Kelly Johnson (guitarist)
Kelly Johnson (born June 20, 1958 in London ; † July 15, 2007 there ) was a singer, guitarist and founding member of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Girlschool .
Musical career
Kelly Johnson grew up in London. She discovered her interest in music at Edmonton County School in North London. At 19, she joined the band Painted Lady , which renamed itself Girlschool in 1978. With Girlschool Johnson recorded four albums, several singles and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre - EP (a collaboration with Motörhead on).
In 1984 Johnson left girl school and moved to Los Angeles to join The Runaways bassist Vicki Blue. She learned sign language in America and worked with the deaf . In the 10 years that she spent in America, she tried to get back into the music business without success. Just as she was unable to start a solo career, she succeeded in founding a new group with ex- Painted Lady and Go-Go’s member Kathy Valentine.
In 1993 she returned to England and to girl school. The band toured for seven years and released several live albums. Kelly Johnson can be heard for the last time on the album 21st Anniversary - Not That Innocent , which despite the name only contained new material. In 2001 she left the band when she was diagnosed with a bone tumor. In 2007 she succumbed to this disease.
Web links
- Kelly Johnson Eulogy girlschool.co.uk
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Johnson, Kelly |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 20, 1958 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | London |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 15, 2007 |
| Place of death | London |