Tag: rock

Jellybean Johnson, a Pioneer of the Minneapolis Sound, Remembered

November 23, 2025

Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson, legendary drummer, guitarist, producer, and founding member of The Time, has passed away at the age of 69, just two days after celebrating his birthday. His sudden death marks the loss of one of the architects of the Minneapolis Sound, a genre-defining fusion of funk, rock, R&B, and new wave that continues to influence music today Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Wikipedia Bring Me The News.

Honoring His Legacy

Jellybean Johnson was born in Chicago in 1956 and moved to Minneapolis at age 13. It was there that he befriended future icons like Prince, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, forming the creative nucleus that would shape an entire era of music Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

  • The Time (1981–1984): Johnson was the original and only drummer for Prince’s band The Time, appearing in Purple Rain and helping deliver hits like 777-9311, Jungle Love, and The Bird. His drumming style became a cornerstone of the Minneapolis Sound Rolling Stone Yahoo Wikipedia.
  • The Family (1985): After The Time split, Johnson joined Prince’s short-lived project The Family, which released the original version of Nothing Compares 2 U AOL Wikipedia.
  • Graffiti Bridge & Pandemonium (1990): Johnson reunited with The Time for Prince’s film Graffiti Bridge and their album Pandemonium, which included the chart-topping single Jerk Out AOL Wikipedia.
  • Collaborations & Production: Beyond Prince, Johnson worked with Janet Jackson (Black Cat), New Edition (Crucial), Alexander O’Neal (Criticize), Mint Condition (Breakin’ My Heart), and Nona Hendryx (Why Should I Cry) Wikipedia Discogs. His versatility as both drummer and guitarist made him an in-demand session musician and producer.
  • Solo Work: In 2021, he released his long-awaited solo album Get Experienced: The Jellybean Johnson Experience, showcasing his guitar artistry Wikipedia Bring Me The News.
  • Later Performances: Johnson performed with The Time and Rihanna at the 2008 Grammys, and returned for Prince tributes in 2017 and 2020 Billboard Wikipedia.

Visual Timeline of His Career

Here’s a timeline chart capturing his milestones from 1976 to 2025:

Preserving the Minneapolis Sound

Johnson’s vision extended beyond performance. In 2021, he co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum, dedicated to preserving the history and cultural impact of the genre he helped pioneer Bring Me The News. His final reflections on legacy emphasized community, mentorship, and ensuring future generations had access to creative spaces like those that shaped him North News Bring Me The News.

Tributes

Musicians and fans alike have poured out tributes. Morris Day called him “more like a brother than a bandmate,” while Sheila E. remembered him as “a kind human being, extremely talented and funny.” Susannah Melvoin described him as “the master of loving you like no brother could” Rolling Stone Yahoo International Business Times UK.

Closing Thoughts

Jellybean Johnson’s artistry was not confined to the stage—it was embedded in the DNA of modern pop and R&B. His drumming, guitar work, and production shaped hits across decades, while his mentorship and museum project ensured the Minneapolis Sound will live on.

Credit: This blog post is based on reporting by Daniel Bird and expanded with details from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Fox9, and other sources Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Yahoo Billboard Wikipedia Bring Me The News Discogs.

When the Music Paused: Remembering D’Angelo’s Genius and Grace

October 15, 2025

By Charles Zackary King | America in Black and White

On October 14, 2025, the world lost one of its most enigmatic and electrifying voices. Michael Eugene Archer, known to us as D’Angelo, passed away at the age of 51 after a private and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His death marks not just the end of a life, but the silencing of a sound that redefined Black music for a generation.

The Rise of a Neo-Soul Prophet

Born in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo was raised in a deeply religious Pentecostal household. His musical gifts emerged early, nurtured by gospel traditions and sharpened by a hunger for authenticity. By 1995, he had already changed the game with Brown Sugar, a debut album that fused the rawness of hip-hop with the sensuality of classic soul. It wasn’t just music, it was a movement.

His follow-up, Voodoo (2000), was a masterclass in musical alchemy. Collaborating with the Soulquarians collective, D’Angelo summoned the spirits of Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, while forging a sound entirely his own. The album’s standout track, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” became iconic, not just for its stripped, down video, but for its emotional vulnerability and vocal brilliance.

But fame came with a price.

The Vanishing Act

After Voodoo, D’Angelo disappeared. The pressures of being a sex symbol, the weight of public expectation, and personal battles with addiction led him into a long hiatus. He became a recluse, rarely seen, often rumored, and deeply missed.

Then, in 2014, he returned with Black Messiah, an album that was both a political statement and a spiritual reckoning. Released during a time of social unrest, it became a soundtrack for resistance, echoing the cries of a community demanding justice.

The Father Behind the Fame

Though fiercely private, D’Angelo was a devoted father. He leaves behind three children:

  • Michael Archer Jr. (aka Swayvo Twain), his son with the late Angie Stone, who died in a tragic car accident in March 2025
  • Imani Archer, a gifted musician in her own right, who shared a touching tribute to her father after his passing
  • Morocco Archer, his youngest son, who has largely remained out of the public eye

His children now carry the torch of his legacy, not just in music, but in the quiet strength he modeled as a father.

Why the Industry Will Never Be the Same

D’Angelo didn’t flood the market with content. He gave us only three studio albums across three decades. But each one was seismic. He reminded us that Black music could be raw, spiritual, erotic, political, and timeless, all at once.

He was the heartbeat of neo-soul. A bridge between the sacred and the secular. A man who could make a Fender Rhodes whisper and a falsetto scream.

Artists like Lauryn Hill, Questlove, Raphael Saadiq, and Jay-Z collaborated with him, not just because of his talent, but because of his truth. He was one of one.

Rest in Power, D

D’Angelo’s passing leaves a void that no algorithm can fill. His music was never just about melody, it was about memory. About the ancestral pulse that lives in every chord, every lyric, every silence between the notes.

As we mourn, we also celebrate. Because D’Angelo didn’t just make music. He made moments. And those moments will echo for generations.

“We are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.” D’Angelo’s family