Artist page

Johnny “Guitar” Watson was a seminal electric blues and rhythm & blues guitarist born on February 3, 1935, in Houston, Texas, USA. He passed away on May 17, 1996, in Yokohama, Japan. Watson gained recognition in the mid-1950s with hits like "Gangster Of Love" and performed alongside notable artists such as Little Richard. In the 1960s, he ventured into synthesizer productions. In later years, his work became a source for sampling by prominent artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Watson's influence extended to other musicians, including one who cited his 1956 song "Three Hours Past Midnight" as an inspiration for becoming a guitarist. Watson began his musical journey learning piano as a child and later took up the guitar under the agreement with his preacher grandfather that he would not use it to 'play the blues.' After his family moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s, he honed his skills playing guitar, piano, and singing in local LA 'jump bands.' Tragically, Watson collapsed and died on stage from a cardiac infarction while performing in Japan.

For any edit requests, please reach out to info@rovr.live