Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BRISTOL, Johnny

(b 3 Feb. '39, Morgantown NC) Soul singer, songwriter, producer, arranger. Began after service in USAF as half of Johnny & Jackey, boy/girl duo with Jackey Beavers, recording for Tri-Phi label owned by Gwen Gordy (sister of Berry) and husband Harvey Fuqua. Beaver left when Tri-Phi was taken over by Motown; Bristol was Fuqua's assistant, then partner in prod./writing for Edwin Starr, David Ruffin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, others. Bristol wasted nothing; first two Johnny & Jackey singles were recycled: 'Someday We'll Be Together' by Diana Ross and the Supremes (no. 1 '69), 'Do You See My Love (For You Growing)' twice by Junior Walker (first single for Tri-Phi, then no. 32 hit '70). Bristol had persuaded Fuqua to take an interest in Walker '62, later toned down the rough'n'ready sound of veteran Motown saxophonist to give him no. 4 hit 'What Does It Take To Win Your Love' '69 (Walker's first top ten since '65). Left Motown '73 when label moved to West Coast, became prod. for Columbia; worked with Buddy Miles, Boz Scaggs (Slow Dancer '74), O. C. Smith, Jerry Butler (for Mercury). When Columbia rejected him as vocalist, took dusted-off talents to MGM for Hang On In There Baby '74, the title track in vogueish Barry White vein top ten USA/UK. Bristol Creme '76 (on Atlantic in USA) and Free To Be Me '81 (Hansa) were predictably seamless but not as successful. Continued prod. in soul field with first Tavares LP Check It Out '74, venturing into MOR with Johnny Mathis and Tom Jones.