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Johnny Bristol

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Johnny Bristol
Birth nameJohn William Bristol
BornFebruary 3, 1939
Morganton, North Carolina,U.S.
DiedMarch 21, 2004(2004-03-21)(aged 65)
Brighton Township, Michigan,U.S
GenresR&B,soul
Occupation(s)Singer,songwriter,record producer
Years active1959–1993
LabelsMotown,MGM,Ariola/Hansa,Atlantic

John William Bristol(February 3, 1939 – March 21, 2004)[1]was an Americanmusician,most famous as asongwriterandrecord producerfor theMotownlabel in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was a native ofMorganton, North Carolina,about which he wrote an eponymous song. His composition "Love Me for a Reason"saw global success when covered bythe Osmondsincluding a number one on the UK charts in 1974.[1]His most famous solo recording was "Hang On in There Baby"recorded in 1974, which reached the top ten in the United States and number 3 in the United Kingdom.[2][3]Both singles were in the UK top 5 simultaneously.

Motown producer

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Bristol first came to local attention in theDetroitarea as a member of thesoulduoJohnny & Jackey withJackey Beavers,[1]an associate Bristol met while in theUS Air Force.[4]The pairrecordedtwosinglesin 1959 forAnna Records,a label owned by Gwen Gordy (Berry Gordy'ssister) and Billy Davis and four 45s for Gwen Gordy andHarvey Fuqua's Tri-Phi label, none of which were a success beyond theMidwestern United States.

In the mid-1960s, Motown had absorbed Tri-Phi and Bristol began working with Fuqua as a songwriter and producer.[4]Amongst their successes as producers werehit singles:Marvin GayeandTammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"(1967),"Your Precious Love"(1967), and"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"(1968);Edwin Starr's "Twenty-Five Miles"(1969); andDavid Ruffin's "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)"(1969).[4]

Bristol flourished at Motown working with some of the label's best-selling acts. His producer and/or writer credits includedthe Velvelettes' "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You"(1966);Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want to Do Wrong" (1971) and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (1973); andJr. Walker & the All Stars,who charted with a number of Bristol-written singles and albums, including "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)"(1969)," Gotta Hold On to This Feeling "(1970)," Way Back Home "(1971) and" Walk in the Night "(1971).[4]One of his last successes wasJermaine Jackson's first solo record, "That's How Love Goes" (1972).

Notably, Bristol was the producer and co-writer of the final singles for bothDiana Ross & the SupremesandSmokey Robinson & the Miracles,before each group lost its namesake leadsinger.[4]While the Miracles' "We've Come Too Far to End It Now"(1972) was an original, the Supremes'"Someday We'll Be Together"(1969) was a remake of a Johnny & Jackey single from 1961.[5]Bristol is the malevoiceon the Supremes' version of "Someday We'll Be Together", singing response toDiana Ross' lead vocal.[5](Ross actually recorded the song as her initial solo release withsession singersthe Waters Sisters.)

Producer and solo performer

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Bristol left Motown in 1973 to joinCBSas a producer.[4]He worked with a number of emerging singers that includedRandy Crawford,for whom Bristol wroteCaught in Love's Triangle,as well as producing and writing for established performers such as:Tom Jones,Marlena Shaw,Johnny Mathis,Jerry ButlerandBoz Scaggs.In 1974 he wrote and producedLa La Peace Songrecorded by bothAl WilsonandO.C.Smith.Bristol's vocals are featured on the Al Wilson version.

Now in his early 30s, he was anxious to resume his own recording career, and when CBS/Columbia showed little enthusiasm he signed arecording contractwithMGM.[4]At MGM, Bristol recorded two successfulalbumsHang On in There BabyandFeeling the Magicand charted with several singles, notably "Hang On in There Baby"(1974, number 8US Pop,[2]number 2 US R&B chart and number 3UK),[3]"You and I" (1974, number 20US R&B),[2]"Leave My World" (1975, number 23 US R&B)[2]and "Do It to My Mind" (1976, number 5 US R&B). He also recorded the original version of "Love Me for a Reason",later a major hit forThe Osmonds.He was nominated for aGrammy Awardin 1975 forBest New Artist,ultimately losing out toMarvin Hamlisch.

Bristol then recorded two albums for Atlantic,Bristol's Creme(1976) andStrangers(1978). One track from the Atlantic period, "Strangers In The Dark Corners", has become popular on the European rare-soul scene. He maintained a parallel role as a producer during this period, working mainly for artists signed toColumbia Records,including Boz Scaggs. Bristol can be credited with creating Scaggs'blue-eyed soulsound for theSlow Danceralbum (1974). Bristol also producedTom Jones' 1975 album,Memories Don't Leave Like People Do,which included five covers of Bristol's songs, including the title track. He continued to be held in high regard as a producer, and some of the other acts with whom he worked included:Tavares,Margie Joseph,The Jackson Sistersand two duets with Linda Evans, “Sweet and Deep” and “Share with Me My Dream” on his 1981 album “Free to Be Me”.

