Rock & Roll, Rockabilly, Motor City Soul, Country, & Native American:
ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JOHNNY HORTON, THE BEATLES (JOHN LENNON), RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS, JAMES BROWN, THE WHO, THE YARDBIRDS, ROGER MCGUINN, VAN MORRISON, JIMI HENDRIX, BILLY KIRCHEN, TERRY REID, STEVE MARRIOT, JOE COCKER, STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, JOHNNY HILAND, & ESTEBAN
Born on the coldest day his Dad & Mom could remember in upstate N.Y., JOHNNY LIGHTNIN' was the original member of LEGEND founded in 1983. The name JOHNNY LIGHTNIN' was given to him by his friends for his speed of fingering up and down the neck of a guitar & playing behind his head and wherever else he can find to play. JOHNNY LIGHTNIN' "TM" is trademarked through the United States Of America and it's territories. He grew up and went to school in Ann Arbor, MI during the age where Bob Dylan penned it the best, "The Times They Are A Changing". Coming late onto the cities birth for such great bands as BOB SEGER, BROWNSVILLE STATION, TED NUGENT, and many others, at the age of 17 the young guitarist and the band Raw Livic were sought by the manager of the then Youngbloods & Columbia Records, who recorded 3 demo songs with them. Unfortunately at the time Johnny had an incredible fear of large audiences and couldn't fulfill this dream. Through the years he overcame that shyness and played with various bands, Azmolee Songster, Teaze, and a band called Jedediah that was playing many of the top clubs as were Cheap Trick, Salty Dog, and R.E.M. at the time. At Washtenaw Community College he studied under longtime music instructor and WCC Jazz Orchestra director Dr. Morris J. Lawrence, Jr. in Songwriting and Recording. Johnny has opened for Waylon Jennings, Jeff Healy Band, Blue Oyster Cult, and John Berry to name a few. His recording of "Michigan Lady" under was a local hit in 1982, played on many radio stations and jukeboxes around Michigan.
The bass spot was filled by many through the years. Ed Parrish was with LEGEND the most, playing a total of 15 years with John. Their vocals reflected that of McCartney and Lennon as they tightened up the act, through the many years doing roadwork of Rock Clubs all over the Midwest. Kim French and Andrew Klingensmith and others also contributed to the longevity of the band. KEN JAKUBOWSKI was the last to play with LEGEND ending a 25 year span where it started, in Ann Arbor, MI.
Ronnie Johnson was the original drummer for LEGEND and was with John also through much of the roadwork stage. His higher range in vocals added to the flavor of the band as it swept the midwest capturing the eyes of large audiences. Jot Johnson came in adding a few more years. His friendship began with John at the age of 14 when they were in the band RAW LIVIC that almost made it to the big show. Liz Bell contributed many years also. It was a great blend of music at that time with Rock and Country at the same level. Her voice was a huge blessing to the women fans that longed for that female voice. Kinks, from KINKS & THE KREW, one of the earlier drummers, also finished off those final days of LEGEND in Ann Arbor.
LEGEND had a clean and unique sound with a blend of Rock, Country, R&B, and Soul Songs, assuring that they could perform for almost any event. Top that off with well written original music, Billboard Song Festival judges claimed LEGEND's songs to be "as good as the hits on the radio". Noble Books & Poetry.Com also claimed (alias Johnny Lightnin') Guitarist/ Vocalist for LEGEND, as a writer, to be one of the "Best Poets of 2003". The powerful voices, excellent harmonies, and years of perfected musicianship, they became a solid unit that was hard to match. "A Rising Star On The Horizon" as told by a Detroit Booking Agent. A true Michigan LEGEND .
Saturday June 20th at The Outer Limits we are playing one night only and will be shooting 3 camera angles for our upcoming video for "Whole Lotta Waitress".
Not only do we need to make sure this bar is wall to wall packed for the good of the video, but also to show the owners that we can pack their club.
Click the link above for directions to the bar via google maps. The Outer Limits is located at:
Hey, I meant to comment sooner but I am late... oops! I had a great time rockin with ya's in Whitmore lake.. It was truely nice to meet you Johnny! ~Let it Rock~ my friend.... Hope to see ya next time I am downstate! Have a Great Weekend my Friends. I need to break out my Red High Heels again soon... Take care.
haha, you are a funny man Johnny... I had other plans that night and couldnt make it, Im so glad to here you had a great night or weekend, good for you. Im happy yo see a comment from you thought you for got about us...lol I wish the best for you and hope all is great on your end.. thank you for the smile you gave me when I got your comment :) you take care and I will for sure hit Cowpunk for ya...heehee love ya, HUGS and SMOOCHES cupcake!!
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