Ralph Johnson

Ralph Randolph Johnson (born July 4, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Johnson is a member and percussionist of the funk/soul/disco band Earth, Wind & Fire.

Early life Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles. His father was a lyricist and his mother was a vocalist, and they had music always playing in their home. At the age of eight years old Johnson received his first snare drum and drum lesson. Johnson developed a love of R&B music, listening mainly to Motown and Stax and Sly and the Family Stone. He played in elementary, junior high and high school bands. At age 13, he attended a James Brown concert, which was his first live concert and was amazed by the three drum sets on the stage. In 1965, Johnson's brother introduced him to the world of Jazz. He joined local bands "The Teen Turbans" and "The Masters Children".

As an Earth, Wind & Fire percussionist, Johnson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, received 6 Grammy wins and 2 honorary Grammys, received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, earned 50 platinum and gold RIAA awards, 4 American Music Awards, and have sold over 90 million in record sales making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time.

Solo projects In 2000, Johnson traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark with Morris Pleasure to start a new conceptual jazz project. The members of the jazz ensemble known as Audio Caviar were Johnson, Pleasure and Steen Kyed. The band release an album entitled Transoceanic that featured guest artists including Howard Hewett, Janet Jackson, Johnson's bandmate Phillip Bailey, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, and others.

In 2014, Johnson teamed up with singer and writer, Siedah Garrett and released a Christmas song entitled, "Have a Very Merry Christmas" written by Johnson, Garrett, Erik Nuri and Raymond Crossley. The song was featured in the 2019 film, Holiday Rush starring singer Darlene Love.

In 2019, Johnson released a solo project entitled, "Co-Swagit (Everything's Cool)".

In March 2020, Johnson and jazz pianist Gerald Clayton released a single entitled, "Smooth and You" written by Johnson, Raymond Crossley, Gerald Clayton, and D. Stone. The song was produced by Johnson and Crossley.

Johnson has worked with a wide range of artists in different capacities. As a percussionist on Blue Magic's 1978 album Message From The Magic and Stanley Turrentine's 1981 album Tender Togetherness. He worked as a producer on The Temptations' 1984 album Truly For You and Howard Hewett's 2008 album Howard Hewett Christmas. Johnson also worked with Drake, Nathan East, Meghan Trainor, and others.

Personal life Johnson serves as an assistant karate instructor at his teacher, Mark Zacharatos' school, when he is not travelling. Johnson holds two black belt degrees. A 1st Degree Tang Soo Do and a 3rd Degree in Kung Fu Sansoo. He is a certified scuba diver with an advanced open water certification and a student pilot. Johnson is fond of jazz and is an art collector.

Discography With Earth, Wind & Fire

Other projects 1978 – Blue Magic, Message From The Magic album (Drums) 2001 – Jay-Z sampled Johnson's song entitled "Song Cry" on his album The Blueprint. 2008 – Howard Hewett, Howard Hewett Christmas (Audio Production, Drums, Main Personnel) 2017 – Nathan East, "Reverence" (Featured Artist, Percussion) 2019 – Johnson, "Co-Swagit (Everything's Cool)" (Writer, Performer) 2020 – Meghan Trainor, "Holidays" off of her album A Very Trainor Christmas (Composer, Percussion) 2020 – Ralph Johnson and Eric Clayton, "Smooth and You" (Co-writer and Co-producer)

Awards

RIAA Awards Multi-platinum albums 2003 – Inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk 2003 – Inducted into The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame 2012 – Beacon of Change award at the Beacon Awards Banquet 2019 – Kennedy Center Honors

Grammy Awards 2016 – Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 – GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, "Shining Star" 2004 – NARAS Signature Governors Award 1982 – Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocals, "Wanna Be With You" 1979 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "After The Love Has Gone" 1979 – Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Boogie Wonderland" 1978 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "All 'n All" 1978 – Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Runnin'" 1975 – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group Or Chorus, "Shining Star"

American Music Awards 1976 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues 1977 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues 1978 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues 1980 – Favorite Band, Duo Or Group - Soul/Rhythm & Blues

Other awards 1994 – NAACP Hall Of Fame Image Award