Artist:Michael Johnson
Song:Bluer Than Blue
Album:Rock On 1978
The 1978 single Bluer Than Blue was the biggest hit and most memorable song in the long and varied career of Michael Johnson. This song topped the Adult Contemporary chart. Johnson also had country music success in the 80s. He was born Aug. 8, 1944 in Alamosa, CO and he grew up in Denver. Johnson was studying music at Colorado State College when he won a talent contest that included a record deal with Epic. After one unsuccessful single, Johnson moved to Barcelona, Spain to study classical guitar at the Liceu Conservatory. When he returned to the US, Johnson joined former New Christy Minstrels leader Randy Sparks in the group New Society for a tour. When that was over, Johnson joined The Chad Mitchell Trio and wrote songs with John Denver. Then he was in the off-Broadway production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Johnson signed with Atco Records and released the 1973 album There Is a Breeze produced by Peter Yarrow. Not only did the album not sell but Johnson was unhappy with it. He released his next two albums on his own Sanskrit label. He was happy with the albums but Johnson realized that he needed to be on a major label. So he went to Nashville and recorded a demo with producer Brett Maher and guitarist Steve Gibson. He signed with EMI America and released the 1978 album The Michael Johnson Album. Bluer Than Blue was the first single and it reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. Bluer Than Blue was written by veteran Nashville songwriter Randy Goodrum. He wrote Anne Murray's 1978 chart topper You Needed Me. Johnson recorded five albums for EMI America without further success. You can get Bluer Than Blue on this various artists budget comp. Maher was producing country singer Sylvia and he suggested Johnson record a duet with her. When the single I Love You By Heart was a top ten country hit, that got Johnson a record deal with RCA. He recorded two albums for RCA. He had success with the first one, But the second one stiffed and he left RCA and released albums on Atlantic and Vanguard. And that was pretty much the end for Johnson. He recorded for a couple of small labels. His final album was released in 2012. Michael Johnson died on July 25, 2017 at age 72. Here's the video for Bluer Than Blue by Michael Johnson.
Thank-you so much Frank. One of his songs, I know it is not an original by him. But he recorded it and sang it, "What a Beautiful Night." is one of my all time favorite songs. I cannot remember who did the song originally. I think it was Nat King Cole. But I love that song a lot. His other song Bluer than blue is a good song to. Thank-you so much for the bio Frank. David.
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