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Johnny Jackson We'll Miss You

Anyone who was fortunate enough to see a live concert by the original Jackson 5 in their heyday witnessed the solid and incessant drumming of Johnny Jackson. Before the actual Jackson 5 would make their dramatic entrance Johnny and Ronnie (keyboardist Roderick Rancifer)would get the crowd going with the funk/march strains of "Stand". It was a decidely unique rendering of the Sly Stone classic that routinely (for at least 4 years) harkened the "arrival" of the Jackson 5 to your town and your arena. After about 2 minutes of Johnny's drums and Ronnie's organ Jermaine and Tito would strap on their "axes" (bass & guitar respectively) and launch into the tune, and the show in earnest. By that time Michael, Marlon & Jackie would have danced their way to the mics to deliver the opening harmony notes of "Stand". The crowd would scream for the entire show. A Jackson 5 concert (1968 - 1972) was truly a rare treat in the music world. Johnny Jackson was largely responsible for anchoring the groove that sent concert goers into a screaming, dancing frenzy. I saw Johnny a year or so ago as he was dismantling his drums after playing a children's concert at a Gary Community Center (Youth Family Community Renewal Center). I complimented him on his drum beat to "Stand" from his J5 days. I then asked him to "teach me that beat". Without hesitation he pulled out his drum wrenches and motioned to reassemble his drumset. I told him, "that's alright Johnny. But I used to love that sound". He thanked me and told me "I'll set this whole drumset back up if you really want to learn that beat." I thanked him and declined, but he would have been more than happy to oblige had I pressed the issue. I believe he was just glad that someone remembered. Rest in Peace, Johnny. Theo "the Thinker" McClendon author, producer, thinker Gary, Indiana Johnny Jackson was a much underestimated drummer. He was an asset to the Jackson sound and an embassador for the Motown Sound in general.

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