Jon Gibson

Jon Robert Gibson (born January 3, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumental musician and record producer.

Gibson was born in San Francisco on January 3, 1962.

Before returning to the Bay Area as a teenager, he grew up in San Jose, California.

After several encounters with the law (including being stabbed), and time spent in juvenile hall, Gibson joined the United States Army at the age of 18.

He was given an honorable medical discharge eleven months later, due to an allergic reaction from military vaccines, after serving in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.

Wonder played harmonica on a remake of his own song, "Have a Talk with God", from Songs in the Key of Life (1976).

Originally a blue-eyed soul singer, he switched from secular music to contemporary Christian music in the late-1980s.

Gibson ranked No. 59 out of all Christian artists in the 1980s.

Upon returning home to pursue a music career, and with a natural ability to write songs, Gibson performed in California nightclubs with his band in the early 1980s.

After finding his father had become a Christian, Gibson accepted Christ in his father's car following a church service, and then was baptized by his father in their bathtub.

Prior to his professional career, Gibson played drums and provided backing vocals for the San Francisco heavy metal band Winterhawk.

Their second album, Dog Soldier (1980), included Gibson and was released via Mother Earth Records (a remastered version was reissued via Don Giovanni Records in 2021).

In 1982, at the age of 20, Gibson signed with Dick Griffey's Constellation Records (SOLAR) as a rhythm and blues artist.

His debut came as a guest vocalist and songwriter on several songs for Bill Wolfer (the keyboardist for the Jacksons), on his Wolf album, via the Constellation label.

The album included Michael Jackson singing background vocals on the Gibson/Wolfer collaboration "So Shy".

Griffey circulated Gibson's demo tape, with people believing they were listening to Stevie Wonder, who Gibson sang "Ebony and Ivory" with while on tour in 1983.

Gibson released his debut album, Standing on the One (1983), originally via Constellation (now owned by Unidisc Music).

He also produced the single, "She Told Me So" (1983) via Elektra Records, with a music video that premiered on MTV.

However, Gibson was torn between his desire for pop stardom and his need to give testimony to his faith.

Therefore, he entered the Christian music industry when he signed with Frontline Records after 1985.

Gibson's second album featured his first rap solo, "Ain't It Pretty" (1985), from On the Run (1986).

The album was co-produced by Felton Pilate of Con Funk Shun.

On the Run was well received, and rendered his first No. 1 single in contemporary Christian music (CCM) to impact Christian radio.

"God Loves a Broken Heart" became one of over twenty Top 10 CCM hits for Gibson.

He would also experience success with the No. 1 single "Friend in You", a ballad which is one of CCM's classic hit songs, from his next album.

Gibson wrote and produced "The Wall" as well, the first rap hit in CCM history by a blue-eyed soul singer and/or duo, featuring M.C. Hammer (a song that Stanley Kirk Burrell – or K.B. – originally identified himself as M.C. Hammer and Gibson as J.G.).

Burrell and Tramaine Hawkins previously performed in concerts with Gibson's band at various venues, such as the Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills (a live performance of "B-Boy Chill" is on YouTube).

Gibson was in a gospel rap group with Hammer known as the Holy Ghost Boy(s), with songs later produced and released on their respective albums.

Hammer released a song called "Son of the King" on his debut album, Feel My Power (1986).

Gibson released "The Wall" on his third album, Change of Heart (1988).

The album included Gibson's cover version of "Yah Mo B There" (co-written by Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones), a song originally performed by James Ingram and Michael McDonald.

Gibson collaborated with Stevie Wonder on his fourth album, Body & Soul (1989).

The album peaked at No. 23 on July 29, 1989 (charting for 25 weeks) Wonder's soundtrack album, Jungle Fever (1991), had Gibson singing backup on the track "I Go Sailing" (as well as touring together).

Gibson's fifth album, Jesus Loves Ya (1990), featured multiple musicians including Rob Watson and Doug Webb.

It produced two hit singles: the title track and "Love Come Down".

Gibson scored a number of hit singles, including "Jesus Loves Ya" (which spent a then-record 11 weeks at No. 1 on the CCM charts in 1991), "Love Come Down" (1990), "Friend in You" (1988) and "God Loves a Broken Heart" (1986).

His album Jesus Loves Ya was ranked No. 90 on CCM Magazine's The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, while the title track charted at No. 52 on the Top 100 Christian AC in 1991.

According to Frontline Records and Gibson's website, he has at least 22 chart-topping CCM hits with 9 No. 1 songs.

Gibson has recorded with Bill Wolfer (the keyboardist for the Jacksons), Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, M.C. Hammer, MC Peace, Crystal Lewis, Soup the Chemist, Avery Stafford, John P. Kee, Scott Blackwell and others.

He has also performed with Carman and for Prince, collaborating with Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, Maroon 5 and Matthew McConaughey.