Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson
By Taters on December 29, 2007 at 2:08 PM in Current Affairs
It was 1977, at Paramount Recording Studio in Hollywood, CA. The bass player had some problems with the tune (He learned it in another key) and couldn’t get it. He would be paid but he wasn’t going to be on the track. I was next and was determined that my guitar track would make the cut.
The producer was none other than Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson, one of my favorite musicians and someone I really looked up to. He also had two back to back gold records at the time and was finally getting his due.
My part was going to be tricky, I had to overdub an intro without very much of a count on top. That intro was the lead into the song.
“C’mon, Lick Man, you’re up,” he said with a cigarette dangling out of the side of his mouth.
Johnny had two crowned gold teeth, he was an original if not THE original “playa” or “gangsta” who now owned a Bentley, a Stutz and of course, always a new Cadillac.
I was nervous and I missed the first try and I knew if I didn’t nail it, Johnny would do the part. “God, this isn’t fair! I thought, “Why wasn’t there a count for me?”
The engineer rolled tape and I saw Johnny looking at me. I nailed it. Johnny’s face lit up and he high fived me. ‘”I knew you could do it, man!”
Holy shit, I was relieved. The atmosphere in the studio was now festive, it was party time.
Johnny “Guitar” Watson was the most talented musician I have ever met.
Not only a superb guitarist, he was an incredible keyboard player, songwriter, bassist, vocalist and producer. He could easily move from a gut bucket blues, sophisticated funk or a complicated jazz tune. Originally from Houston, John made the move with his family as a child to Los Angeles. His credits included Louis Jordan, James Brown, George Duke, Frank Zappa , Cannonball Adderley and Freddie Hubbard. Zappa said the reason he played guitar was because he heard Johnny. He influenced Jimi Hendrix,who emulated John’s extroverted performing style. Rappers have often cited Johnny as an influence, Snoop Dogg was one.
(Witness Johnny’s “Space Guitar” from 1954) Steve Miller (Who covered JGW’s Gangster of Love) Prince, and Jimmy Vaughan are a few that fell who under John’s musical spell. No one more so than my boss, Etta James, who’s vocal phrasing is built upon John’s style. He and Etta were real close, like brother and sister. We do a JGW tune entitled “Ta Ta Ya, Baby” and Etta always gives him his due.
He was also a really funny guy and incredibly smart. Johnny also had his demons, which caught up with him and despite a rough spot he came through the fire. His career had rejuvenated and things were looking up. He had opened for Prince in LA and had all but stolen the show. Johnny died onstage from a heart attack in Japan in 1996, while performing his hit “Superman Lover.” Through the years, we had become close and I really loved him. He’ll always bring a smile to my face.
by Ronald Scott
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