ArtistInfo

Razor Sharp

key,
Musician
A.k.a. Joel Johnson

Nickname of funk keyboardist Joel Johnson. Joel Nathaniel “Razor Sharp”Johnson , of Cincinnati, OH, passed away on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the age of 65. Joey, as he was affectionately known by his family, was born to parents Isaiah and Hortense Johnson nee Everett on April 5,1953 in Catonsville, MD – a suburb of Baltimore. He grew up as the second born of three. His father Isaiah, a classically trained musician and jazz pianist, was his first music teacher. He graduated in 1971 from Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD, where he honed his music skills, playing piano in the jazz band and clarinet in the infamous Douglass Ducks marching band. While still in high school he began performing music professionally, first with his father in nightclubs and later with the local Baltimore groups the Mellow Souls, The Sultans, Tomorrows Promise, Madhouse and Witchcraft. Joey gained a reputation as one of – if not the – “baddest keyboard player” in Baltimore, inspiring his manager at that time – Cleveland L.Blackmon, a local entrepreneur – to give him the nickname “Razor Sharp.” In1976 – upon the recommendation of Gary “Mudbone” Cooper – he received the call to join Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the rest is P-Funk history! For any variations that include "Johnson", please use the real name PAN.

ArtistInfo App

Acknowledgements

ArtistInfo for Mac, iPad, and iPhone