Jack Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson performing in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Jack Hody Johnson (1975-05-18)May 18, 1975 (age 50) North Shore,Oahu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Santa Barbara (BA) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | jackjohnsonmusic |
Jack Hody Johnson[1] (born May 18, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter. He plays a variety of styles includingpop,rock,acoustic,folk andsurf rock.[2][3]
Johnson's musicianship has earned him multiple spots on theBillboard 200 chart, reaching number one on the chart with his albumsSing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George in 2006,Sleep Through the Static in 2008,To the Sea in 2010 andFrom Here to Now to You in 2013. His albumIn Between Dreams peaked at number two on the chart in 2005 and again in 2013.[2] His later studio albumAll the Light Above It Too released in 2017 debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, marking it his seventh top five album.[4]
Johnson is active inenvironmentalism andsustainability, often with a focus on the world's oceans. Johnson and his wife Kim created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation and the Kōkua Hawaii Foundation.[5] In 2008, Johnson adopted the concept ofgreening (reduce and reuse), and donated 100% of the proceeds of theSleep Through the Static tour to the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. Similarly, the proceeds from the 2010To the Sea album tour went to All at Once, a Johnson-backed collaboration of greening charities promoting fan involvement.[6][7][8]
The son of surfer Jeff Johnson,[9] Jack was born and grew up on the North Shore ofOahu, Hawaii.[10] He began to learn how to surf at the age of 5. At 17, he became the youngest invitee to make the finals of thePipeline Masters, one of surfing's most prestigious events, on Oahu'sNorth Shore. One week later, however, his stint as a professional surfer ended when he suffered a surfing accident at thePipeline. He had to have more than 100 stitches in his forehead and a few of his teeth were removed; later the incident became the inspiration for his song "Drink the Water".[11][12] He appeared as a surfer inThe Endless Summer II in 1994.[13]
Jack Johnson graduated fromKahuku High School on the island of Oahu. He later attended theUniversity of California, Santa Barbara graduating in 1997[14] with a B.A. degree infilm studies.[15] While Johnson learned the guitar at the age of 8 and started songwriting at the age of 12, his passion for music grew when he played rhythm guitar for the band Soil (not to be confused with aheavy metal band of the same name) in college.[11]
In 1994,Zach Gill's band, Django, released a CD that quickly made Django a favorite band of theIsla Vista, California party scene at UCSB. Django was the rival of Jack Johnson's band Soil, but Gill and Johnson developed a strong friendship, eventually becoming bandmates in later years.[11][16][17] While part of Soil at UCSB, Johnson opened for acts such asSublime andDave Matthews who were then relatively unknown bands.[11]Johnson credits his songwriting influences asBob Dylan,Jimi Hendrix,Radiohead,Otis Redding,G. Love and Special Sauce,Ben Harper,Sublime,the Beatles,Bob Marley,Neil Young, andA Tribe Called Quest.[18] Johnson names Jimi Hendrix as his all-time favorite guitarist.[19]
Jack Johnson's big break was writing and contributing vocals for the song "Rodeo Clowns" which was featured onG. Love's 1999 albumPhiladelphonic. Johnson was introduced to G. Love by a mutual friend who was shooting surf films with him then. After hearing "Rodeo Clowns", G. Love saw Johnson's potential and effortless style and invited him to record with him. That led to the now-famous "Rodeo Clowns" recording, launching Johnson's career.[20]
In addition to his later success as a musician, Johnson is an accomplished filmmaker. He directed the surf filmsThicker Than Water (2000) andThe September Sessions (2002), in which he also starred. He recorded both movie soundtracks and starred in the 2004 surf filmA Brokedown Melody.
