Jellybean Johnson

❧

Wikipedia

Jellybean Johnson
Johnson performing in 2006
Johnson performing in 2006
Background information
Born
Garry George Johnson

(1956-11-19)November 19, 1956
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 2025(2025-11-21) (aged 69)
Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Drums
  • guitar
Years active1981–2025
Labels
Formerly of

Garry George "Jellybean" Johnson (November 19, 1956 – November 21, 2025) was an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, and musician based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is best known for his involvement with the Time and its predecessor group Flyte Time, serving as a founding member of both groups.[1]

Early life and education

As a youth, Johnson relocated from Chicago to Minneapolis.[2] He received drum lessons at age 13 and two years later began teaching himself guitar.[2] He attended Marshall-University High School, where he played on its basketball team, then attended the University of Minnesota.[2]

Career

As the drummer for the Time,[3] Johnson worked alongside famed producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded with and/or produced many notable artists including Alexander O'Neal, Cherrelle, New Edition, and Janet Jackson, with whom he had the 1990 No. 1 single, "Black Cat".

After the breakup of the Time, Johnson worked as a producer-musician as well as songwriter and became a long-time associate of Flyte Tyme productions. His first assignment was Alexander O'Neal's No. 11 R&B hit "Innocent" (produced by fellow Time bandmates Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis), on which he contributed both drums and guitar solos for the second half of the ten-minute long song. From this recording forward, Johnson became an in-demand session guitarist, drummer, and percussionist. He also produced a number of hits for the aforementioned as well as New Edition and helmed Mint Condition's 1991 debut album Meant to Be Mint.

Johnson re-joined the Time for the Prince feature film Graffiti Bridge and its accompanying Time album, Pandemonium. Shortly after, Johnson returned to touring with Morris Day, while continuing to produce emerging artists and work as a session player.

In 2008, he collaborated with Rihanna at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards,[4] then began work on his solo debut. Following the unexpected death of Prince in 2016, Johnson halted production. He returned to the Grammy Stage for both the 2017 tribute and the 2020 Salute To Prince, and finally released the album Get Experienced in 2021.[2]

In 2022, Johnson founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum.[5] That same year, he and fellow members of The Time were awarded a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.[6]

Personal life and death

Johnson was 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and played competitive basketball as a teenager.[2] He had seven children.[2] Johnson died at the age of 69 on November 21, 2025.[7][8][9][10]

Discography

Albums

  • 1981 – The Time
  • 1982 – What Time is it?
  • 1984 – Ice Cream Castle
  • 1985 – The Family
  • 1990 – Pandemonium

Songs produced

  • Alexander O'Neal – "Criticize" (No. 4 R&B)
  • Nona Hendryx – "Why Should I Cry" (No. 5 R&B)
  • New Edition – "Crucial" (No. 4 R&B)
  • Janet Jackson – "Black Cat" (No. 1 Rock / No. 1 Pop / No. 10 R&B)
  • Mint Condition – "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)" (No. 3 R&B / No. 6 Pop) and "Forever in Your Eyes" (No. 7 R&B).

References

  1. ↑ "Reunion time". The Boston Globe. June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. The Time, the seven-man Minneapolis funk band featured in the Prince movie "Purple Rain," are reuniting, 18 years after their last studio album. The band members are (from left) Jimmy Jam, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Morris Day, Terry Lewis, Monte Noir, and Jellybean Johnson
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bream, John (March 19, 2021). "At 64, Minnesota music hero Jellybean Johnson makes his solo guitar debut". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ Gundersen, Edna (June 22, 2008). "It's time again for The Time". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Suited up for a comeback: Jimmy Jam (front left), Jellybean Johnson and Morris Day
  4. ↑ "Singers Morris Day of the Time and Rihanna perform onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California". Getty Images. February 11, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Minneapolis Sound Museum honors local music legends". Fox 9 Twin Cities. June 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 7, 2022). "Morris Day & the Time to Receive Legend Award at 2022 Soul Train Awards". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  7. ↑ Bream, Jon (November 22, 2025). "Jellybean Johnson, pillar of Minneapolis music, dies at 69". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  8. ↑ Roll, Bryan (November 22, 2025). "Jellybean Johnson, The Time Drummer and Prince Assiociate, Dies at 69". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ Garner, Glenn (November 22, 2025). "Jellybean Johnson Dies: The Time Drummer Was 69". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ Fitzgerald, Kilat (November 22, 2025). "Jellybean Johnson, Minneapolis music legend, dies at 69". Fox 9 Twin Cities. Retrieved November 22, 2025.