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Bill Johnson Blues Band
Blues / Jazz / Rock

♠ A Blast of Majestic Blues Power ♠



Victoria, British Columbia
Canada

Profile Views:  21004




Last Login:  7/21/2009
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   Bill Johnson Blues Band: General Info
Member Since1/14/2007
Band Websitehttp://www3.telus.net/public/a6a90614/Site/Welcome
Band MembersBill Johnson vocals acoustic/electric/slide guitar, Rick Erickson vocals bass, John Hunter vocals drums, Darcy Phililps vocals keyboards. Contact at 250-652-5470 or 250-217-8347
InfluencesPretty much everything I've ever heard, but I owe much to Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Freddy King, Albert King, T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Stevie and Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray, Hank Williams, Elvis Presly, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Bo Carter, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Amos Garret, James Burton, Albert Lee, Charlie Christian, Barney Kessal, Herb Ellis, Tom Lavin, Hollywood Fats, Duke Robilard, Ronnie Earl and last but not least the guy who used to play with Dwight Yokum. .............................."I do not discriminate. I borrow from every one".
Sounds Like“ This man is a Canadian treasure. As soon as the rest of Canada hears of him, we won’t be just talking west coast. ” -Hornby Island Blues Society............................. "I checked out Mr. Bill Johnson's music and the guy is smoking. Some real good downhome jump and blues tunes with emotional playing and singing."................................. -Duke Robillard, multi award winning, legendary guitarist, and producer.............................. “Everyone came to dance and party to the Blues and Bill Johnson’s band delivered big time. This was the first time Bill has played in the area and if last night’s crowd reaction is any indication, it won’t be the last. The band has a tight sound, Bill’s guitar is powerful yet controlled and his voice was made for the blues, deep, resonating and passionate. The lyrics roll off his tongue with meaning and clarity, each song takes you on a journey, telling a story and above all coaxing the listener to get up and dance and be part of the experience.” Rod Dranfield President White Rock Blues Society................................ “I knew I would like this CD after the first few seconds of the first song”. -Tom Lavin, Powder Blues............................... “Unknown to me until his name appeared on the ballot for guitar player of the year, Johnson came to the show and although he lost out to Sue Foley, he did impress during his guest appearance in the winners jam after the awards. He hails from Victoria, BC and he bought this CD with him, recorded live at the Central Bar & Grille there a couple of years ago. As with many live recordings, some of the songs are warhorses and are perhaps longer than they need to be for listening outside the context of the night. That being said, he's an exciting player, from the T-Bone Walker/B.B. King school. The slow blues "Hurtin' Man" is a fine Johnson original and Preston contributes the excellent "I Feel Like Loving". Billy Branch's "How Can I Stand It?" is certainly not over-recorded nor is Duke Robillard's "Too Hot to Handle". The climax though is a treat: Papa Lightfoot's "Come On Baby", one of the most raucous Delta blues recordings you will ever hear, with its heavily distorted harp and vocals sung through the same mike. The band roars through this one, Preston is hot and Johnson tops it with his slide solo. The crowd loved it, you will too. The CD shows quite clearly why he was nominated.” - John Valenteyn, John’s Blues Picks, Maple Blues Magizine............................. “Among the many undiscovered blues artists in the country, Bill Johnson stands at the head of the line”. -Tim Williams, Juno Award winning blues artist .................................. “To my ears he’s the very best electric blues guitarist in the country”. -Ken Hamm, Juno Award winning blues artist................................... "One of Victoria's most prominant Musicians" Victoria Jazz Society........................ ..................._____________________________________________________________
View my page on LiveBluesWorld
Record LabelJuana B Music Company
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 4 2009 8:00P
The Superior Cafe every Sunday Every Sunday, British Columbia
Dec 28 2009 8:00P
Bart’s every Wednesday Every Wednesday, British Columbia

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   About Bill Johnson Blues Band
Bill Johnson playing with the one and only Hubert Sumlin. Bill Johnson's Facebook profile Bill Johnson began playing the guitar when he was 9 years old. Records by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton, were his early influences, but Bill remembers: “ Chuck Berry was the one that did it for me. Chuck made me want to play guitar”. Bill became a working musician early and spent most of his teens making music. During the 70’s and 80’s Bill played with various projects, achieving respectable successes while exploring different musical genres. Then he began to study the likes of B.B. King, Elmore James, and T-Bone Walker: “ These guys knocked me out. I was immediately hooked on their rhythm and phrasing”. The mid-1980’s saw him leaving the stage to pursue steady work and to focus on the music he loved, the Blues. During the 90’s Bill Johnson returned to the stage playing in the Sidewalk Blues Band with Doug Cox, before forming his very own The Bill Johnson Blues Band in 1993. Early engagements those years included opening for Otis Rush, Delbert McClinton, and a CD and tour into Scandinavia with the Lebeau Petersen Band. In 1996 Bill moved to Calgary. During this time he played with Grammy-award winning Donald Ray Johnson and was featured prominently on his recordings. Bill continued his education as a member of the house band at the notorious King Edward Hotel, and with stints as sideman to the likes of Hubert Sumlin, Son Seals, Cash McCall, and the one and only Dutch Mason. In 1999 Bill moved back to Victoria to be close to his family, and to pursue his own recording career. In 2006 Bill was nominated for a Maple Blues Award by the Toronto Blues Society for his CD Live, confirming his stature as one of the countries top performers. In 2007 he released the Work Songs CD surprising everyone with his talents playing solo acoustic blues guitar. Bill Johnson has spent a lifetime immersing himself in the Blues. He’s a master of the form and live is a blast of majestic Blues power.

