Robb Johnson Explained

See also: Rob Johnson (disambiguation).

Robb Johnson
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Robb Jenner Johnson
Birth Place:Isleworth, England
Birth Date:25 December 1955
Instrument:Vocals, guitar
Genre:Folk, punk
Occupation:Singer-songwriter
Label:Irregular Records
Website:robbjohnson.com

Robb Jenner Johnson (born 25 December 1955)[1] [2] [3] is a British musician and songwriter who has been called "one of the last genuinely political songwriters". He is known for his mix of political satire and wit. He has his own record label, Irregular Records,[4] and has released more than 40 albums since 1985, either solo or in several collaborations.[5] [6]

Biography

Johnson began his musical career playing in folk clubs in the 1970s. He ran a folk club at the University of Sussex, before forming a band called Grubstreet, which split up in 1983. Two years later, he made his first solo album, In Amongst the Rain, setting up his own label on which to release it, before forming an agitprop group, The Ministry of Humour, with Mark Shilcock and Graham Barnes. After the break-up of this act and a failed attempt at forming a new electric band, he returned to performing solo, and also formed a duo with female singer Pip Collings.

In 1997, he composed the song cycle Gentle Men, based on the experiences of his grandfathers in the First World War. The song cycle was recorded by Johnson in collaboration with Roy Bailey,[7] and performed at the commemorative Passchendaele Peace Concert.[8] In 2006 he was a special guest at the BBC's "Folk Britannia" concert at the Barbican Centre, ending the night with a rendition of the World War I song "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire".[9] He remains active and has released at least one album annually for over 20 years, as well as playing regular gigs, including benefits and political events.

In 2016, Johnson and a group billed as the Corbynistas released the single "JC 4 PM 4 Me" in support of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which was considered a contender for Christmas number one.[10] However, it did not chart.[11]

Discography

Albums

Compilations, re-issues and live

Singles and EPs

Other appearances

Personal life

Johnson married Meeta Kanabar on 22 August 1992. The couple have two sons, Hari (born 1998) and Arvin (born 1999). Johnson worked as a teacher at various schools in London, but relocated to Hove in around 2006. He is a supporter of Brentford F.C. and has performed fund-raising concerts for the club.[41]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gregory, Andy . The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002 . 1-85743-161-8 . 2002 . Routledge . 261–262.
  2. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p543966/biography|pure_url=yes}} Robb Johnson : Biography]. AllMusic. 17 July 2008.
  3. Web site: Teacher-turned-musician's festive ode to Hounslow. Robert. Cumber. 3 December 2009. 6 January 2010. Hounslow Chronicle.
  4. Web site: Songs from the European Urban Experience: Robb Johnson and the Irregular Records Label. FolkWorld. 17 July 2008.
  5. Web site: Robb Johnson – Catalogue. Irregular Records. 17 July 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080515235633/http://www.irregularrecords.co.uk/robb/catalogue/index.html. 15 May 2008.
  6. Web site: Latest news. Irregular Records. 17 July 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080509093025/http://www.irregularrecords.co.uk/robb/news/index.html. 9 May 2008.
  7. Book: Broughton, Simon . Mark Ellingham . Richard Trillo . World Music: The Rough Guide . 1-85828-635-2 . 1999 . Rough Guides . 29 . registration .
  8. Roy Bailey . The Living Tradition . Johnson . Robb . 26 . April–May 1998 . 17 July 2008.
  9. Web site: Folk Britannia. BBC. 17 July 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080916133143/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/music/features/folk-concert1.shtml. 16 September 2008.
  10. News: Hallelujah! It's time to talk about the battle for the Christmas No 1. Sam. Wolfson. 15 November 2016. 28 November 2016. The Guardian.
  11. Web site: 2020-10-01 . ROBB JOHNSON . 2024-01-25 . Official Charts . en.
  12. Web site: The Irregular World of ROBB JOHNSON. Folk on Tap . 17 July 2008.
  13. Robb Johnson – Overnight (review) . The Living Tradition . 22 . Harragan . Bob . 19 May 2020.
  14. Robb Johnson – Invisible People . review . The Living Tradition . Raven . Mike . 22 . 19 May 2020.
  15. Robb Johnson – The Big Wheel . review . The Living Tradition . 36 . Rose . Alan . 19 May 2020.
  16. Robb Johnson, Miranda Sykes & Saskie Tomkins . review . The Living Tradition . 43 . Pownceby . Clive . 19 May 2020.
  17. Web site: The Triumph of Hope over Experience, Robb Johnson | Workers' Liberty . Workersliberty.org . 18 March 2003 . 19 May 2020.
  18. ROBB JOHNSON – Metro . review . The Living Tradition . 66 . Tuxford . Dave . 19 May 2020.
  19. Web site: Review: Leon Rosselson & Robb Johnson- "The Liberty Tree: A Celebration of the Life and Writings of Thomas Paine" - Americana and roots music - No Depression . nodepression.com . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110105221807/http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/review-leon-rosselson-amp-robb . 5 January 2011 . dead.
  20. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  21. News: Robb Johnson and the Irregulars: The Ghost of Love | CD review | Music . . 19 May 2020.
  22. ROBB JOHNSON – Man Walks into A Pub . review . The Living Tradition . 89 . Beeby . Dave .
  23. News: Robb Johnson: Some Recent Protest Songs – review | Folk music . . 19 May 2020.
  24. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  25. Web site: FolkWorld #48: CD Reviews . Folkworld.eu . 19 May 2020.
  26. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  27. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  28. ROBB JOHNSON – Us and Them . review . The Living Tradition . 104 . McCourt . Jim.
  29. Web site: Robb Johnson & The Irregulars – Here Goes Nothing . Folkradio.co.uk . 5 May 2015 . 19 May 2020.
  30. Robb Johnson – Margaret Thatcher:My Part in Her Downfall . review . The Living Tradition . 40 . Harragan . Bob . 19 May 2020.
  31. Robb Johnson – Tony Blair My Part in His Downfall . review . The Living Tradition . 57 . Rose . Alan . 19 May 2020.
  32. Robb Johnson – A Beginner's Guide . review . The Living Tradition . 62 . Pownceby . Clive .
  33. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  34. Web site: FATEA – Home . Fatea-records.co.uk . 19 May 2020.
  35. ROBB JOHNSON (WITH ROY BAILEY, BARB JUNGR, JUDE ABBOTT, JENNY CARR & JOHN FORRESTER) – Gentle Men . review . The Living Tradition . 100 . Devlin . Grem.
  36. News: Robb Johnson, Roy Bailey, Barb Jungr etc: Gentle Men – review | Folk music . . 19 May 2020.
  37. Web site: Robb Johnson, Label Irregular Records. Discovery-records.com. 31 July 2017.
  38. Web site: Robb Johnson & The Corbynistas, Label Irregular Records. Discovery-records.com. 31 July 2017.
  39. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20200918/7000/ Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 25 September 2020 – 01 October 2020
  40. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-54293767 Dennis Skinner: Song about ex-MP tops Amazon download charts – BBC News
  41. Web site: Robb Johnson returns. https://archive.today/20120630224837/http://www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~360090,00.html. dead. 30 June 2012. Brentford F.C.. 17 July 2008. 17 November 2004.

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