he wrote. He fondly recalled his beginnings at 'The Way,' a community centre in North Minneapolis, where he and other young musicians discovered their sound and destiny.
Architect of the Minneapolis Sound
Johnson was a trailblazer of the Minneapolis Sound, the funky, rock-tinged soul movement that dominated the 1970s and ‘80s. Born in Chicago in 1956, he moved to North Minneapolis at the age of 13, where he taught himself music by listening to the radio and practising with a pair of drumsticks.
His raw talent quickly connected him with future legends, including Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and a young Prince. These early jam sessions eventually led to the formation of The Time, a band that became a cornerstone of the era's musical landscape.
As the drummer for The Time, Johnson was renowned not only for his technical prowess but for the explosive energy he brought to the stage. His influence extended beyond performing when he later worked as a producer at Flyte Tyme Records. Even in recent years, he remained an active and passionate guitarist.
Tributes Pour In for a Musical Brother
Vocalist Susannah Melvoin led the tributes, honouring Johnson on Instagram as her 'brother'. She celebrated him as a prolific guitarist, poignantly noting that 'oxygen for him was the inhale and exhale of playing his guitar.'
Johnson's enduring passion was the establishment of a Minneapolis Sound Museum. He worked tirelessly on the project, driven by a desire to protect the movement's history and inspire future generations. In his final post, he expressed this deep commitment: 'I want our story protected, I want our community honored, I want the next generation to have what we had: access, opportunity, and a place to belong.'
