Blues On Stage - JOHNNY ADAMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTED SINGER JOHNNY ADAMS PASSES AWAY

September 15, 1998

New Orleans singer Johnny Adams died yesterday morning, September 14th, after a long battle with cancer at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. He was 67 years old. Johnny was regarded by fans, critics and musicians throughout the world as one of the finest singers associated with New Orleans R&B and jazz.

Born Laten John Adams in New Orleans on January 5, 1932, Johnny was first drawn to gospel music, and was featured with Bessie Griffin and the Consolators while in his early twenties. He crossed the line to secular music with his 1959 hit, "I Won’t Cry," and subsequently enjoyed a string of regional best-sellers, including "Reconsider Me," "Release Me" and "Hell Yes I Cheated," which lasted through the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, he worked the circuit of black nightclubs throughout the South, where audiences marveled at both the range and beauty of his infinitely expressive voice.

In 1983, Johnny teamed up with producer Scott Billington and Rounder Records, and the nine albums they created brought Johnny to the world at large. On such recordings as Room With a View of the Blues, The Real Me: The Songs of Doc Pomus, and One Foot In the Blues, Johnny explored the full range of his talent, singing jazz, R&B and blues, winning praise from criitcs around the world. Among his many awards are a W. C. Handy Award, a NAIRD Indie Award, six Big Easy (New Orleans) Awards and several Offbeat (New Orleans) Best of the Beat Awards. Among the musicians who worked and recorded with Johnny in recent years are Aaron Neville, Harry Connick, Jr., David Torkanowsky, Dr. John, Duke Robillard and jazz greats such as organist Dr. Lonnie Smith and saxophonist Houston Person. During the last decade, Johnny became a regular attraction on stages around the world, perfroming frequently in Europe. His most recent album, Man of My Word, was released in August, and finds him returning to the classic soul music sound.

Contact:
Myers Media-Joan Myers 212-977-8111
Rounder Records-Scott Billington 504-891-9377
Rounder Records-Steve Burton 617-354-0700 x275

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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Copyright © 1998 by Ray M. Stiles
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.