1. Smokey Johnson started on trombone at an early age and took lessons from Yvonne Busch, an influential music teacher who happened to be the Johnsons' neighbor.
16 Facts About Smokey Johnson
1. 2.
Smokey Johnson attended Craig School and Clark High School where Yvonne Busch taught.
3.
In 1957 Smokey Johnson joined Dave Bartholomew's band and replaced drummer Earl Palmer who had moved to Los Angeles.
4.
Smokey 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.
5.
Smokey Johnson said in Bartholomew's band he had freedom and was expected to be creative.
6.
Smokey Johnson was nicknamed "Smokey" after a bandmate joked about smoke coming out of his bass drum at a performance.
7.
Smokey Johnson became an in demand session musician after the release of his first recording with Bartholomew's band.
8.
Smokey Johnson was with the band from 1957 to around 1964 and performed on many recording sessions for Imperial Records.
9.
Smokey Johnson was asked to stay and recorded in Detroit for about two months.
10.
In late 1950s and 1960s, Smokey Johnson performed with Imperial recording artists such as Fats Domino, Earl King and Snooks Eaglin.
11.
Smokey Johnson performed on Earl King's funk classic "Trick Bag" and on Professor Longhair's carnival classic "Big Chief".
12.
In 1960s Smokey Johnson was an in demand session musician and served as the house drummer for Quezergue's Nola Records.
13.
Smokey Johnson had previously recorded with Domino as a session musician, however from 1973 to 1993 he toured with Domino on a full-time basis.
14.
Over his career Smokey Johnson recorded on hundreds of New Orleans productions.
15.
Smokey Johnson died on October 6,2015, after a long illness.
16.
Smokey Johnson was survived by his wife Gwendolyn P Johnson and children.