Suela released a four-track demo that caught the attention ofBen Harper's producer, J. P. Plunier, who worked with Johnson to produce his debut albumBrushfire Fairytales during December 2000 with Harper and hisWeissenborn lapsteel guitar making a guest appearance.[11][21]Brushfire Fairytales was released on February 1, 2001, and led to Johnson becoming the opening act in late February 2001 for the last twenty-three cities of Harper's "Innocent Criminals" tour of the United States.[11]
Johnson as well as Adam Topol (drums, percussion) and Merlo Podlewski (bass), who played onBrushfire Fairytales to record his second full-length albumOn and On;Mario Caldato Jr. was the producer. It was the first album to be recorded at Johnson's Mango Tree Studio in his hometown ofNorth Shore, Oahu as well as the first to be released through The Moonshine Conspiracy Records.On and On was released on May 6, 2003. The Moonshine Conspiracy Records became Brushfire Records; Johnson turned the offices and studios of hisLos Angeles based record company into a model of eco-friendliness, with solar power, recyclable CD packaging, and power-saving air conditioners.[22]
On April 3, 2004, Johnson and Ben Harper performed withToots and the Maytals onSaturday Night Live (season 29, episode 16).[23][24]
In October 2004, Johnson returned to the Mango Tree Studio with Topol and Podlewski along withZach Gill (ofAnimal Liberation Orchestra) playing accordion, melodica, and piano recording his follow-up to 2003'sOn and On.In Between Dreams was released on March 1, 2005.Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George is a soundtrack album by Johnson, released on February 7, 2006. The album also features Harper,G. Love, Merlo Podlewski and Zach Gill. It was the first soundtrack to benumber 1 on the chart since theBad Boys II soundtrack in August 2003; it was the first soundtrack for an animated film to top theBillboard 200 since thePocahontas soundtrack in July 1995. Johnson enlisted J.P. Plunier to produce his fourth full-length studio album,Sleep Through the Static. It was recorded using 100% solar energy at the Solar-Powered Plastic Plant studio in Los Angeles. The album featured Gill (keys), Podlewski (bass), and Topol (drums, percussion).Sleep Through the Static was released on February 1, 2008, followed by a world tour. A live album and DVD of Johnson's 2008 world tour titledEn Concert, was released on October 27, 2009.[25] The DVD was directed by Emmett Malloy. Johnson was the headliner for the Friday night of the 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[26]
Johnson spearheaded theKōkua Festivals (2004–2008 and 2010). Often occurring aroundEarth Day, the six years of festivals supported the Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation, a charitable organization supporting environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii.Kōkua Festival 2004/2005 was a DVD released by Jack Johnson Music showcasing the early Kōkua Festivals. He participated along withWillie Nelson,Jackson Browne,Dave Matthews,Eddie Vedder, and others in the documentaryKōkua 2008: 5 Years of Change (2009).[27] It was produced by Brushfire and Three Foot Giant Productions and shown onSundance Channel.[28] On April 17, 2012, preceding his 2012 Hawaiian Islands tour, he released the live Kōkua Festival compilationBest of Kōkua Festival.[29][30][31] He producedAnimal Liberation Orchestra's fifth studio album,Man of the World, which was released on February 9, 2010. The album also features vocals from Johnson.
On February 1, 2010, Johnson's official website announced that his fifth studio album,To the Sea, was in the recording process at the Mango Tree Studio, with a planned worldwide release during the first week of June 2010.[32][33] The website also announced an accompanying European, Australian and New Zealand tour to coincide with the album's release on midnight May 31.[32] The first single fromTo the Sea was "You and Your Heart", released on April 6, 2010.[34]
While speaking with the New Zealand radio stationZM, Johnson said that he constantly aiming to build relationships with local pro-environment, non-profit groups. "We try to raise money for a lot of these groups who are doing positive things in the community. We try to focus mostly on environmental education, just trying to get kids out into nature, supporting local farms... "[35] He embarked on a world tour in 2010 withPaula Fuga, a Hawaiian vocalist andukulele player, performing at a range of venues across the world including Europe,Australia,New Zealand,Canada, the U.S., andJapan. On November 1, 2011, Johnson released a stand-alone single called "In The Morning" featuringPaula Fuga and John Cruz.
