Garry “Jellybean” Johnson — a cornerstone of the funk-rock-soul ensemble The Time and one of the pioneers of the Minneapolis Sound — has died at age 69. His family confirmed that Johnson passed away suddenly on Friday night. The specific cause of death has not yet been disclosed. TMZ
Johnson’s musical journey began as the founding drummer of The Time — later known as Morris Day & The Time and then The Original 7ven — a group closely associated with Prince and part of the vibrant Minneapolis Sound movement of the late 1970s and 1980s. TMZ
Beyond his drumming, Johnson had a diverse and influential career. He was a member of the Prince-formed band The Family, appeared (in a fictionalized form of himself) in the 1984 film Purple Rain, and had a hand in producing artist Janet Jackson’s 1990 No. 1 hit “Black Cat”. TMZ
Johnson also co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum with his wife Marty Bragg and her daughter, a project dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and legacy of the Minneapolis Sound. TMZ
He had just turned 69 this week and is remembered by peers and fans alike as a creative force, a friend, and a beloved figure in his community. Johnson’s legacy will endure through the music he made and the rhythms he laid down that helped define an era.
We extend heartfelt condolences to Johnson’s family, friends and fans during this time of mourning.
If you like, I can create a long-form tribute article that dives deeper into his early years, his impact on the Minneapolis music scene, and reflections from peers. Would you like that
