Overview
- Johnson died on the evening of Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, two days after his 69th birthday, according to a statement from his family.
- A founding and longtime member of The Time, he was the group’s original and only drummer and a key figure in shaping the Minneapolis Sound.
- Peers including Sheila E., Susannah Melvoin and Morris Day paid tribute, remembering his musicianship, humor and guidance.
- Beyond The Time, he co-produced Janet Jackson’s No. 1 hit “Black Cat” and worked with Alexander O’Neal, New Edition and Cherrelle.
- He appeared in Prince’s Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge, performed with Rihanna at the 2008 Grammys, and later founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum in 2022 to preserve the movement’s legacy.