Johnny Ross
| Johnny Ross | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John W. Ross Jr |
| Origin | Indiana, USA |
| Died | 09 February 2006, Age 63 |
| Genres | Soull, R&B, soul, Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | c.1960 - 2006 |
| Associated acts | Baby Huey & the Babysitters, Melvyn "Deacon" Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosion |
| Notable instruments | |
| Guitar, vocals, organ, bass, drums, violin | |
Johnny Ross was a multi instrumentalist, singer songwriter and founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters who died in 2006 as a result of appendicitis.[1] He also hosted his own cable television show.
Biography
Along with Melvyn "Deacon" Jones and James Ramey aka Baby Huey, Ross was a founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters.[2] He stayed with the Babysitters for nearly a decade and during that time he wrote two of their songs, "Monkey Man" and "Just Being Careful".[3] "Monkey Man" appears on numerous 60's various artists compilations including Pittsburghs Greatest Hits,[4] Teenage Shutdown: Jump, Jive and Harmonize,[5] Mad Mike's Monstors Vol 3 [6]
After he left the Babysitters he went solo and recorded some soul singles, "I Can't Help Myself" which appears on a Northern Soul dance compilation.[7]
In later years
From the early 1990s until the time of his death Ross and his wife managed Ross Music and Video Productions.[8] He was also scoring music for television shows, commercials etc. Sears, Mattel Toys were among the brands that he did music for.[9]
He also had a cable television show Creating Music that ran for ten years.[10] Among the guests that he had on his show were, Mo' Beat Blues,[11] members of Michael Jackson's extended family to Gary Mayor Scott King who played bass to members of The Spaniels.[12]
From the early 2000s he branched out to doing the soundtracks for movies. Two were for Fred "The Hammer" Williamson.[13] They were Down 'n Dirty and On The Edge.
In addition to music, Ross also ran security and he had served as head of security for many municipal events and he also personally handled security for Coretta Scott King, the widow of Dr Martin Luther King.[14]
Television
- The Johnny Ross Show, Creating Music - (c) 1994 - 2006 (Cable) [15]
Soundtrack
- Down 'n Dirty - 2000 [16]
- On The Edge - 2002
Discography
- Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions - "I Can't Help Myself" / "Sore Loser" - Chirrup 1523
- Electric City Featuring Johnny Ross - "Gemini" / "We're Gonna Make It" - 20th Century Fox TC-2360 - 1977[17]
Compilation
- Northern Soul Story 4 - Soul Supply Records LPSD 121 - 1987 - Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions - I Can't Help Myself (2 LP) [18]
- Northern Soul Dance Party Goldmine GSCD46 - Johnny Ross & the Soul Explosion - "I Can't Help Myself" [19]
- Down 'n Dirty (Soundtrack) - Select-O-Hits - 2000
References
- ↑ Dead Rock Stars Club 2006 January to June
- ↑ nwi.com Johnny Ross a region music resource
- ↑ Garage Hangover Baby Huey and the Baby Sitters
- ↑ http://www.4ddai.com Pittsburghs Greatest Hits
- ↑ Artist Direct Teenage Shutdown: Jump, Jive and Harmonize
- ↑ marmottarammler.blogspot.com/ Mittwoch, 2. Dezember 2009, Mad Mike Monsters Vol. 3
- ↑ Rate Your Music Northern Soul Dance Party
- ↑ nwi.com Johnny Ross, Jr. was a musician and mentor to fledgling artists
- ↑ nwi.com Johnny Ross a region music resource
- ↑ nwi.com Johnny Ross, Jr. was a musician and mentor to fledgling artists
- ↑ mobeatblues.com News Stories, Features and Interviews
- ↑ nwi.com Media help expose local musicians
- ↑ HighBeam RESEARCH Article: Johnny Ross gets lofty praise from notable filmmaker
- ↑ nwi.com Johnny Ross, Jr. was a musician and mentor to fledgling artists
- ↑ nwi.com Media help expose local musicians
- ↑ Imdb Full cast and crew for Down 'n Dirty
- ↑ Discogs Electric City (3) Featuring Johnny Ross - Gemini / We're Gonna Make
- ↑ Discogs Various - Northern Soul Story 4
- ↑ http://www.localdial.com /cdpages/dance.htm Northern Soul Dance Party