JOHNNY GILL was born to Annie and Johnny Gill, Sr., on the 22nd day of May in 1966. Born and raised in Washington, DC, "J.G." is the youngest of four brothers; Bobby, Jeffrey, and Randy. At age five Johnny became the lead singer of his family's gospel group, The Wings of Faith" and later "The Gill Special", proving that his talent spanned far beyond his tender years.

Despite his religious rearing which forbid secular music, Johnny gravitated to R&B. He secretly began listening to artists such as Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Teddy Pendergrass. By the time he was a preteen, Johnny was known for his deep baritone vocals which sounded very much like a grown man. Infact, one day when a neighborhood parent overheard a singing voice coming from the basement of her home, she was surprise to learn it was not coming from the radio. It was indeed Johnny serenading his neighborhood friends which included the already budding preteen sensation, Stacy Lattisaw.

Lattisaw brought Johnny's talent to the attention of Atlantic Records, her recording label at that time. As a result, in the early 1980's Johnny and Stacy, barely out of their teens, had several hit duets including "Where Do We Go From Here" and "Perfect Combination". Later Johnny enjoyed moderate solo success on the label with the releases "Johnny Gill, and "Chemistry". The latter project produced his early hit "Half Crazy".

In the late 1980's, an industry displaced Johnny became a member of the R&B quintet New Edition, after lead singer Bobby Brown opted for a solo career. His membership introduced the once teen icons to a broader, more mature, fan base. Additionally their release "NE Heartbreak" scored phenomenal success. Even today it is hard to forget Johnny's lead vocals on the group's classic "Can You Stand The Rain".

When New Edition disbanded in 1990, Johnny resumed his solo career. His effort was the self titled release produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam. This release garnered several top ten hits, including "Rub You The Right Way", "Wrap Your Body Tight" and the Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds composition, "My, My, My,". A decade later they are still Johnny's signature songs.

Johnny's second solo project "Provocative", was released in 1993. Although it was not a chart topper like the previous release, it contained classic love ballads which had become Johnny's forte. Johnny admitted that an overflow of fast tracks was the main reason for the release's minimal success.

A master of perfection, Johnny came back in 1996, with "Let's Get The Mood Right", containing the seductive title track, and singles "It's Your Body", and "Love In The Elevator." This was followed by the New Edition Reunion album and tour "Home Again." While fulfilling obligations to New Edition, Johnny made countless vocal quest appearances, and participated as one third of the mega musical union LSG with balladeers Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. Johnny turned to acting late in the decade. He starred in the Gospel stage play "Listen to Your Woman", which co-starred his New Edition group mate Ralph Tresvant.

In the spring of 2002 Johnny starred in the Gospel stage play "A Fool For Love", directed by actor Clyde R. Jones and co-starred Gospel artist Dottie Peoples.

In the summer of 2002, Johnny reunited with Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Ronnie, for a New Edition Reunion Tour. This is just a prelude for the group's 20th anniversary celebration slated for 2003 which includes a tour (including member Bobby Brown) a new release, movie and book.

While fans await the sophomore release LSG, and possible new music from Johnny (his last studio effort was released in the fall of 1996) they can enjoy "The Ultimate Collection of Johnny Gill" released in March 2002. This second of two greatest hits compilations contains the hits "Perfect Combination" with Stacy Lattisaw, and "Can You Stand The Rain", with New Edition.

Whether he is putting down as a member of N.E., LSG, or just doing his own thing, Johnny Gill continues to grace the world with his God given talents, charm and charisma. One this for certain, JOHNNY GILL really does know how to get the mood right. - written by Robin A. Jones

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Webb