Ralph Randolph Johnson (born July 4, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Johnson is a member and percussionist of the funk/

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

/ disco band

Earth, Wind & Fire Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F or EWF) is an American band whose music spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, big band, Latin, and Afro pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million reco ...

Early life

Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles. His father was a lyricist and his mother was a vocalist, and they had music always playing in their home. At the age of eight years old Johnson received his first snare drum and drum lesson. Johnson developed a love of R&B music, listening mainly to Motown and

Stax Streaming API for XML (StAX) is an application programming interface ( API) to read and write XML documents, originating from the Java programming language community. Traditionally, XML APIs are either: * DOM based - the entire document is read i ...

and

Sly and the Family Stone Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. Its core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi ...

. He played in elementary, junior high and high school bands. At age 13, he attended a James Brown concert, which was his first live concert and was amazed by the three drum sets on the stage. In 1965, Johnson's brother introduced him to the world of Jazz. He join local bands "The Teen Turbans" and "The Masters Children".

Earth, Wind and Fire

In 1971, musician Maurice White the founder and bandleader of

, dismantled his band after recording two albums for

Warner Brothers Records Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label. A subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division of the ...

, leaving just him and his brother, bassist

Verdine White Verdine Adams White (born July 25, 1951) is an American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist for the band Earth, Wind & Fire. White was placed at No. 19 on Rolling Stone's list of The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time. Early l ...

. In December 1971, after White saw Johnson playing at a club in Los Angeles, he called and asked Johnson to audition for a new line up of Earth, Wind & Fire. White added Johnson, vocalist Helena Davis, vocalist

Phillip Bailey Philip James Bailey (born May 8, 1951) is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter and percussionist, best known as an early member and one of the two lead singers (along with group founder Maurice White) of the band Earth, ...

, flutist Ronnie Laws, keyboardist

Larry Dunn Larry is a masculine given name in English, derived from Lawrence or Laurence. It can be a shortened form of those names. Larry may refer to the following: People Arts and entertainment * Larry D. Alexander, American artist/writer *Larry Boone ...

, and rhythm guitarist Roland Bautista to his new line up. Vocalist Jessica Cleave a former member of

Friends of Distinction The Friends of Distinction were an American vocal group founded by Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, best known for their late 1960s hits, "Grazing in the Grass", "Love or Let Me Be Lonely", and "Going in Circles". Career The Friends of Distinction ...

soon replaced Davis. The new members along with the White brothers, became the new version of Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1972, they left Warner Brothers and recorded their album, "The Last Days and Times" for CBS/ Columbia Records. As an Earth, Wind & Fire percussionist, Johnson was inducted into the

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), sometimes simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie. The museum documents the history of rock music an ...

, received 6

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

wins and 2 honorary Grammys, received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, earned 50 platinum and gold RIAA awards, 4 American Music Awards, and have sold over 90 million in record sales making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time.

Solo projects

In 2000, Johnson traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark with

Morris Pleasure Morris "Mo" Joseph Pleasure (born July 12, 1962) is an American composer, singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Pleasure is a former member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and he's the current musical director of Bette Midler. Pleasure has ...

to start a new conceptual jazz project. The members of jazz ensemble known as, "Audio Caviar", were Johnson, Pleasure and Steen Kyed. The band release an album entitled, "Transoceanic", that featured guest artists including, Howard Hewett,

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...

, Johnson's band-mate,

Jonathan Butler Jonathan Kenneth Butler (born 10 October 1961) is a South African singer-songwriter and guitarist. His music is often classified as R&B, jazz fusion or worship music. Biography Born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa, during Apa ...

, George Duke and others. In 2014, Johnson teamed up with singer and writer,

Siedah Garrett Deborah Christine "Siedah" Garrett (born June 24, 1960) is an American singer and songwriter who has written songs and performed backing vocals for many recording artists in the music industry, such as Michael Jackson, the Pointer Sisters, Brand N ...

and released a Christmas song entitled, "Have a Very Merry Christmas" written by Johnson, Garrett, Erik Nuri and Raymond Crossley. The song was featured in the 2019 film, "

Holiday Rush ''Holiday Rush'' is a 2019 Christmas romantic comedy-drama film directed by Leslie Small and written by Sean Dwyer and Greg Cope White. It was released on November 28, 2019. Plot Widowed hip-hop radio DJ Rashon "Rush" Williams loses his job at ...

" starring singer

Darlene Love Darlene Wright (born July 26, 1941), known professionally as Darlene Love, is an American singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the girl group the Blossoms and she also recorded as a solo artist. She began singing as a child with her ...

