Born Johnny O'Neal Johnson, he became the lead singer of Ike Turner's band the Kings of Rhythm.
[2] In January 1951, he recorded his debut "War Bound Blues" / "Ruth Ann" in Cincinnati which was released in March.
Backed by the members of kings of Rhythm which included Turner on piano and Raymond Hill on tenor saxophone, O'Neal recorded the sides "If You Feel Froggish" / "Whole Heap Of Mama" released on Saul Bihari's Blues & Rhythm label.
He took O'Neal and his wife Bonnie Turner to work in Sarasota, Florida with Earl Hooker and Pinetop Perkins.
They put together a band with Roosevelt Wardell (piano), Ed Wiley (saxophone), Robert Dixon (bass), and Will Cochran (drums).