This Ride's A Blast!
JJ Johnson
Born in Helena Arkansas and raised in "The Lou" (St. Louis), J.J. Johnson always knew that he wanted to be an entertainer . Whether putting on performances for his parents and friends as a child, singing doo-wop on the street corner under a lamp post as a teen or singing gospel, J.J. knew that he was destined to sing.
J.J. began singing with a group called the Edsels back in the 60's and later, after moving to the Kansas City area, he began singing with Koolaid and the Exact Change Band. J.J. has also opened for many groups in the past few years, The Whispers, The Chi-Lites, Bloodstone, Ollie Woodson of the Temptations and Little Milton to name a few. Additionally, J.J. has made guest appearances with the Temps and the Tops in Branson, Missouri.
J.J.'s phenomenal vocal range has been compared to the likes of Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire and David Ruffin of the Temptations. He recently said in an interview that his sound was "The soul of R&B Classics and that of the Motown Sound, and I am enjoying currently singing with Platinum Express, one of the best groups in Kansas City."
Mike Panethiere of Platinum Express says: "J.J. is truly the embodiment of the 60's R&B, Soul and Motown singers. If you can imagine Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown, Bobby Bland, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, and Sam Cooke rolled into one package you would have J.J. Johnson. J.J. has developed his own style from all of his influences, and is a true showman. The energy of J.J.'s performance reaches all crowds young and old alike. One of the goals of Platinum Express is to keep the classic R&B, Soul and Motown sound alive by performing the classics and also writing new/original material in the same vein. With J.J. on board the combined talents and influences of J.J. and the Express make for the type of team that has the potential to become major recording artists."