Johnny Jenkins

For the American racecar driver, see Johnny Jenkins (racing driver).

Johnny Edward Jenkins (March 5, 1939 – June 26, 2006)^[1][2] was an American left-handed blues guitarist, who helped launch the career of Otis Redding.^[2] His flamboyant style of guitar playing also influenced Jimi Hendrix.^[3]

Johnny Jenkins
Born	(1939-03-05)March 5, 1939 Bibb County, Georgia, U.S.
Died	June 26, 2006(2006-06-26) (aged 67) Bibb County, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Blues
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Guitar
Years active	1962–1970 1996–2006

Career

In the 1960s Jenkins was the leader of the Pinetoppers, who employed a young Otis Redding as singer.^[3] As Jenkins did not have a driver's license, Redding also served as his personal driver.^[2] During a recording session in 1962 organized by the band's manager, Phil Walden, Jenkins left forty minutes of studio time unused. Redding used this time to record a ballad, "These Arms of Mine", on which Jenkins played guitar.^[3] Scott Freeman, in his biography of Redding, Otis!: The Otis Redding Story, gives several accounts of that chaotic day at Stax Records.^[4] In 1964, Jenkins released an instrumental single, "Spunky" (Volt V-122).^[5]

With Phil Walden concentrating on Redding's flourishing career, Jenkins was sidelined, and it was not until after Redding's death in 1967 that Walden again concentrated on Jenkins's career.^[2] In 1970, Jenkins released the album Ton-Ton Macoute!.^[3] The opening track, a cover of Dr. John's "I Walk on Guilded Splinters",^[2] has been sampled by numerous musicians, including Beck (Loser), and Oasis (Go Let It Out).^[6] Several tracks on Ton-Ton Macoute! featured Duane Allman on guitar and dobro.^[7]

With Walden again becoming involved in other projects, Jenkins became disillusioned with the music industry and did nothing of note until 1996. By then Walden had persuaded him to make a comeback, and he released the album Blessed Blues, recorded with Chuck Leavell.^[3] Two further albums followed: Handle with Care and All in Good Time.^[8]

Death

Jenkins died from a stroke in June 2006 in the same town where he was born: Macon, Georgia. He was 67.^[1][3]

Induction

Jenkins was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2012.^[9]

Discography

Solo

• Ton-Ton Macoute! (1970)
• Blessed Blues (1996)
• Handle With Care (2001)
• All in Good Time (2005)

With Otis Redding

• Pain in My Heart (Atco Records, 1964)
• The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Atco Records, 1965)