Jellybean Johnson, the original drummer for Prince's band the Time, has died at age 69. His passing was confirmed by fellow musician Sheila E., a close friend and collaborator, though the specific cause remains undisclosed. The announcement came shortly after Johnson celebrated his birthday.
Sheila E. expressed profound sorrow upon learning of his death, describing him as a kind, funny, and exceptionally talented individual who was also a skilled guitar player. She recalled meeting him during a Prince tour around the early 1980s and remembered visiting the set for the Ice Cream Castles video shoot.
Born in Chicago and raised in Minneapolis, Johnson began formal drum lessons as a teenager and later learned guitar independently. Following the Time's dissolution, he built a successful career with Flyte Tyme Productions, contributing as a producer and songwriter for artists such as Janet Jackson and Alexander O'Neal.
Sheila E. expressed profound sorrow upon learning of his death, describing him as a kind, funny, and exceptionally talented individual who was also a skilled guitar player. She recalled meeting him during a Prince tour around the early 1980s and remembered visiting the set for the Ice Cream Castles video shoot.
Born in Chicago and raised in Minneapolis, Johnson began formal drum lessons as a teenager and later learned guitar independently. Following the Time's dissolution, he built a successful career with Flyte Tyme Productions, contributing as a producer and songwriter for artists such as Janet Jackson and Alexander O'Neal.