Bristol's main market was inEuropeby the early 1980s. HisduetwithAmii Stewarton amedleyof "My Guy-My Girl"reached number 39 on theUK Singles Chartin 1980.[3]A deal for Ariola/Hansa saw him score withclubhitsLove No Longer Has a Hold on MeandTake Me Down.An accompanying album failed to consolidate his status, and it would be eight years before new product by Bristol appeared, with a 12 "singleI'm Just a Musicianfor Hansa. An affiliation in 1989 with theUKrecord labelMotorcity Recordswas brief,[5]but did result in one of Bristol's most popular releases,Man Up in the Sky,[1]and a cover of the Bristol-pennedWhat Does It Take to Win Your Love,originally a hit for Jr. Walker & the All Stars.

Bristol's last releases were a12 "singlein 1991 for Whichway Records,Come to Me,and an album,Life & Love,released for theJapanesemarket in 1993 by Blues Interactions (P-Vine Records). The latter includedEarth, Wind & Fire'sThat's the Way of the Worldas a duet with his daughter, Shanna J. Bristol. The album received a US release three years later under the titleCome To Me.

Bristol died in hisBrighton Township, Michigan,[1]home on 21 March 2004, ofnatural causes,at the age of 65.[6]

A comprehensive article on his career is contained in issue 51 of the musicmagazine,In the Basement.[7]

Bristol was inducted into theNorth Carolina Music Hall of Famein 2009.[8]

Personal life

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Bristol was married twice. His first marriage was to Maude Perry. They had two children. His second marriage was toIris Gordy.They had one child, Karla Gordy Bristol, who is aCity of Beverly HillsCommissioner.[9]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Title Chart positions
UK
[3][10] 		AUS
[11] 		US
[2] 		US R&B
[2]
1974 Hang On in There Baby 12 74 82 7
1975 Feeling the Magic — — — 29
1976 Bristol's Creme — — 154 43
1978 Strangers — — — —
1981 Free to Be Me — — — —
1993 Life & Love(retitledCome to Mefor 1995 US release) — — — —
"—" denotes the album failed to chart

Compilation albums

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Singles

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Year Title / Songwriter(s) Chart positions Certifications
UK
[3][10] 		AUS
[11] 		US Hot 100
[2] 		US R&B
[2] 		US Dance
[2]
1974 "Hang On in There Baby"(Bristol) 3 37 8 2 —
"Memories Don't Leave Like People Do"(Bristol) 52[A] — — — —
"You and I"(Bristol) — — 48 20 —
1975 "Leave My World"(Bristol) — — — 23 —
"Love Takes Tears"(Bristol) — — — 72 —
1976 "Do It to My Mind"(Bristol) — — 43 5 —
"I Sho' Like Groovin' with Ya"(Bristol) — — — 47 —
"You Turned Me on to Love"(Bristol) — — — 36 —
1978 "Waiting on Love"(Bristol) — — — 27 —
"When He Comes (You Will Know)"(Bristol) — — — — —
"Strangers in the Dark Corners"(Bristol) — — — — —
1979 "Hang On in There Baby"(duet with Alton McClain)(Bristol) — — — — —
1980 "My Guy-My Girl"(Robinson/White)
(duetwithAmii Stewart) 		39 — 63 76 —
"Love No Longer Has a Hold on Me"(Bristol/Powell) — — — 75 17
1981 "Take Me Down"(Pennington/Gray) — — — — —
"Sweet and Deep" w/Linda Evans — — — — —
"Share with Me My Dream" w/Linda Evans — — — — —
1989 "Man Up in the Sky" — — — — —
"I'm Just a Musician"(Powell/Glasco/Colby) — — — — —
1991 "Come to Me"(Thomas/Taylor) — — — — —
"—" denotes the single failed to chart

See also

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References

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  1. ^Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".
  1. ^abcdeWynn, Ron."Johnny Bristol | Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  2. ^abcdefghiWynn, Ron."Johnny Bristol | Awards".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon January 19, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  3. ^abcdeRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums(19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 78.ISBN1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^abcdefgColin Larkin,ed. (1993).The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.p. 26.ISBN0-85112-733-9.
  5. ^abc"Johnny Bristol".The Independent.March 25, 2004. Archived fromthe originalon April 7, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  6. ^Bill Dahl; Weldon A McDougall III (2001).Motown: The Golden Years.Krause. pp.216–8.ISBN0-87349-286-2.
  7. ^"In the Basement Magazine".June 21, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 26,2014.
  8. ^"2009 Inductees".North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.RetrievedSeptember 10,2012.
  9. ^"Arts and Culture Commission".Beverlyhills.org.RetrievedDecember 11,2023.
  10. ^ab"JOHNNY BRISTOL - full Official Chart History".Official Charts Company.RetrievedDecember 12,2021.
  11. ^abKent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 46.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
  12. ^"Johnny Bristol - Hang On in There Baby".bpi.co.uk.RetrievedJanuary 15,2022.
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