Johnny Heartsman

Johnny Heartsman
Heartsman in 1991
Heartsman in 1991
Background information
Birth nameJohnnie Eastman Jr.
Also known asJohn Leroy Heartsman
Born(1936-02-09)February 9, 1936
Houston, Texas, United States
OriginSan Fernando, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 1996(1996-12-27) (aged 60)
Sacramento, California, United States
GenresElectric blues, soul blues[1]
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician, arranger
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass guitar, flute, keyboards, guitar
Years active1953–1996
LabelsAlligator Records

John Leroy "Johnny" Heartsman (February 9, 1936 – December 27, 1996)[2] was an American electric blues and soul blues musician and songwriter.[1] He showed musical diversity, playing a number of musical instruments, including the electronic organ and flute. He contributed his distinctive guitar playing to a number of recordings made in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950s and 1960s. He continued playing until his death.[1]

His best-known recording, "Johnny's House Party", was an R&B hit in 1957.[3] Other notable tracks recorded by Heartsman are "Paint My Mailbox Blue" and "Heartburn". He variously worked with Jimmy McCracklin, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Big Mama Thornton, Ray Agee, Jimmy Wilson, Johnny Fuller, Al King, Tiny Powell and Joe Simon.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Dahl. Bill. "Johnny Heartsman: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  2. ^ Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 402. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Whitburn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Herzhaft, Gérard; et al. (1997). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press. pp. 81–82. ISBN 1-55728-452-0.