Johnny Adams Similar Artists

Bobby Charles - 95% 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 - 62% 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

Joe Tex - 57% 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

O.V. Wright - 50% match to Johnny Adams

Overton Vertis Wright, 9 October 1939, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, d. 16 November 1980, USA. One of deep soul’s most impressive stylists, O.V. Wright’s first recordings were in the gospel tradition and it was while a member of the Harmony Echoes that he became acquainted with Roosevelt Jamison. This aspiring songwriter penned the singer’s secular debut, ‘Tha Read more

Little Willie John - 48% match to Johnny Adams

The Impressions - 48% match to Johnny Adams

Formed in Chicago in 1957 and originally known as the Roosters, this group comprised Jerry Butler (8 December 1939, Sunflower, Mississippi, USA), Curtis Mayfield (b. 3 June 1942, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 26 December 1999), Sam Gooden (b. 2 September 1939, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA), and brothers Richard Brooks and Arthur Brooks (both born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA). Read more

Professor Longhair - 46% 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

Joe Simon - 45% 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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Syl Johnson - 44% match to Johnny Adams

Sylvester Thompson, 1 July 1936, Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA. Johnson was the youngest of three children and his family moved to Chicago during the late 40s. An elder brother, Mac Thompson, played bass with the Magic Sam Blues Band. Having learned guitar and harmonica, Johnson began frequenting the city’s southside blues clubs, playing alongside Howlin’ Wolf, M Read more

Esther Phillips - 40% match to Johnny Adams

Esther Mae Jones, 23 December 1935, Galveston, Texas, USA, d. 7 August 1984, Carson, California, USA. This distinctive vocalist was discovered by band leader Johnny Otis. She joined his revue in 1949 where, performing as Little Esther, the teenage singer recorded two number 1 R&B singles, ‘Double Crossing Blues’ and ‘Mistrustin’ Blues’. She then Read more

Little Esther - 40% match to Johnny Adams

Lou Johnson - 40% match to Johnny Adams

1941, USA. A singer in the mould of Ben E. King, Johnson was a former member of the Zionettes. Their single ‘Talking About The Man’ enjoyed sufficient local interest to prompt his solo ambitions. Signed to the Big Top/Big Hill group of labels, Johnson recorded a series of superb Burt Bacharach / Hal David compositions, including ‘Reach Out For Me’ (1963) Read more

Bobby "Blue" Bland - 38% 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

Johnnie Taylor - 38% match to Johnny Adams

5 May 1938, Crawfordsville, Arkansas, USA, d. 31 May 2000, Dallas, Texas, USA. Having left home at the age of 15, Taylor surfaced as part of several gospel groups, including the Five Echoes and the Highway QCs. In 1956 he joined the Soul Stirrers, replacing Sam Cooke on the latter’s recommendation. Taylor switched to secular music in 1961; releases on Cooke’s Sar a Read more

Allen Toussaint - 34% 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