Johnny Ross
Birth nameJohn W. Ross Jr
BornMay 28, 1942
Miller, Indiana, United States
DiedFebruary 9, 2006(2006-02-09) (aged 63)
Hobart, Indiana, United States
GenresSoul, R&B, blues
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years activec.1960 – 2006

Johnny Ross (May 28, 1942 – February 9, 2006)[1] was an American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters, who died in 2006 as a result of appendicitis.[2] He also hosted his own cable television show.

Biography

John W. Ross Jr was born in Miller, Indiana, United States.[1] Along with Melvyn "Deacon" Jones and James Ramey aka Baby Huey, Ross was a founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters.[3] He stayed with the Babysitters for nearly a decade and during that time he wrote two of their songs, "Monkey Man" and "Just Being Careful".[4] "Monkey Man" appears on numerous 1960s various artists compilations including Pittsburghs Greatest Hits,[5] Teenage Shutdown: Jump, Jive and Harmonize,[6] Mad Mike's Monstors Vol 3[7]

After he left the Babysitters he went solo and recorded some soul singles including, "I Can't Help Myself", which appeared on a Northern soul dance compilation.[8]

In later years

From the early 1990s until the time of his death Ross and his wife managed Ross Music and Video Productions.[9] He scored music for television shows and commercials for brands such as Sears and Mattel toys.[3]

He had a cable television show Creating Music that ran for ten years.[9] Among the guests were Mo' Beat Blues,[10] members of Michael Jackson's extended family, Gary Mayor Scott King who played bass, and members of The Spaniels.[11]

From the early 2000s he composed movie soundtracks including two for Fred "The Hammer" Williamson.[12] They were Down 'n Dirty and On The Edge.[2]

Ross also managed security for many municipal events and personally handled security for Coretta Scott King, the widow of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.[9]

Death

He died on February 9, 2006, as a result of heart failure after appendicitis, at the age of 63.[2]

Television

  • The Johnny Ross Show, Creating Music – (c) 1994 – 2006 (Cable)[11]

Soundtrack

Discography

Singles

  • Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions – "I Can't Help Myself" / "Sore Loser" – Chirrup 1523
  • Electric City Featuring Johnny Ross – "Gemini" / "We're Gonna Make It" – 20th Century Fox TC-2360 (1977)[14]

Compilation albums

  • Northern Soul Story 4 – Soul Supply Records LPSD 121 – 1987 – Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosions – I Can't Help Myself (2 LP)[15]
  • Northern Soul Dance Party Goldmine GSCD46 – Johnny Ross & the Soul Explosion – "I Can't Help Myself"[16]
  • Down 'n Dirty (Soundtrack) – Select-O-Hits – 2000

References

  1. 1 2 "John W. Ross Jr. Obituary: View John Ross's Obituary by Post Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2006 January To June". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Johnny Ross a region music resource | Uncategorized". Nwitimes.com. July 14, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  4. ↑ Chris Bishop (June 2, 2005). "Baby Huey and the Baby Sitters". Garage Hangover. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Itzy 101". Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Teenage Shutdown Jump Jive and Harmonize @ ARTISTdirect.com - Shop, Listen, Download". Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ Marmotta Rammler (February 26, 2004). "Marmotta Rammler: Mad Mike Monsters Vol. 3". Marmottarammler.blogspot.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Northern Soul Dance Party by Various Artists (Compilation, Northern Soul): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list". Rate Your Music. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 "Johnny Ross, Jr. was a musician and mentor to fledgling artists | Obituaries". Nwitimes.com. February 14, 2006. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Press". www.mobeatblues.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  11. 1 2 "Media help expose local musicians | Uncategorized". Nwitimes.com. August 17, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Johnny Ross gets lofty praise from notable filmmaker - Post-Tribune (IN) | HighBeam Research". Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Full cast and crew for Down 'n Dirty". IMDb. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Electric City (3) Featuring Johnny Ross (2) – Gemini / We're Gonna Make It (Vinyl)". discogs. 1977. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Various – The Northern Soul Story 4 (Vinyl, LP)". discogs. 1987. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Northern Soul Dance Party". Archived from the original on November 28, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
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