What do the Sweet Inspirations, Greg Allman, Dave Mason, Les Dudek, Steve Miller, Crosby Stills and Nash and The Pointer Sisters all have in common?
The thick, funky bass lines laid down by one of rock music’s most unique voices of the bass guitar, Gerald Johnson. Currently touring with Dave Mason, Gerald can be seen and heard laying down his legendary sound in venues across the U.S. When one sees and hears Gerald play, there is no mistaking that his is an undeniable presence, a truly unique voice, an irresistible groove.
Raised in Washington D.C., Gerald knew from a young age that music was the thing he wanted to do. His brother once mentioned, “Man, there’s something strange about you and music.” At 16, he was playing his $80 bass at boarding school jams with Antoine Domino (son of Fats Domino) and had begun learning all the standard tunes of the times. By the time he was 18, he borrowed $140 from his Auntie to buy his first Fender P-bass, his choice of instrument still to this day.
His first professional opportunity came at 19 with an offer to tour with the established girl-group The Sweet Inspirations, who soon became an opening act for Elvis Presley on The Strip in Vegas. It was during a stint at the Lake Tahoe Sahara that Gerald met a young guitarist named Steve Miller, and soon he embarked on what would be a long career of making hit records and playing on major tours with a wide variety of artists, leaving a lasting impression in the eyes and ears of countless other bassists in the process.
His first gold record came with Steve Miller Band’s The Joker, which contained the first of many memorable bass lines Gerald was to record with Miller, including Abracadabra and Steve Miller Live! His work with Dave Mason on his album Let it Go, Let it Flow featuring the smash-hit “We Just Disagree” led to work with Stephen Stills, and eventually Gerald was invited to join the rhythm section for Crosby Stills and Nash, a position he held for 8 years and numerous tours. Gerald’s signature feel can also be heard on other notable recordings such as the eighties chart-topper “Fire” by the Pointer Sisters.
Besides contributing his talents as a bassist, Gerald has also logged a number of recording credits as a vocalist known for his soulful, authentic style.
In addition to his long list of live performance credits, Gerald has also made dozens of appearances on The Midnite Special, In Concert, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Arsenio Hall Show. As well as appearing in numerous music videos, Gerald was featured in a short film, shot at the Coppola Studios in 1986 featuring Steve Miller, James Cotton and Les Dudek.
Currently living in Los Angeles, Gerald can sometimes be seen wowing local audiences with his undeniable presence on the bass guitar. His performances never fail to capture the essence of what makes music come alive - an irresistible groove.
Hi Gerald, hope you had a great labor day, and did not have to "labor" too hard!! Its thundering here now, so have to shut this thing down don't want to blow up.........hope u are doing well....Love, Trudy
Enjoyed per playing (As usual) last night. Glad you graduated to the Ballroom . However... David needs to update the set list a bit. I loved "Alone Together" ... but he has done other tunes in the last 40 years .
And .. David is correct ... it IS the'Gerald Johnson Show , featuring Dave Mason' . YOu are too much .. thanks for bringing your talent to the Pacific Northwest .
Hi Gerald, You are too sweet. So nice to hear from ya. Nick says hi. Hope your touring daze went smooth and fun. We know how busy you are...just glad all is well. Hope we all meet again soon. XoXo, Mony
Hey hey!! I hope all is well and you're having fun on the tour....will you be making it to AZ at all? I would love to catch your gig if you do=) How is everything else going? All is well here...just working and waiting for school to start...you know, the usual... xoxoxoxo Joni
Hey Gerald, Thanks for your friendship. Great music, amazing bass playing & groove! Greetings from Germany, all the best & keep up the good spirit, Uli / BCB
high baby!!! I just saw little richard in new york @ B.B.Kings...he was great, also looked like he was in a lot of pain...said the pillow under his ass felt like a rock! I gotta hook up with you soon..still need to give you buddy miles photos.I will be in touch soon love christie...ps i just talked to david winans
"I see you Gerald" Hope all is well on your side of the map. Wish you guy's could come to Al. would love to see you, after all these years! Love ya, friend, Trudy
Hi Gerald...we should have a law and order party=) Glad to hear you are keeping busy and enjoying yourself...do let me know when you will make it thru my neck of the woods=) xoxoxoxoxo
don't want to blow up.........hope u are doing well....Love, Trudy
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