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Blues Guitarist Johnny Jones Dies at 73

Blues guitarist Johnny Jones -- a Nashville legend and an early mentor of Jimi Hendrix -- died last Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the age of 73. The notorious guitar slinger was found dead in his Nashville apartment by exterminators. An autopsy is pending.

Called "a vital piece of Nashville's R&B history" by the Nashville Scene, Jones was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame's 2004 "Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970" exhibit in 2004, and through that project's Grammy-winning CD compilation and its sequel, Jones' 1960s recordings with famed Nashville producer Ted Jarrett were discovered by a new audience of blues enthusiasts.

Jarrett discovered Jones playing in a Clarksville house band backing female impersonators and elevated him to the role of sideman for Nashville R&B favorites Gene Allison and Earl Gaines. "He had enough insight to see my potential," Jones told the Scene in March. "I'm a blues man, had a blues foundation. But Nashville was country, jazz and gospel, and Ted was behind all the local stuff. During this process, man, Ted taught me how to read music and showed me all this other music. Most blues artists my age don't have that kind of background."

Jones first encountered Hendrix after the future guitar giant was discharged from the army, working Nashville R&B clubs after his release from Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tenn. Jones and Hendrix once faced off in a legendary guitar duel at the city's Club Baron in the early 1960s. Jones replaced Hendrix -- who eventually moved to New York -- in the King Casuals combo, which also counted Hendrix's future Band of Gypsys bassist, Billy Cox. He also appeared alongside Jimi on the regional TV music series 'Night Train,' where Jones played in the House Band.

Rounding out the decade, Jones performed with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown on the Nashville-produced R&B music TV show 'The Beat' and toured with soul-blues giant Bobby "Blue" Bland. By the 1970s, he had grown tired of the financial struggle in being a musician and retired until the late '90s. Jones returned to performing, supporting local R&B singers and ultimately releasing his first solo album, I Was Raised on the Blues' in 1999. In the past decade he continued to release acclaimed discs like 'Blues Is in the House' and kept an active performance schedule.

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joe

what a shame to hear that johnny died last year i like the gibson guitar interviews that he did that are on you tube he was a interesting man to hear

September 05 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Julie

Wow! I'm just in shock! Though I did not know Johnny Jones, I just heard the cutest song by him on Pandora. I wanted information on him and hoped to catch him on tour. The song is I'LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT, and judging by the lyrics to this song, that man really knew what being in love was all about. His woman was in the habit of being very critical of herself, as most of us are. The lyrics repeated throughout the song include "The next time you find something wrong, I'll be the judge of that."

February 06 2010 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mayhoney

I feel that Arthur is some jerk trying to start something negative on the blog.
If not, he is a person that has not learned respect. Whoohoo! I do believe Karma
might hit Arthur.... hopefully Instant Karma!!!

October 21 2009 at 12:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mayhoney

Arthur sounds like a very immature person.
Probably some young jerk trying to start something.
If not, then a person that does'nt know the meaning of respect.
Whoohoo! Look out for Karma, Arthur!! I pity the fool!!!!

October 21 2009 at 12:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marilyn

Hey Arthur......bet your obit won't be half as long as Johnny Jones! Have some respect.....he was a great musician.

October 20 2009 at 5:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Earl Foltz

Arthur--I have a feeling that nobody will care when YOU die either. Gee--some people are so stupid and incredibly devoid of ANY feelings--truly amazing. Rest in peace, Johnny Jones.

October 20 2009 at 1:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Howard

Wow,you Arthur are a complete chode. Show a little repsect. RIP - Mr. Jones.

October 20 2009 at 1:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paula Martinez

If you don't care, don't read it!!!! How hard is that???

October 20 2009 at 10:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
arthur

I really do not care!

October 20 2009 at 8:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply