Remembering Varnell Johnson
• The Living Legends Foundation (LLF) is saddened to announce the passing of its President, veteran music executive Varnell Harris Johnson, who died Wednesday, June 21 of congestive heart failure; he was 76. Over the course of his storied career, “VJ,” as Johnson was affectionately known, held senior executive roles at Capitol-EMI, Blue Note, Jive, Island, Elektra Records and more, working with an array of successful R&B, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and gospel acts.
During his tenure as President of the Living Legends Foundation, Johnson expanded its membership and reach, and helped oversee the organization’s star-studded 30th-anniversary awards and fundraising gala in October 2022. Known as an executive whose vision and leadership produced results, he was honored by the LLF with the Chairman’s Award in 2017.
“This is a major loss,” says David C. Linton, Chairman of the Living Legends Foundation, PD of WCLK (Jazz 91.9)/Atlanta and a close personal friend. “At the time Varnell 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.”
Indeed, Johnson is credited by many for recruiting several Black executives, including many women, into key positions in the industry. He also played an unsung but essential role in bringing the late Tina Turner to Capitol Records as a solo artist after her break with Ike Turner. He also worked closely with Frankie Beverly & Maze, whose decision to record their first live set, 1980’s Live In New Orleans, earned the group its fifth gold album. Johnson’s relationship with The Isley Brothers was so strong that when he left Elektra for Island Records, the group jumped labels to continue working with him. Recognizing the impact and influence of gospel music among Black record buyers, Johnson also played a key role in establishing the Verity Records division while serving as Vice President at Jive/Zomba in 1994.
“He was the quintessential record man,” said Jacqueline Rhinehart, LLF Vice President. “He was a straight shooter and someone who was great at maintaining relationships at all levels of the industry.” She recalls that Johnson remained in contact with many of the artists he worked with over the years, speaking frequently with Ron Isley, Frankie Beverly, and Valerie Simpson. “He never lost his role as an influencer – it wasn’t reliant on what job he held at what label,” Rhinehart concludes.
Veteran promotion executive Ray Harris, a founding member of the Living Legends Foundation, remembers Johnson as an esteemed colleague who came out of an influential regional music market, Philadelphia, where the promotion people had a strong camaraderie, one that continued through smack-talking, shop-talking marathon card games at such annual conventions as the Jack The Rapper Family Affair and the Black Radio Exclusive conference. “He was a people person, a good person to know,” notes Harris, adding, “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.”
A Philadelphia native, Johnson attended Simon Gratz High School where he played football and basketball. He graduated at the age of 16. To get out of the neighborhood, he enlisted in the Army at 17 and served in the Vietnam War as a combat medic. After his honorable discharge, he graduated from Temple University with a degree in marketing and advertising. He credited fellow promotion man Harold Childs, a Philadelphia neighbor, with influencing his decision to pursue a career in the recording industry. After a stint as a gofer at A&L Record Distributors, Varnell quickly became General Manager for Philly Groove Records. He was then hired as East Coast Marketing/Promotion Director by Oscar Fields, the VP/GM at GRC, working with acts including Brass Construction, War, and Enchantment. His success in that role led him to be hired in 1979 as GM for the newly formed R&B Music division at EMI/United Artists in Los Angeles, working with R&B, jazz, and funk acts including Ronnie Laws, Melba Moore, Noel Pointer, George Clinton, Earl Klugh, War, Switch and many others. He then moved to parent company Capitol Records as VP of A&R, working with René & Angela, A Taste of Honey, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Freddie Jackson, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Tina Turner, and Ashford & Simpson.
In 1984, Johnson relocated to the East Coast as VP of Promotion & Marketing at Capitol’s jazz-oriented Manhattan/Blue Note Records division, where he worked his magic with such artists as Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Phyllis Hyman, The O’Jays, and Shirley Jones. In 1992, Jive Records President Barry Weiss hired Johnson as VP of Marketing and Promotion to work with R. Kelly, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS One, and Aaliyah, among others. A move to Elektra Records as Executive Vice President later that year found him working with Keith Sweat, Kut Klose, and Ronald Isley. When he was offered the position as SVP/GM of Island Records’ Black music division, he took it, bringing along the Isley Brothers from Elektra and polishing the trajectories of Dru Hill, Karen Clark Sheard, Kelly Price, and others. After his storied career at major record companies, Johnson continued to offer his extensive expertise via his own consulting firm, Junes Entertainment Inc.
David Linton added, “We define a legend as someone who made an impact. Varnell opened the door for others, he continued to break stereotypes and prove that, given the opportunity, Black executives can shine. Varnell was a legend. The impact he had on our industry and our culture is indelible.”
Johnson is survived by his wife Darlene, son Varnell, (nicknamed “June”), and daughter Tracey. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
