| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Instrument: | Guitar |
| Johnny Jenkins | |
| Birth Date: | March 5, 1939 |
| Birth Place: | Bibb County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Bibb County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Genre: | Blues |
| Years Active: | 1962–1970 1996–2006 |
Johnny Edward Jenkins (March 5, 1939 - June 26, 2006)[1] 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.
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]
Jenkins died from a stroke in June 2006 in the same town where he was born: Macon, Georgia. He was 67.[1] [3]
Jenkins was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2012.[9]
With Otis Redding