Living Legends Foundation, Music Exec Dies at 76 – Billboard

Varnell Harris Johnson, who held senior government roles at Capitol-EMI, Blue Be aware, Jive, Island, Elektra Data and extra all through his profession in music and who was president of the Dwelling Legends Basis, has died. He was 76.

Johnson — or “VJ,” as his friends knew him — handed away on Wednesday (June 21) at 6 p.m. ET of congestive coronary heart failure, Billboard has discovered.

Johnson has been credited for recruiting a number of Black executives, together with many ladies, into key music business positions. He had an ear for expertise and had a hand in bringing Tina Turner over to Capitol Data as a solo artist, and introduced the Isley Brothers with him from Elektra to Island. Together with his information of how influential gospel music was to the group, he helped set up the gospel-focused Verity Data.

“It is a main loss,” says David C. Linton, buddy of Johnson and chairman of the Dwelling Legends Basis. “On the time he broke into the business, he was in a position to work in each side of the enterprise. Varnell was one of many first Black executives to have complete autonomy throughout the label system. He not solely signed some nice artists, however he additionally employed different Black executives and molded so lots of our careers. He had a variety of ‘firsts’ in his profession. He was at all times caring, he promoted ladies, and you may at all times name him for recommendation – he was that nice hyperlink.”

Dwelling Legends Basis vice chairman Jacqueline Rhinehart, a advertising and marketing skilled, remembers him as “the quintessential file man. He was a straight shooter and somebody who was nice at sustaining relationships in any respect ranges of the business … He by no means misplaced his function as an influencer — it wasn’t reliant on what job he held at what label.”

“He was a folks particular person, an excellent particular person to know,” Ray Harris, a veteran file promotion government and a founding member of the Dwelling Legends Basis, says. “And I’ve such a deep appreciation for him as a result of he acquired on board with the Dwelling Legends Basis proper from the start. The group grew considerably because of his participation and management. He was at all times a voice of frequent sense, knowledge, and calm, and we’re going to overlook that voice.”

Johnson was born in Philadelphia. He performed soccer and basketball at Simon Gratz Excessive College and graduated at 16. He then enlisted within the Military at 17, serving as a fight medic within the Vietnam Conflict. Following an honorable discharge, he went to Temple College and graduated with a advertising and marketing and promoting diploma. Harold Childs, a Philadelphia neighbor, influenced Johnson to get into the music enterprise.

His profession in music began as a gofer at A&L Report Distributors earlier than turning into common supervisor for Philly Groove Data. His was then employed as a advertising and marketing/promotion director at GMC, which led to him touchdown at EMI/United Artists’ newly shaped R&B division in Los Angeles in 1979.

Johnson moved to dad or mum firm Capitol Data as vice chairman of A&R, working with artists together with René & Angela, A Style of Honey, Maze that includes Frankie Beverly, George Clinton, Freddie Jackson, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Tina Turner and Ashford & Simpson. His subsequent gig, as vice chairman of promotion and advertising and marketing at Capitol’s Manhattan/Blue Be aware Data division, introduced him again to the East Coast. There, he labored with Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Phyllis Hyman, The O’Jays and Shirley Jones.

Johnson was employed as vice chairman of selling and promotion at Jive Data in 1992. He labored with R. Kelly, A Tribe Referred to as Quest, KRS One and Aaliyah at Jive. Subsequent, he made his mark at Elektra Data, the place he served as vice chairman and labored with Keith Sweat, Kut Klose and Ron Isley, after which was provided the place of senior vice chairman and common supervisor for Island Data’ Black music division; the Isley Brothers adopted him, becoming a member of a roster with Dru Hill, Karen Clark Sheard and Kelly Worth.

Johnson went on to run Junes Leisure Inc., his personal consulting agency, and most lately resided in New Jersey. He’s survived by his spouse Darlene, son Varnell, (nicknamed “June”) and daughter Tracey.

Funeral preparations shall be introduced at a later date.