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Bill Johnson Blues Band has 723 friends.
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Bill Johnson Blues Band's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 116 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
WINDJAMMER'S


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Jul 15 2009 5:43 AM

Hello
many thanks from France
for the add it's a real pleasure
to be in the lot of your friends
it's a nice day for us
Long life at your and our music

Friendships

Gihem for Windjammer's

SandyBone





Jul 14 2009 11:01 PM

Bill, the pleasure was all mine. We'll have to do it again methinks. Hope all is top drawer with you and see you soon right.
SandyBone





Jun 30 2009 4:07 PM

It was a gas playin' with ya again! Thanks for all man.
Du-Rite Aces





Jun 23 2009 2:33 PM

Back at ya daddy-o. Happy Father's Day to you too.
Mike Roach





Jun 23 2009 3:52 AM

thanks for the shout out man, have a great week!
Matóart





Jun 23 2009 1:38 AM

good night my friend Bill,
kisses Mató
Harpdog Brown





Jun 22 2009 1:02 AM

Back atcha Daddio...Happy Fathers Day to ya brother!!
Jimmy Warren





Jun 20 2009 2:34 PM

Thanks for Adding the Jimmy Warren Band......

Visit us at www.jimmywarrenband.com
fyrepyle


Online Now!


Jun 15 2009 4:28 PM

great blues...thanks for adding
Amitaba





Jun 13 2009 7:02 AM

Hey Friends wish you a lovely bluesy weekend!
Southwind





Jun 9 2009 6:42 PM

Thanks for the add !!
BLUES TASTE





Jun 8 2009 3:07 PM

Hey Bill!!Thanks you very much for being a friend!!;G R E A T _ S O U N D;
Great respects for your work... i like your art of Blues--- have a nice week!!!

All the best,BLUES ON
DIRTY LORENZ





Jun 7 2009 7:59 AM

Hi Bill!!!
Thanks a lot for addin' me.
All the best from Verona - Italy.
See you soon...kind regards...

your friend,
DIRTY LORENZ
MAGNETO GUITARS





Jun 1 2009 12:17 PM

Thanks for the kind words Bill!
Friends of the Night - 2nd album 'Room No. 11





May 31 2009 10:06 AM

Thank you very much for your support! We really appreciate it. Just subscribe to our blog if you want to stay up to date. May the force be we with all of us:-)

And for all others: Just add us to your profile if you like our sound. We make real music for real people.

By the way: Our CD "Let's talk about" is now worldwide online available as download (for example on iTunes).
Enjoy!

Cheers.
Friends of the Night
Bravo Johnson





May 25 2009 7:37 AM

Thanks for the add.
I hope someday you'll join us and the Johnson will live as one.
Mark McNeill





May 20 2009 3:21 PM

Hey Bill; Great show @ The Superior on Sunday nite! That new acoustic guitar sounds awesome...
Ritchie Lane





May 19 2009 6:28 PM

Cheers Bill,fantastic stuff,thanks for the add,all the best.
Amitaba





May 17 2009 6:09 PM

Thanks a lot for your friendship!
You gave a marvelous sound, so I guess I have to find some music with your band. Is it a Gretsch Anniversery green you have on the picture?

Take care... LIFE IS JOY, Lars
Jim Houston





May 3 2009 1:30 PM

Great set, Friday night at The Wise, Bill. Hope to see you again on down the pike.

Jim
Gospel Blues





Apr 27 2009 6:50 PM

Jesus gonna be here
Hardware - Fusion Tribute to Jimi Hendrix





Apr 25 2009 11:37 AM

Hi,
Cool!
Cheers
Hardware
Steve Kozak’s WestCoast Blues Revue





Apr 17 2009 9:48 AM

Hey Bill Lookin' forward to playing with you at Amberjack's next Thursday!
Gonna be fun!
Layla Zoe





Mar 24 2009 6:48 PM

Hey B-Diddy! How's life? A friend and fellow musician from Toronto, Brian Blain, is coming to Victoria at the end of May, and is looking for a jam or place to sit in for some blues. You may remember him as he was the man hosting the "campfire jam" for the Toronto Maple Blues summit when you were there. Brian is a very nice man, so if you can be of any help, that'd be great. He will probably contact you on here. I don't know much about the jams in Victoria anymore.
Hope all is great with you and Suzie-Q.
Much love from Toronto!
BAND OF MEN





Mar 2 2009 2:51 PM

Thanks for the add.
Great blues here.

Pier
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