[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      IN HONOR OF JOHNNIE JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the beloved rock and 
roller, Johnnie Johnson, for his monumental contributions he has made 
to American music over the past half-century. The rock and roll 
community will recognize him for his accomplishments by naming December 
1, 1999 ``Johnnie Johnson Day'' at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 
Cleveland, Ohio.
  It all began on New Year's Eve 1952. The saxophonist for the Johnnie 
Johnson Trio fell ill and could not perform. Johnnie knew of a local 
guitar player named Chuck Berry, who agreed to sit in for the occasion. 
The evening was a smashing success and Berry instantly became a member 
of the Johnnie Johnson Trio. As their popularity grew, it was evident 
that Berry had a flare for entertaining audiences. Because of Berry's 
business insight, Johnnie agreed to make him the headliner. They 
decided that Berry would write the lyrics, and then he and Johnnie 
would put the music behind them. They eventually went on to record 
their first album, Maybellene, in 1955 and later great hits including 
Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music, and Back in the USA.
  Although not fully credited in the past, Johnnie Johnson has become 
widely recognized as the best blues pianist in the world and holder of 
the trademarks ``Father of Rock & Roll'' and ``Father of Rock & Roll 
Piano.'' Recently, Johnnie Johnson has won several ``Best Pianist'' 
awards as well as receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 
Riverfront Times Music Magazine and the city of St. Louis in 1996. In a 
recent book about the man of music, author Travis Fitzpatrick tells the 
story of the music and the man that shaped the rock and roll world. 
Father of Rock & Roll: The Story Of Johnnie ``B. Goode'' Johnson 
secures the unsung hero his rightful place in history. Johnnie Johnson 
is finally on the way to receiving the credit he so rightfully 
deserves.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring this great musician, 
Johnnie ``B. Goode'' Johnson, for his unselfish dedication to music. 
``Johnnie Johnson Day'' is only a small recognition that we could give 
the man who's music moved us time and again.

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