John Leon Joseph Pavlik (May 25, 1938 – January 16, 2023), known professionally as Johnny Powers, was an American guitar player, singer, writer and producer specializing in rockabilly.
Powers (as Pavlik) began his professional career in 1953 at age 15, when he joined a local Detroit country band known as Jimmy Williams and the Drifters.
Later, having become a fan of Carl Perkins and the young Elvis Presley, Powers began to include rock & roll elements in his music.
[1][2] Until 1955, Powers performed and recorded under his birth name but, following a studio session for Fortune Records in Detroit, co-owner Devora Brown – seeing Pavlik eating a PowerHouse candy bar – gave him the stage name of Johnny Powers.
[1][3][4] In his five year relationship with Motown, Powers devoted most of his energies to producing and writing rather than recording.