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.
"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
Wassup sweetie,?? hope you are doing okay. Its starting to get hot back here, the humidity, I just can't handle it. Wish I was back in the climate of California.Next time I make a trip home, I am going to call you and hope that you are in town. Would love to see you. In memory of my Mom who passed in 2001, I have one of her "younger" pictures up as the default, just till after Mothers Day. talk to ya soon. hugs....Trudy
I'll chack it out...miss you and hope to see ya soon..will bring pics ..you are one of my favorite peoplr..I'm sure you heard pops winans passed away last week..david is doing well..cya cute boy
Gerald..what up baby..I found pics of you and Marlowe Henderson and one of you and Buddy Miles and me I will send to you soon..Let me know when you are playing in the area...christie love
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