Despite his early success in the United States, Johnson ultimately enjoyed more popularity overseas than in his native country.

[2] His early musical influences included gospel and blues,[4] but he began his singing career with a doo-wop group, the Junior Serenaders, in the mid-1950s.

He released three albums and several singles for United Artists, but continued to record in Motown's homegrown studios at Hitsville USA in Detroit.

At the top of the bill were Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, and James Darren with Jackie Wilson, Johnson, and Barry Mann.

Johnson's songs "Happy Days" and "Merry-Go-Round" (both written by Berry Gordy) were his last chart successes for the United Artists label.

But further significant chart action proved elusive, and Johnson was eventually released from his contract with United Artists.

[1] In the United Kingdom, however, "I'll Pick a Rose" became a hit after it reached number 10 in early 1969,[1] thanks to its popularity from the Northern soul scene.

The latter was also reissued as a single by Tamla Motown and was a hit in Britain, reaching number 25 on the UK chart in November 1969.

[9] Johnson continued singing into the 1990s, releasing a solo album on the London-based Motorcity Records label, owned by Northern soul DJ and Motown lover Ian Levine.

[1] On May 14, 1993, Johnson was performing in Sumter, South Carolina for a tribute concert to Bill Pinkney of the Drifters and collapsed, and he was rushed to the hospital.

It also contains several previously unissued songs, such as "Farewell Is a Lonely Sound" (originally recorded by Jimmy Ruffin), and mono mixes of his three Gordy singles.