. In 2019, Johnson released a solo project entitled, "Co-Swagit (Everything's Cool)". In March 2020, Johnson and jazz pianist

Gerald Clayton Gerald William Clayton (born May 11, 1984) is a Dutch-born American jazz pianist, composer and bandleader. Biography Clayton attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts; USC's Thornton School of Music, where he studied piano with ...

released a single entitled, "Smooth and You" written by Johnson, Raymond Crossley, Gerald Clayton, and D. Stone. The song was produced by Johnson and Crossley. Johnson has worked with a wide range of artists in different capacities. As a percussionist on Blue Magic's 1978 album Message From The Magic and

Stanley Turrentine Stanley William Turrentine (April 5, 1934 – September 12, 2000) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He began his career playing R&B for Earl Bostic and later soul jazz recording for the Blue Note label from 1960, touched on jazz fusion ...

's 1981 album Tender Togetherness. He worked as a producer on

The Temptations The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top ...

1984 album

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and Howard Hewett's 2008 album Howard Hewett Christmas. Johnson also worked with Drake, Nathan East, and

Meghan Trainor Meghan Elizabeth Trainor (born December 22, 1993) is an American singer-songwriter and television personality. She rose to prominence after signing with Epic Records in 2014 and releasing her debut single "All About That Bass", which reached ...

and others.

Personal

When Johnson is not on the road, he is an assistant karate instructor at his teacher, Mark Zacharatos', school. Johnson holds two Blackbelt Degrees. A 1st Degree Tang Soo Do and a 3rd Degree in Kung Fu Sansoo. He is a certified scuba diver with an advanced open water certification and a student pilot. Johnson is a tremendous lover of jazz and an art collector.

Discography

With Earth, Wind and Fire

Other projects

*1978 – Blue Magic, "Message From The Magic" album (Drums) *1981 –

, " Tender Togetherness" (Percussion) *1984 –

, "Treat Her Like A Lady" single (Co-Producer) *2001 – Jay-Z sampled Johnson's song entitled, "Song Cry" which was on his first Blueprint CD. *2003 – Audio Caviar, (Album) "Transoceanic" (Performer, Percussion, Drums, co-arranger, Co-writer and Co-producer). *2008 – Howard Hewett, "Howard Hewett Christmas" (Audio Production, Drums, Main Personnel) *2014 – Johnson and Siedah Garette, "Have A Very Merry Christmas" (Co-writer and performer) *2016 – Nathan East, "Serpentine Fire" (Featured Artist, Vocals) *2017 – Nathan East, "Reverence" (Featured Artist, Percussion) *2019 – Johnson, "Co-Swagit (Everything's Cool)" (Writer, Performer) *2020 –

, " "Holidays" off of her album, "A Very Trainor Christmas" (Composer, Percussion) *2020 – Drake, "When to Say When" (Composer) *2020 – Ralph Johnson and Eric Clayton, "Smooth and You" (Co-writer and Co-producer)

Awards

RIAA Awards

Multi-platinum albums *1975 – That's The Way of the World *1975 – Gratitude *1976 – Spirit Platinum albums *1973 – Head to the Sky *1974 – Open Our Eyes *1981 – Raise! Gold albums *1980 – Faces *1983 – Powerlight *1987 – Touch The World *1988 – The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. II *2003 – The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire Gold singles *1975 – Shining Star *1975 – Singasong *1976 – Getaway *1978 – September *1978 – Got To Get You into My Life *1979 – Boogie Wonderland *1979 – After The Love Has Gone *1981 – Let's Groove

Inductions

*1995 – Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame *2000 – Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame *2003 – Inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk *2003 – Inducted into The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame *2012 – Beacon of Change award at the Beacon Awards Banquet *2019 – Kennedy Center Honors

Grammy Awards

*2016 – Lifetime Achievement Award *2008 – GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, "Shining Star" *2004 – NARAS Signature Governors Award *1982 – Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals, "Wanna Be With You" *1979 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "After The Love Has Gone" *1979 – Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Boogie Wonderland" *1978 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "All 'n All" *1978 – Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Runnin'" *1975 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "Shining Star"

American Music Awards

*1976 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group – Soul/Rhythm & Blues *1977 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues *1978 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues *1980 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group- Soul/Rhythm & Blues

Other awards

*1994 – NAACP Hall Of Fame Image Award *2002 – BET Lifetime Achievement Award *2002 – ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award *2002 – TV Land's Entertainer Award *2008 – Honorary Doctorates in the arts from Columbia College in Chicago

References

External links

Earth, Wind & Fire's official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Ralph 1951 births Living people 20th-century American drummers American funk drummers American male drummers American soul musicians American tang soo do practitioners Musicians from Los Angeles Earth, Wind & Fire members Soul drummers Kennedy Center honorees