Howard Johnson (soul singer)

Howard Williams Johnson (born November 28, 1956, in Miami, Florida)[1] is a former American soul/disco singer, and founder of the group Niteflyte.[2] He charted two songs on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart during the 1980s – "So Fine", which spent one week at No. 1 in 1982, and "Let This Dream Be Real," which reached No. 19 in 1983.

For other people named Howard Johnson, see Howard Johnson (disambiguation).

Howard Johnson
Born (1956-11-28) November 28, 1956
Miami, Florida, United States
GenresSoul, disco, urban, boogie
Years active1977–present
LabelsA&M Records

Career

R&B vocalist Howard Johnson started out in Miami, performing in local bars and clubs until the appearance of a life-changing business contact. That was Sandy Torano, a guitarist and producer associated with performers such as the Commodores and Phyllis Hyman. Johnson was his choice for a new vocalist and thus began the singer's recording career in 1977, as the group Niteflyte under Ariola records. The project lasted for only two albums but A&M later signed Johnson to a solo contract.[2]

A trio of close associates; Kashif, Paul Laurence Jones, and Morris Brown produced Keepin' Love New (1982), Johnson's first album. Both "So Fine" and the title track did very well in the UK Singles Chart.[3] The singer recorded two more albums for the label: Doin' It My Way (1983), produced by the System, and The Vision (1985), some of which was handled by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. In 1986 Johnson recorded the ballad "Perfect Timing" with singer Donna Allen which appeared on her debut album of the same name.[2][1] In 1989, the singer returned to A&M as part of the duo Johnson & Branson with Regis Branson.

Throughout the 1990s, Johnson did not record any new albums. He returned in the new millennium collaborating again with Regis Branson. He released Packed and Waitin' on Soul Japan Records in 2002. Roughly a decade later, Johnson's A&M albums were reissued by the Netherlands' PTG label.[2]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album Peak chart positions
US
[4]		 US R&B
[4]
1982 Keepin' Love New 122 —
1983 Doin' It My Way[5] — 61
1985 The Vision — 46
1989 Johnson and Branson
(with Regis Branson)		 — —
2002 Packed and Waitin'
(Japan only, with Regis Branson)		 — —
2010 Howard Johnson — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilations
  • Howard Johnson – Doin' It My Way / The Vision (2007)

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US Dance
[6]		 US R&B
[6][7]		 UK
[8]
1982 "So Fine" 1 6 45 Keepin' Love New
"Say You Wanna" — — —
"Keepin' Love New" — 47 —
1983 "Let This Dream Be Real" 19 58 — Doin' It My Way
"Let's Take Time Out" — 30 —
1985 "Knees" — — — The Vision
"Older Girl" — — —
"Stand Up" — 29 91
1986 "Perfect Timing" (with Donna Allen) — — — Perfect Timing
(by Donna Allen)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References
  1. "Howard Johnson Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  2. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Artist Biography: Howard Johnson". AMG. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 286. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. "Howard Johnson - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  5. "Howard Johnson – Doin It My Way CD". CD Universe. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
  6. "Howard Johnson Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2006). The Billboard Book of TOP 40 R&B and Hip Hop Hits. New York: Billboard Books. p. 296. ISBN 9780823082834.
  8. "HOWARD JOHNSON - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
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