This is the first in a series of postings about the artists who are in the NC
Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis, N.C.
The music which has emanated out of North Carolina over the tears is
much varied and covers every musical genre you can possibly think of; from
Opera to Funk and everything in between. The plan is to do posts about these
artists to commemorate their birthdays. Mr. Bristol’s big day is today, February
3rd.
Johnny Bristol is a perfect example of the diversity of the
music which has originated in North Carolina over the past 100 years. Born
February 3, 1939 Mr. Bristol spent his early years living in Morganton, the
county seat of Burke County. It is in the mountains near Hickory.
The town
boasts quite a few famous people. In addition to Johnny Bristol there is Etta
Baker, known for her version of the Piedmont Blues, a separate genre unto
itself. In addition the likes of Senator Sam Ervin, the town also lays claim to
Frankie Silver who was the first woman ever hanged in North Carolina. On the
other end of the spectrum, the town is also the home of Paige Summers,
Penthouse 1998 Pet of the Year.
Mr. Bristol is mostly remembered as a musician-songwriter as
well as having been a producer Motown during its most active period, from the
late 1960s to the 1970’s. His own hits include the one here, which is kind of
an Al Green thing from 1974, to the song he wrote about his home town of
Morganton.
His first real musical success came in Detroit, where he had
landed after serving in the Air Force in the late 1950’s. As part of the duo
Johnny and Jackey; Jackey Beavers; they
recorded about half a dozen songs on two different independent labels, both
owned by members of Berry Gordy’s family. While these records were only
successful in the Mid-west, they were instrumental in opening the doors for him
at Motown. By 1965 he was working at Motown as a songwriter and producer. He
was the guy behind the mixing board for such hits as “Ain’t No Mountain High
Enough” and “Your Precious Love”.
This was probably the most creative period of Mr. Bristol’s
career. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold; as in gold records.
Wikipedia lists the following records among his accomplishments;
The Velvelettes "These Things Keep Me Loving
You" (1966); Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want To Do
Wrong" (1971) and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (1972); and Jr.
Walker & the All Stars, who charted with a number of Bristol-written
singles and albums, including "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)"
(1969), "Gotta Hold On To This Feeling" (1970), "Way Back
Home" (1971) and "Walk in the Night" (1971). Mr. Bristol even
recorded Jermaine Jackson's first solo record, "That's How Love Goes"
in 1972.
In addition to all the above, he was the last producer to
work with The Supremes and The Miracles, before they both lost their lead
singers. “Someday We’ll Be Together” is actually a cover version of Mr.
Bristol’s single with Jackey in 1961.His voice is even the male response on the
final released version by the Supremes.
In 1973 he was briefly associated with CBS Records as a
producer, but the label seemed to be unenthusiastic about his artists, which
included Boz Scaggs and also Johnny Mathis. By 1974 he was with MGM, where he
seemed to get his “second wind”. He was now ready to emerge as an artist on his
own.
With MGM he recorded 2 albums and placed several singles
in the charts. "Hang on in There Baby" was released in 1974 and hit #8 in the US on
the Pop charts; #2 on the R&B charts;
and even enjoyed success overseas,
placing #3 in the UK. "You and I",
"Leave My World" and "Do It To My Mind" followed one
after the other in 1974, 75 and 1976. In 1975 he was nominated for a Grammy as
Best New Artist.
After leaving MGM he went on to record with Atlantic
Records, a relationship which saw him working with some of the artists he had
worked with at CBS. In particular he was instrumental in Boz Scaggs “comeback”
“Slow Dancer” in 1974. He also produced the Tom Jones album “Memories Don’t
Leave like People Do” which contained 5 cover versions of Mr. Bristol’s songs.
By the 1980’s he was firmly embedded in the European
market with such artists as Ami Stewart. He continued recording through the
early 1990’s, making music with Earth Wind and Fire, as well as a recording
with his daughter Shannon Bristol. He even enjoyed some degree of success in
the Japanese market at the time.
Mr. Bristol passed away at his home in Michigan on March 21,
2004. He died of natural causes at the age of 65. Although some would not
consider him to be a major artist; or superstar; he was, and continues to be
well regarded in several genres. NC Music Hall of Fame is pleased to include
this artist among its inductees.
For more on the NC Music Hall of Fame and their other inductees, use this link;
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