Robb Johnson

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Robb Johnson
RobbJohnson.jpg
Robb Johnson performing in Faversham in November 2007
Background information
Birth nameRobb Jenner Johnson
Born (1955-12-25) 25 December 1955 (age 68)
Isleworth, England
Genres Folk, punk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Labels Irregular Records
Website robbjohnson.com

Robb Jenner Johnson (born 25 December 1955) [1] [2] [3] is a British musician and songwriter who has been called "one of the last genuinely political songwriters". He is known for his mix of political satire and wit. [2] He has his own record label, Irregular Records, [4] and has released more than 40 albums since 1985, either solo or in several collaborations. [5] [6]

Contents

Biography

Johnson began his musical career playing in folk clubs in the 1970s. He ran a folk club at the University of Sussex, [2] before forming a band called Grubstreet, [1] which split up in 1983. Two years later, he made his first solo album, In Amongst the Rain, setting up his own label on which to release it, before forming an agitprop group, The Ministry of Humour, with Mark Shilcock and Graham Barnes. [4] After the break-up of this act and a failed attempt at forming a new electric band, [2] he returned to performing solo, and also formed a duo with female singer Pip Collings. [1]

In 1997, he composed the song cycle Gentle Men, based on the experiences of his grandfathers in the First World War. The song cycle was recorded by Johnson in collaboration with Roy Bailey, [7] and performed at the commemorative Passchendaele Peace Concert. [8] In 2006 he was a special guest at the BBC's "Folk Britannia" concert at the Barbican Centre, ending the night with a rendition of the World War I song "Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire". [9] He remains active and has released at least one album annually for over 20 years, as well as playing regular gigs, including benefits and political events. [2] [5]

In 2016, Johnson and a group billed as the Corbynistas released the single "JC 4 PM 4 Me" in support of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which was considered a contender for Christmas number one. [10] However, it did not chart. [11]

Discography

Albums

Johnson performing with his band The Irregulars at the Black Country Living Museum in 2009 RobbJohnson2009.jpg
Johnson performing with his band The Irregulars at the Black Country Living Museum in 2009
Johnson performing at the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally 2012 Robb Johnson, Tolpuddle 2012.JPG
Johnson performing at the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally 2012

Compilations, re-issues and live

Singles and EPs

Other appearances

Personal life

Johnson married Meeta Kanabar on 22 August 1992. [1] The couple have two sons, Hari (born 1998) and Arvin (born 1999). [5] Johnson worked as a teacher at various schools in London, but relocated to Hove in around 2006. [3] He is a supporter of Brentford F.C. and has performed fund-raising concerts for the club. [41]

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References

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