Johnnie Clyde Johnson (July 8, 1924 – April 13, 2005)[1][2] was an American pianist who played jazz, blues, and rock and roll.

[4] During World War II,[5] he joined the United States Marine Corps and became a member of Bobby Troup's all-serviceman jazz orchestra: the Barracudas.

After his service, Johnson moved to Detroit and then Chicago, where he sat in with many notable artists, including Muddy Waters and Little Walter.

Johnson moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1952; he immediately assembled a jazz and blues group called the Sir John Trio[6] with the drummer Ebby Hardy and the saxophonist Alvin Bennett.

Although Berry was hired as a limited guitarist, he added vocals and showmanship to the group and soon became a permanent member of the trio.

Over the next twenty years, the two collaborated on many of Berry's songs, including "School Days", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Carol", and "Nadine".

In the early and mid 1980s he was a member of The Sounds of The City, with vocalist Larry Thurston, bassist Gus Thornton, and guitarist Tom Maloney.

Johnson performed all over St. Louis with Tommy Bankhead, Oliver Sain, and many significant blues artists throughout their lives.

Although Johnson had been supporting himself as a bus driver in St. Louis, the exposure and experience of the film helped him return to headlining.

He performed with the Kentucky Headhunters on occasion and was featured in both the "Dumas Walker" and "Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine" videos.

[6] Johnson toured worldwide as a solo artist, and released records produced by Keith Richards, Jimmy Vivino, and Al Kooper.

The book was entered into the annual Pulitzer Prize competition by Congressman John Conyers and garnered Johnson more recognition.

And Still Bad!, was recorded in St. Louis in late 2004, consisting of all original songs written with the producer, Jeff Alexander, which was a first for Johnson.

Originally released in 1999 (a DVD was issued in 2005), the video is hosted by David Bennett Cohen, along with Johnson's band, featuring guitarist Jimmy Vivino.