Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson -->A student of classical piano for most of his life, Eric Johnson began playing guitar at age 11. Later he joined an experimental rock group, Mariani, whose popularity gained them concert appearances with national recording acts. At age 19, he went on to become a member of The Electromagnets, a group whose distinct jazz/fusion influences helped make their 1975 independent release a national hit.

Johnson meanwhile, began landing a series of prestigious session gigs, including work with fellow Texan Christopher Cross, Carol King, and Cat Stevens. Between jobs he continued to write original material and appeared throughout the Lone Star State with his band, The Eric Johnson Group.

His incendiary blend of rock, R&B and melodic fusion eventually earned him a major recording deal with Warner Brothers Records. Eric Johnson recorded "Tones" in 1985, "Ah Via Musicom" (my personal favorite) in 1990, and "Venus Isle" released on September 17, 1996. Recently two older recordings have been released from when Eric was just starting out. "The Electromagnets" and "Seven Worlds". Both are EXCELLENT and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and really show what an amazing player he was at a very early age.

Of the three later releases, "Ah Via Musicom" is the most approachable and Eric Johnsons tone and technique are unique and immediately reconizable. Eric Johnson live is wonderful to listen to, his tone and sound are amazingly clean, but his stage presence leaves a lot to be desired. (I have since revised my feelings on his stage presence!!! See House Of Blues Review!!)

Eric Johnson recently played the House Of Blues here in Orlando Florida (September 30, 1997) and I have added live pictures and a review of the show.

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