Interview: Jesse Johnson

Funkatopia sits down with the guitar legend Jesse Johnson who came to Minneapolis and became an immediate icon figurehead for the Minneapolis sound. Starting as a floating session guitarist and vocalist for Prince’s various whims including background vocals on some of Prince‘s biggest hits like 1999 to serving as lead guitarist of Prince‘s funk project The Time.

Jesse became Prince’s unspoken nemesis as he then went solo and released Jesse Johnson’s Revue followed by Shockadelica, and Every Shade of Love. Not to mention later albums like Bare My Naked Soul and Verbal Penetration. He also began to produce for a wealth of movie soundtracks like Pretty in Pink, White Men Can’t Jump, Kool Skool and even producing other artists including Wendy & Lisa, Dakrash, Tamara and the Seen, and others.

Listen in as we discuss those most notable projects, the obsession with playing practical jokes on Prince, the upcoming new music and the associated challenges that come with being a perfectionist. Listen into this magically revealing interview.