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General Norman Johnson
Norfolk
Beach/R & B
This R & B
giant, born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, got an early
start in the music industry when he began singing in his
church choir at the age of six. He formed his first group –
The Humdingers – at the tender age of 12. A few short years
later, while still in high school, Johnson teamed with
musicians from his neighborhood to form The Showmen, a group
that would carry him to the top of the charts. The Showmen
signed with the New Orleans-based Minit Records in 1961 and
went on to record the rock and roll homage “It Will Stand”
the same year, followed by a series of such hits as
“39-21-40 Shape.” They enjoyed steady gigs on the East Coast
Beach Music circuit throughout the 1960s.
Johnson
left the Showmen in 1968 and made his way to MoTown, where
he joined former Showman Danny Woods and others to lend his
distinctive vocal style as lead singer of the Chairmen of
the Board, punching out the number three single “Give me
Just a Little More Time” in 1969.
The General
returned to the East Coast Beach Music Circuit in the 1980s
and released the album “What Goes Around Comes Around” in
1993, having lost little of his distinctive vocal style.
In
recognition of the contributions that Johnson has made to
American popular music, the Virginia General Assembly
designated June 9, 2001 as General Johnson Day in Virginia.
IT WILL STAND
The Showmen
Rock Roll, Rock Roll
You take some music, music
Sweet flowin' music
Some movin' and groovin'
Rock and roll will stand
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