Smokey Johnson

Who is Smokey Johnson?

Joseph "Smokey" Johnson is an American drummer. He is one of the musicians, session players, and songwriters who have served as the backbone for New Orleans' output of jazz, funk, blues, soul, and R&B music.

Johnson was raised in Treme, where he attended Craig School and Clark High School. He played trombone before switching to drums at age 12. Around age 17 he began playing in local dance clubs.

Johnson served as the drummer for Fats Domino in the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1961, Johnson and Wardell Quezergue worked together on the session for Earl King's proto-funk classic, "Trick Bag", produced by Dave Bartholomew.

Soon thereafter, Johnson went with Quezergue and childhood friend Joe Jones, and several other New Orleans artists to audition for Motownin Detroit, where they recorded numerous demo sessions. Earl King once remarked that at least part of the reason why they got in the door was Motown's fascination with Smokey Johnson, who could do more on a trap set by himself than any two of the label's session drummers. Although Motown ended up not signing any of the New Orleans artists, Johnson offered to remain on staff while the other New Orleans artists were dispatched.