1. Lonnie Johnson: A Blues Guitarist
By: Westley Rowe
African American History

2. Early Life Born Feb. 8, 1899 in New Orleans, LA Family of musicians
Studied violin, piano, and guitar as a child
Played in a band with his family members

3. Not to be confused…
With Lonnie Johnson, inventor of everyone’s favorite childhood weapon…the Super Soaker!

5. Career Performed on riverboats as a duo with his brother
Won a blue contest at the Booker T. Washington Theatre, earning a recording contract
Recorded as a guest with musicians such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
Recorded for Decca Records and Bluebird Records
Intermittently went from music to other menial jobs throughout his life
Essentially Invented the guitar solo, a major part of rock and blues music today

6. Album Covers

7. More Pictures

8. Later Life Later in life, Johnson mainly played at small blues clubs
He was hit by a car in Toronto in March 1969 and suffered hip and kidney injuries, which he never fully recovered from
He had a stroke in August of 1969
He died poor and alone on June 16, 1970

9. References
Public. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from
Links to pictures