Eric Johnson (musician)

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Eric Johnson (2007)

Eric Johnson (* 17th August 1954 in Austin , Texas ) is an American rock - guitarist and singer .

Career

Johnson's career began in 1968 with his band Mariani . Demos of their first recordings are now reaching collector's prices. He appeared on numerous recordings as a studio guitarist, including with Cat Stevens , Carole King and Christopher Cross . In the early 1970s he joined the rock jazz band The Electromagnets, led by drummer Bill Maddox . Johnson recorded his first solo album Seven Worlds in 1978, but it was not released until years later. His first release is the 1986 album Tones . In 1992 he won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for his top 5 hit Cliffs Of Dover . After the release of the album Ah Via Musicom , which was released at the time, at the end of the year he received the most important award from the specialist magazine GuitarPlayer , namely Best Guitarist Overall . In 1996 Johnson took part in the G3 concert series with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai . In addition to his main instrument, the guitar, Johnson also plays the piano.

Style of play

Eric Johnson is best known for his instrumental, guitar-driven music. His guitar sound is characterized by the use of numerous effects devices and is slightly violin-like. His playing is characterized by a perfect legato technique of the grip hand. What should be emphasized is his so-called "bounce technique", which gives him a fuller tone and which he explains in his instructional videos. He often uses pentatonic scales in his solos . His style is melodic and is characterized by the singability of many solos, alternating with longer, fast scale runs. The anecdote is circulating about Johnson that he can hear what type of batteries are in his effect devices.

equipment

His main instruments are a signature model of the Fender Stratocaster built to his specifications , which is based on his original 1957 Stratocaster, original 50s Strats and a Gibson ES-335 , which he plays over Marshall amplifiers and Fender amplifiers. In January 2018, Fender introduced a new semi-acoustic signature guitar on the Namm Show.

Discography

Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Albums
Ah via Musicom
  US 67 04/27/1991 (60 weeks)
Venus Isle
  US 51 09/21/1996 (6 weeks)
G3 - Live In Concert (with Joe Satriani & Steve Vai )
  DE 92 06/09/1997 (1 week)
  UK 82 06/07/1997 (2 weeks)
  US 108 06/21/1997 (3 weeks)
  • 1975 Electromagnets
  • 1986 Tones
  • 1990 Ah Via Musicom
  • 1996 Venus Isle
  • 1997 G3 Live - recording of the first G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai
  • 1998 Seven Worlds
  • 2000 Alien Love Child (Live And Beyond)
  • 2003 souvenir
  • 2005 Bloom
  • 2005 Live from Austin TX
  • 2010 Up Close
  • 2013 Up Close: Another Look
  • 2014 Eclectic - with Mike Stern
  • 2016 EJ
  • 2017 collage

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Chart sources: DE UK US
personal data
SURNAME Johnson, Eric
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American fusion and rock guitarist and singer
DATE OF BIRTH 17th August 1954
PLACE OF BIRTH Austin , Texas