Living Legends Foundation, Music Exec Dies at 76 – Billboard

Varnell Harris Johnson, who held senior govt roles at Capitol-EMI, Blue Note, Jive, Island, Elektra Records and extra all through his profession in music and who was president of the Living Legends Foundation, 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 Records as a solo artist, and introduced the Isley Brothers with him from Elektra to Island. With his information of how influential gospel music was to the group, he helped set up the gospel-focused Verity Records.

“This is a major loss,” says David C. Linton, pal of Johnson and chairman of the Living Legends Foundation. “At the time he broke into the industry, he was able to work in every aspect of the business. Varnell was one of the first Black executives to have total autonomy within the label system. He not only signed some great artists, but he also hired other Black executives and molded so many of our careers. He had a lot of ‘firsts’ in his career. He was always caring, he promoted women, and you could always call him for advice – he was that great link.”

Living Legends Foundation vice chairman Jacqueline Rhinehart, a advertising skilled, remembers him as “the quintessential record man. He was a straight shooter and someone who was great at maintaining relationships at all levels of the industry … He never lost his role as an influencer — it wasn’t reliant on what job he held at what label.”

“He was a people person, a good person to know,” Ray Harris, a veteran document promotion govt and a founding member of the Living Legends Foundation, says. “And I have such a deep appreciation for him because he got on board with the Living Legends Foundation right from the beginning. The organization grew substantially thanks to his participation and leadership. He was always a voice of common sense, wisdom, and calm, and we’re going to miss that voice.”

Johnson was born in Philadelphia. He performed soccer and basketball at Simon Gratz High School and graduated at 16. He then enlisted within the Army at 17, serving as a fight medic within the Vietnam War. Following an honorable discharge, he went to Temple University and graduated with a advertising 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 Record Distributors earlier than turning into normal supervisor for Philly Groove Records. His was then employed as a advertising/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 mother or father firm Capitol Records as vice chairman of A&R, working with artists together with René & Angela, A Taste of Honey, Maze that includes Frankie Beverly, George Clinton, Freddie (*76*), Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Tina Turner and Ashford & Simpson. His subsequent gig, as vice chairman of promotion and advertising at Capitol’s Manhattan/Blue Note Records 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 Records in 1992. He labored with R. Kelly, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS One and Aaliyah at Jive. Next, he made his mark at Elektra Records, the place he served as vice chairman and labored with Keith Sweat, Kut Klose and Ron Isley, after which was supplied the place of senior vice chairman and normal supervisor for Island Records’ Black music division; the Isley Brothers adopted him, becoming a member of a roster with Dru Hill, Karen Clark Sheard and Kelly Price.

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

Funeral preparations will probably be introduced at a later date.