Johnny Adams Similar Artists

Bobby Charles - 65% match to Johnny Adams

Robert Charles Guidry, 21 February 1938, Abbeville, Louisiana, USA. Charles became well known in the 50s when three of his songs - ‘See You Later Alligator’, ‘Walking To New Orleans’ and ‘But I Do’ - were successfully covered by Bill Haley, Fats Domino and Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry. The composer also recorded in his own right for Chicag Read more

Earl King - 38% match to Johnny Adams

Earl Silas Johnson IV, 7 February 1934, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 17 April 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The son of a blues pianist, King became an accomplished guitarist and singer with local bands before making his first recordings in 1953 for Savoy Records (‘Have You Gone Crazy’, credited to Earl Johnson) and Specialty Records (‘A Mother’s L Read more

Aaron Neville - 36% match to Johnny Adams

24 January 1941, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Neville began performing in the Hawkettes, a group that also featured his brother Art Neville. Aaron was signed to Minit Records as a solo artist, but despite a minor hit with ‘Over You’ (1960), he remained largely unknown until the release of ‘Tell It Like It Is’ (1966). This simple, haunting ballad showcased Read more

Joe Tex - 34% match to Johnny Adams

Joseph Arrington Jnr., 8 August 1933, Rogers, Texas, USA, d. 13 August 1982, Navasota, Texas, USA. The professional career of this popular singer began onstage at the Apollo. He won first place in a 1954 talent contest and duly secured a record deal. Releases on King Records, Ace Records and the Anna labels were derivative and disappointing, but Tex meanwhile honed his songw Read more

Allen Toussaint - 33% match to Johnny Adams

14 January 1938, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. This influential artist first came to prominence in the mid-50s as the touring piano player with Shirley And Lee. The duo’s producer, Dave Bartholomew, began using Toussaint on several recording sessions, including those of Smiley Lewis and, on a handful of occasions, Fats Domino. The artist’s solo debut came in 1958 wi Read more

Joe Simon - 32% match to Johnny Adams

2 September 1943, Simmesport, Louisiana, USA. Simon’s professional career began following his move to Oakland, California, where a 1962 release, ‘My Adorable One’, was a minor hit. In 1964, Joe met John Richbourg, a Nashville-based disc jockey who began guiding the singer’s musical path, initially on the Sound Stage 7 label. ‘Let’s Do It Over
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Lee Dorsey - 32% match to Johnny Adams

Irving Lee Dorsey, 24 December 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, d. 1 December 1986, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. An ex-boxer (nicknamed ‘Kid Chocolate’) turned singer, Dorsey first recorded for Joe Banashak’s Instant label. One song, ‘Lottie Mo’, became a regional hit and led to a contract with Fury. The infectious ‘Ya Ya’ (1961) was a nu Read more

Bobby "Blue" Bland - 31% match to Johnny Adams

Robert Calvin Bland, 27 January 1930, Rosemark, Tennessee, USA. Having moved to Memphis with his mother, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland started singing with local gospel groups, including the Miniatures. Eager to expand his interests, he began frequenting the city’s infamous Beale Street, where he became associated with an ad hoc circle of aspiring musicians, named, not u Read more

Irma Thomas - 31% match to Johnny Adams

Irma Lee, 18 February 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana, USA. The ‘Soul Queen Of New Orleans’ was discovered in 1958 by band leader Tommy Ridgley. Her early records were popular locally, but an R&B hit came in 1960 with ‘(You Can Have My Husband But Please) Don’t Mess With My Man’. The following year Thomas rejoined producer/writer Allen Toussaint, wi Read more

Lead Belly - 31% match to Johnny Adams

Pee Wee Crayton - 28% match to Johnny Adams

Connie Curtis Crayton, 18 December 1914, Liberty Hill, Texas, USA, d. 25 June 1985, Los Angeles, California, USA. After learning to play ukulele and banjo as a child, Crayton took up the guitar in his mid-twenties. He was inspired by Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker, the latter of whom taught Crayton the basics of electric guitar playing. His tutelage was completed at the Read more

Snooks Eaglin - 28% match to Johnny Adams

Fird Eaglin, 21 January 1936, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Eaglin was left blind after a childhood illness and was given the nickname Snooks after a character in a radio series. He played guitar and sang in Baptist churches before winning a local talent contest in 1947. During the 50s he was a street singer in New Orleans, performing a variety of pop, blues and folk material Read more

Dr. John - 26% match to Johnny Adams

Professor Longhair - 26% match to Johnny Adams

Henry Roeland Byrd, 19 December 1918, Bogalusa, Louisiana, USA, d. 30 January 1980, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Byrd grew up in New Orleans where he was part of a novelty dance team in the 30s. He also played piano, accompanying John Lee ‘Sonny Boy’ Williamson. After wartime service, Byrd gained a residency at the Caldonia club, whose owner christened him Professo Read more

Smiley Lewis - 26% match to Johnny Adams

Overton Amos Lemons, 5 July 1913, DeQuincy, Louisiana, USA, d. 7 October 1966, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. While failing to gain the commercial plaudits his work deserved, this New Orleans-based artist was responsible for some of that city’s finest music. He made his recording debut, as Smiling Lewis, in 1947, but his strongest work appeared during the 50s. ‘The B Read more