ArtistInfo

Johnny J. Blair

, GB
Singer of Rock and Pop
A.k.a. Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large"

“Singer at Large” and recording artist Johnny J. Blair is known for his maverick brand of “pop music with a twist,” a fast-paced mix of Americana, British Invasion rock, old school soul/r’n’b, psychedelia, punk/new wave and a melodicism breathed by classical, gospel, jazz, and world music. Brian Wilson called him “a virtuoso.” Goldmine Magazine said his music is “pop music with a conscience” while Spotlight Magazine dubbed Blair “the Harry Houdini of rock’n’roll” for his ongoing “escape from typecasts.” Urban humor, romantic abstraction, and bittersweet spirituality are images in Blair’s lyrics. His vocabulary is influenced by The Bible, classic comedy (Laurel & Hardy, Marx Brothers), film noir, the poetry of T.S. Eliot, and the writings of Raymond Chandler, Graham Greene and John Steinbeck. Common subjects are metropolitan allegories (She’s Not Some Animal), apocalyptic justice (Throw the First Stone), surreal road trips (Desert Ruby) and ironic nostalgia (I Wanna Bein’ Pennsylvania). As a solo act, Blair performs with “a vivid energy.” He was called “a white James Brown” by Brown’s legendary drummer, Clyde Stubblefield. Earcandy.com called Blair “a delightful entertainer.” For over 20 years, Blair has issued acclaimed recordings— from the “new wave concept album” DOOR IN THE WATER, to the soulful masterwork FIRE, to the bare-knuckled acoustic “agitpop” of TREADMARKS, to the “Ziggy Stardust meets PET SOUNDS” of GRATEFUL to the glam-tango tinged masterwork I LIKE THE STREET. Blair has collaborated with and produced a variety of artists--including numerous projects with Davy Jones of The Monkees. Blair played and worked with Jones for 20 years, and he was the touring bassist/vocalist with The Monkees 45th Anniversary Tour of the UK and USA. Blair said, “I learned valuable stagecraft from David.” In addition to being a Jones/Monkees sideman on bass, keyboards, & vocals, Blair has also performed with David Cassidy, Ron Dante (Archies, Cher), Richard X. Heyman, Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Buddy & Julie Miller, and Al Stewart ("Year of the Cat") In 2011 Blair released I LIKE THE STREET with musical support from The Badlees, Beyondo, and Mike Garson (David Bowie’s pianist). This was followed up in 2013 with the acclaimed download EP HALFWAY TO DAKOTA, with drummer Prairie Prince (Todd Rundgren, The Tubes) and power pop prince Chris von Sneidern. For 2018, Blair is back on the beat, working on new material and collaborations. Associated artists: Davy Jones, The Monkees, Funk Dub Division, Chris von Sneidern

Instruments

• Keyboards
• Bass
• Backing Vocals
• Guitar
• Drums

Genres

• Rock
• Pop
• Electronic
• R&B/Soul
• Folk

Plays With