General Norman Johnson was born 81 years ago today.
The frontman of Chairmen of the Board and an R&B songwriter and record producer, Johnson made an early start in music when he began singing in his church choir at the age of six. His recording debut came six years later on Atlantic Records, who recorded his group, the Humdingers. The group’s tracks remain unreleased.
In 1961, and following a change in name to The Showmen, Johnson and the group released the single, “It Will Stand,” on Minit Records. The track was a chart hit in both 1961 and 1964 and was a major beach music hit on the Carolina coast.
Although The Showmen recorded other offerings for Minit and Swan, including such hits as "39-21-46"— another beach music hit — they split up in 1968.
Johnson attempted an abortive solo career before joining the then new Invictus label in Detroit. Steered by Holland-Dozier-Holland, Johnson recruited Danny Woods (ex-The Showmen), Harrison Kennedy and Eddie Curtis. He also created Chairmen of the Board.
Their debut single, "Give Me Just a Little More Time," rose to #3 in the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1970. Further hits included "(You've Got Me) Dangling on a String" and "Everything's Tuesday."
Johnson commenced a career as songwriter with "Pay to the Piper," becoming a modest success for Chairmen of the Board. Other songs he wrote were successful when recorded by other musicians. These included "Patches" for Clarence Carter (Jerry Reed also recorded a country music cover version).
Invictus Records label-mates Honey Cone recorded the Johnson penned tracks "Want Ads,""Stick Up" and "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show." Also Johnson wrote "Bring the Boys Home" for Freda Payne.
Chairmen of the Board's popularity diminished in the middle of the 1970s, although Johnson and Woods remained together re-billed as the Chairmen.
Johnson tried a solo career again in 1979, and his debut solo album on Arista Records was a modest success. He teamed up again with Woods in the following decade, making a living on the beach music circuit.
In 1993, having lost little of his distinctive vocal style, Johnson released another album, What Goes Around Comes Around, recorded with Woods.
Johnson died on October 13, 2010 at age 69 of lung cancer in suburban Atlanta, Georgia.