Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Michael Johnson (1944-2017): A Requiem
I recently learned that one of my favorite singer-songwriters — Michael Johnson – passed away on June 25, 2017 at the age of 72. A classical guitarist by training, Johnson’s musical heyday was more than three decades ago. He is best remembered for a number of hits he had from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s in the soft rock and country genres, among them “Bluer Than Blue” (1978), “This Night Won’t Last Forever” (1979), “Give Me Wings” (1986) and “The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder” (1987).
Prior to his ventures into soft rock and country, Johnson performed as a folk artist, signing on with the Chad Mitchell Trio in 1967 along with then-upcoming artists David Boise and John Denver (the group was subsequently renamed Denver, Boise, and Johnson). Here is Johnson signing lead vocals on “Both Sides, Now” with Boise and Denver:
This is Johnson’s late ’70s hit “This Night Won’t Last Forever”:
And here is Johnson giving his last television performance four years ago, singing “I’ll Always Love You” on a morning show in the Philippines (starts just past the three-minute mark):
Another of Johnson’s songs — “I Can’t Get To You From Here” (1981) — will get a post of its own next month. One of Johnson’s frequent collaborators, fellow singer-songwriter Hugh Prestwood, once wrote a tune with the line, “Even if the whole world has forgotten, the song remembers when.” Indeed, if I could list all the memories Johnson’s oeuvre evokes, we’d be here all night long.
Godspeed, Michael. And thank you.
Published in Culture
I didn’t know this music. It’s beautiful. You’ve created another fan. May he rest in peace.
Glad you like it, Trink! He was an amazing talent.
Michael Johnson’s songs are permanently logged into my long term music memory having grown up with these songs on the radio.
… I was unaware of Michael Johnson, I had always just assumed this music was another England Dan and John Ford Coley tune ….
Thanks for giving proper credit to the artist .
Thank you Mike for posting these.
He was also a sweet, kind soul. He played the college bar where I worked in Mankato. A pretty big get for our little basement bar. It was a lovely performance and he was warm and kind to all if us.
Nice article, Mike. I hadn’t heard that he died. If you don’t mind, I’d like to add a couple of my favorite Michael Johnson songs.
https://youtu.be/-GsLLhNG3F8
Thanks for posting the links. Good music after a long work day.
I’m promoting this for 4PM ET. Comments won’t work until then.
Amazing how an artist’s work can impact our lives and hearts…A wonderful tribute, @mikelaroche, thank you!
You’re welcome, Nanda! Glad you like it.
Great stuff, Randy. This is my favorite from Johnson’s country period:
I’ve always liked that song too, and the video is just beautiful. Thanks, Mike.
Boy, You ain’t kidding.
Good post.
R.I.P.
Bluer than bluuuuue….
Here’s a nice write-up about Michael Johnson in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Very nice write-up. So wonderful they found each other.
Yes, and after forty years had passed! Here’s an article about their reunion.
This brings back a memory from fifteen years ago, driving down US Highway 77 to South Padre Island with an ex-girlfriend. She really loved this tune:
https://youtu.be/L-t0X3i2qbI
And here is Johnson performing with his long-lost daughter five years ago:
Since you brought it up, I love this song as done by Trisha Yearwood:
My wife and I had tickets to see him at the Dakota in Minneapolis a few months ago. The show was canceled because of illness.
I’d never seen him live and was looking forward to it.
May eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him.