3 minute read
Music
47
[IN MEMORIAM]
R.I.P. Roland Johnson
A St. Louis soul giant has le the building
Written by JAIME LEES
One of St. ouis finest performers has left the building. Roland ohnson, the ing of St. ouis blues and soul, has moved on to that great Sta studio in the s y.
When news of his passing hit the internet last wee , the tributes immediately started rolling out. The charismatic vocalist had captured the hearts of generations of St. ouisans with his magnetic presence, his welcoming nature and his smooth, smooth voice.
In a post to its fans on aceboo , the un y Butt Brass Band shared this favorite memory “ e was a wild card and we never new what was about to go down when he too the stage. Reminiscent of those legendary wrestlers when they were boo ed with young buc s for the first time. There s no rehearsing how this match is gonna flow. ... That first time Roland oined Brasstravagan a the band s big annual holiday show he wal ed on stage, as ed the audience if the band should pay him for being there, and launched into a random oreigner or Steppenwolf tune with made up lyrics We were completely ba ed and entertained at the same time. Roland had that crowd, and the band, in the palm of his hand the entire time.”
St. ouis musician oe eyer shared his sadness, writing that ohnson was “one of the nicest people and one of the most gifted singers I ve ever met, we lost a great one.”
And musician and producer aul iehaus I , whose Blue otus label wor ed fre uently with ohnson, shared a photo of the late singer with a caption that uoted the Bo tops “When I thin about the good love you gave me, I cry li e a baby.” ohnson was nown internationally for his performing prowess, but here in St. ouis we were luc y to en oy it regularly. rom Beale on Broadway to the enice Cafe to the Broadway yster Bar to ammerstone s to ff Broadway, ohnson wor ed the stages of St. ouis with grace and a captivating smile. ven people who had seen him perform hundreds of times were always overwhelmed by his charm, his talents and his fantastic fashions. uitarist vocalist at Wilson of evil s lbow and Rum rum Ramblers shared a wee ly bill with ohnson at Beale n Broadway for at least two years, and Wilson is full of admiration for ohnson s indness, camaraderie and abilities.
“Roland ohnson was one of the last of a dying breed of true stage performers,” Wilson tells the RFT. “A complete powerhouse in every way, he commanded the room and drove his songs home every single time, leaving stardust in his path. We were so very luc y to have him here in St ouis. e was a beautiful person.”
Tom “ apa” Ray, owner of intage inyl in the elmar oop and longtime host of the Soul Selector radio show on , was also in awe of ohnson s captivating stage show and easy nature.
“As a vocalist, Roland not only had the gift of a strong commanding vocal range, he also had a way with the sort of subtle nuances the great soul singers use to give a lyric an added meaning, a deeper feeling,” Ray tells the RFT. “Whether it was one of his own originals or a otown crowd pleaser, Roland ohnson was by far my favorite soul performer in our city, and he was my friend as well.”
Roland ohnson s talents seemed endless, and his legacy will endure. arewell to a true ing of the St. ouis music scene. ive im assie a hug from us. n
