Age, Biography and Wiki
Smokey Johnson (Joseph Johnson Jr.) was born on 14 November, 1936 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., is an American drummer, songwriter (1936–2015). Discover Smokey Johnson's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 78 years old?
| Popular As |
Joseph Johnson Jr. |
| Occupation |
Musician |
| Age |
78 years old |
| Zodiac Sign |
Scorpio |
| Born |
14 November, 1936 |
| Birthday |
14 November |
| Birthplace |
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Date of death |
6 October, 2015 |
| Died Place |
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Nationality |
United States
|
We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 14 November.
He is a member of famous drummer with the age 78 years old group.
Smokey Johnson Height, Weight & Measurements
At 78 years old, Smokey Johnson height not available right now. We will update Smokey Johnson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
| Physical Status |
| Height |
Not Available |
| Weight |
Not Available |
| Body Measurements |
Not Available |
| Eye Color |
Not Available |
| Hair Color |
Not Available |
Dating & Relationship status
He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.
| Family |
| Parents |
Not Available |
| Wife |
Not Available |
| Sibling |
Not Available |
| Children |
Not Available |
Smokey Johnson Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Smokey Johnson worth at the age of 78 years old? Smokey Johnson’s income source is mostly from being a successful drummer. He is from United States. We have estimated Smokey Johnson's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
| Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
| Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
| Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
| Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
| House |
Not Available |
| Cars |
Not Available |
| Source of Income |
drummer |
Smokey Johnson Social Network
| Instagram |
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| Linkedin |
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| Twitter |
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| Facebook |
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| Wikipedia |
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| Imdb |
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Timeline
Joseph "Smokey" Johnson Jr. (November 14, 1936 – October 6, 2015) was an American drummer.
He was one of the musicians, session players, and songwriters who served as the backbone for New Orleans' output of jazz, funk, blues, soul, and R&B music.
Born to Joseph Johnson Sr. and Rinda Williams, Johnson grew up in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, a community rich in jazz history.
He started on trombone at an early age and took lessons from Yvonne Busch, an influential music teacher who happened to be the Johnsons' neighbor.
He switched to drums at age twelve.
His first drum set was given to him by his grandfather.
He attended Craig School and Clark High School where Yvonne Busch taught.
He played in school bands.
At age seventeen he started to perform professionally at local clubs including Club Tijuana, and toured with professional musicians during summers.
After high school he joined James "Sugar Boy" Crawford’s band the Chapaka Shawee, also known as Cane Cutters.
He also performed with Roy Brown and Red Tyler.
In late 1950s and 1960s, Johnson performed with Imperial recording artists such as Fats Domino, Earl King and Snooks Eaglin.
He performed on Earl King's funk classic "Trick Bag" and on Professor Longhair's carnival classic "Big Chief".
In 1957 Johnson joined Dave Bartholomew's band and replaced drummer Earl Palmer who had moved to Los Angeles.
Johnson said he had learned a lot by watching Palmer play, and he noted the proficiency of New Orleans drummers in using the bass drum of a drum kit.
He said in Bartholomew's band he had freedom and was expected to be creative.
He was nicknamed "Smokey" after a bandmate joked about smoke coming out of his bass drum at a performance.
He became an in demand session musician after the release of his first recording with Bartholomew's band.
He was with the band from 1957 to around 1964 and performed on many recording sessions for Imperial Records.
In 1960s Johnson was an in demand session musician and served as the house drummer for Quezergue's Nola Records.
He released six double-sided singles as a leader.
The tracks were later re-issued in a compilation album titled It Ain't My Fault.
According to William Ruhlmann of AllMusic, the recordings define "a development from soul-jazz to funk" and are "a solid part of the history of New Orleans music."
In 1963 Johnson's work with the band was featured as a soloist on the track "Portrait of a Drummer" in the album New Orleans House Party.
In 1963 Johnson and several prominent New Orleans musicians, including Earl King and Wardell Quezergue, went to Detroit and recorded at Motown Records.
The objective was to market their music nationally.
Due to contractual conflicts, very few of the recordings were released; however, Johnson's drumming left an impression on Berry Gordy and the Motown musicians.
Johnson was asked to stay and recorded in Detroit for about two months.
According to Earl King, Johnson's drumming style was of particular interest to Motown musicians, and according to both King and Eskew Reeder, over time Motown's sound was influenced by New Orleans music.
In 1964 he released a two-part single titled "It Ain't My Fault" as a leader.
The song was developed over a drum cadence written years earlier by Johnson.
According to Dan Phillips, the song is an early example of incorporating second line syncopation into pop music.
The song has become a Mardi Gras and a brass band standard.
In 1973 he joined Fats Domino's band.
He had previously recorded with Domino as a session musician, however from 1973 to 1993 he toured with Domino on a full-time basis.
On weekends when in New Orleans he performed straight-ahead jazz in local clubs with saxophonist Fred Kemp, pianist Ed Frank, bassist Erving Charles and others.
The clubs included Kemp's Bar, Gerry's Club, Lu & Charlie's, and Joe’s Cozy Corner.
Over his career Johnson recorded on hundreds of New Orleans productions.
In 1993 he suffered a debilitating stroke and stopped playing drums.
