R&B Bridgez: Celebrating Johnny Gill’s 35th Album Anniversary
JG Is One of The Best Male Vocalist of Our Generation.
Johnny Gill has experienced enormous success as a solo star, as one-fifth of New Edition, duetting with his childhood pal Stacy Lattisaw, and as the G in LSG.
Johnny Gill was born on May 22nd, 1966, in Washington, DC, the fourth son of Johnny and Annie Gill and raised a “P.K.” – preacher’s kid.
The senior Gill was a Baptist minister who raised his family according to scripture.
At age five, he was already singing lead with his three older brothers in the gospel quartet, Wings of Faith, later The Gill Special.
Most of the time they performed at their father’s church.
Reverend Gill Sr. didn’t allow secular music in his home. Johnny discovered a love of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross through family picnics, parties and functions.
By the age of eight, Johnny Jr., whose deep, baritone voice was already emerging, became the family’s main vocalist.
Despite his father’s efforts, Johnny Gill could not resist the pull of R&B.
One of his childhood friends was Stacy Lattisaw, was a teen R&B sensation. She encouraged JG to record a demo tape. “She always knew I could sing and she told the president of her record company about me and that’s how everything took place,” Johnny Gill told an industry trade.
Johnny Gill‘s voice, mature beyond its years, impressed Atlantic executives and they immediately signed him to the label’s imprint, Cotillion. Johnny Gill was just 16 at the time.
The first self-titled album came out in 1983. Which included the modest hit single “Super Love.” The following year he had more success with “Perfect Combination,” a joint effort with Stacy Lattisaw.
The album’s title track reached the Top 10 R&B.
In 1985 his label released Johnny Gill‘s sophomore effort, “Chemistry.” It spawned the song “Half Crazy,” which went to #26 on Billboard’s R&B charts.
But Johnny’s body hadn’t caught up with his voice, and his two solo albums were uneven.
Johnny Gill left Atlantic and signed a new contract with Motown Records.
Then, seemingly out of the blue, Bobby Brown left New Edition in 1988. Michael Bivins tapped Johnny Gill to fill the void.
“N.E. Heartbreak,” was their first album together, was an instant classic, propelling the once teen icons to full-grown success.
The hit-making Twin Cities producing duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis provided the perfect backdrop for Johnny’s soulful vocals.
The following year, Johnny collaborated with the late George Howard on “One Love,” an overlooked gem that was the soulful saxist biggest chart hit.
Johnny Gill hovered on the brink of super-stardom.
In 1989, Johnny and Stacy released the classic “Where Do We Go From Here.”
He’d grown into his voice. Jheryl Busby, head MCA Black Music when Johnny was in New Edition, was now Motown’s new president.
He signed Johnny to a solo deal to the celebrated label, bringing in Jam & Lewis and L.A. Reid & Babyface Edmonds to produce.
With the release of his multi-platinum self-titled album, released 35 years ago today on April 17th, 1990; Johnny leapt into multi-platinum dreamland!
Speaking on his influences such as Luther Vandross; “It’s easy to wake up in the morning and just, be Johnny and not have to put on another face or personality. What you see is Johnny and what I do is Johnny,” he continued. “These other performers have had an influence on me, but it still doesn’t stop me from enjoying the ride and saying, “I’m Johnny, this is what I do.”
His Motown self-titled album, featured the hit lead single “Rub You The Right Way,” followed by the global smash, “My My My,” with “Wrap My Body Tight” and “Fairweather Friend” also chart toppers from the album.
Outside of providing his strong full-bodied baritone and smooth falsetto, JG also contributed on the album and played guitar, bass, bongos, and drums in addition to performing his lead and background vocals.
Johnny Gill was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite New R&B Artist, as well as a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male (“My, My, My” also picked up a Best R&B Song nomination).
The album is a no-skips, classic R&B 90s album, that has stood the test of time!
Rub You The Right Way
(James Harris III-Terry Lewis)
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions
Rhythm and Vocal Arrangement by Jimmy Jam & Terry LewisIssued as single Motown 2045, February 1990
#1 R&B, #3 PopMy My My
(Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds-Daryl Simmons)
Produced by L.A. & Babyface for LaFace, Inc.
Co-Produced by Kay and Daryl Simmons for LaFace, Inc.
Special Guest Sax Soloist: Kenny G.Issued as single Motown 2033, May 1990
#1 R&B, #10 Pop
Fairweather Friend
(Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds-Daryl Simmons)
Produced by L.A. & Babyface for LaFace, Inc.
Co-Produced by Kay and Daryl Simmons for LaFace, Inc.Issued as single Motown 2049, August 1990
#2 R&B, #28 PopWrap My Body Tight
(James Harris III-Terry Lewis)
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions
Rhythm and Vocal Arrangement by Jimmy Jam & Terry LewisIssued as single Motown 2077, January 1991
#1 R&B, #84 Pop
Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with Johnny Gill!
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