On February 22, 2012, Johnson with John Cruz and Paula Fuga announced a 7-show acoustic tour of theHawaiian islands during April.[36][37][38] At theStan Sheriff Center on April 14, 2012, during thePillars of Peace Hawai'i: Building Peace on a Foundation of Aloha, he performed introductory music beforeNobel Peace LaureateTenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama ofTibet, gave the speech "Educating the Heart".Better Together was one of several songs Johnson performed.[39][40][41][42][43][44]
Johnson releasedFrom Here to Now to You with his band on September 17, 2013. On June 15, 2013, they performed as headliners at the2013 Bonnaroo inTennessee, stepping in last-minute after a medical emergency causedMumford & Sons to pull out.[45][46] He played two acoustic concerts, one atLondon'sTabernacle inNotting Hill and the other atNew York City'sAllen Room at Lincoln Center overlookingCentral Park, featuring songs from his upcoming album.[47][48][49] TheFrom Here to Now to You Tour ran from March through September 2014.
In February 2017, Johnson announced a U.S. tour beginning inChicago at theHuntington Bank Pavilion onNortherly Island on June 1 and ending with two Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation benefit concerts at the Waikiki Shell on August 4 & 5. He revealed plans to release an album in the summer of 2017.[50][51][52] Later, he added a September 10 concert for the 2017 Ohana Fest atDoheny State Beach inDana Point, California.[53] On September 8, 2017, he released his seventh studio albumAll the Light Above It Too, which peaked at number 13 on theBillboard chart's "Artist 100."[54] In July 2018, Johnson released his greatest hits album "Jack Johnson: The Essentials" only in Japan.[55]
In late 2019, Johnson released a single "New Axe", featured on theThis Warm December Vol. 3 album.[56] He did a "Together at Home"Instagram Live stream concert on March 28, 2020. His concert was the third most watched on theGlobal Citizen YouTube.[57] He also performed at the "One World: Together at Home" special; a live version of "Better Together" was featured on theOne World: Together at Home album.[58] On May 1, 2020, he was featured onMilky Chance's new single "Don't Let Me Down".[59] On September 26, 2020, Johnson performed the opening set atFarm Aid: On the Road.
On December 4, 2020, Johnson released a new single titled "The Captain Is Drunk".[60] On April 16, 2021, he released a song titled "If Ever" withPaula Fuga andBen Harper.[61] The song appeared on Fuga's new albumRain on Sunday, which is featured on Johnson's record label. On June 24, 2022, Johnson released his eighth studio album,Meet the Moonlight, his first full-length record in five years. It was produced byBlake Mills, engineered by Joseph Lorge, and recorded both in Los Angeles (atSound City Studios andEastWest Studios) and at The Mango Tree (Johnson's home studio) in Hawaii. The album's lead single is titled "One Step Ahead".[62]
Coinciding with his new album release, Johnson embarked on theMeet the Moonlight Tour with 35 stops at major venues across the United States (including Hawaii) and Canada. He was accompanied by various artists including Grammy Award winner (and personal friend)Ziggy Marley.[63] In November 2021, Johnson toured Australia and New Zealand, his first overseas concerts since 2019.[64]
Johnson married his college girlfriend, Kim Baker on July 22, 2000;[17][65][66] they have two sons and a daughter. The couple lives on theNorth Shore of the island ofOahu in Hawaii. In an interview with Johnson,Ann Donahue fromBillboard described Johnson's family life by saying "There is often trouble in balancing the life of an artist, environmentalist, and family man, but Johnson seems to have the niche for such a challenge. This time around, he's found a pace that agrees with him... bringing his family along so he can spend mornings with them sightseeing."[67] Jack and Kim declined to talk about or release information about their children.[68]
In 2008, Johnson and his wife Kim created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, a non-profit public charity supporting environmental, art, and music education worldwide. Jack and Kim Johnson also founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation in 2003. Jack and his family work hard every year at festivals and concerts to raise money for causes they feel are most important.
Jack Johnson recorded a cover ofJohn Lennon's "Imagine" for the 2007 benefit albumInstant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, which was also included on the 2009 benefit albumRhythms del Mundo Classics.Rolling Stone wrote: "It is a typically generous move from Johnson, who has used his multi-platinum success to support causes he cares about." Although the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization that "focuses on environmental, arts and music education", it has raised more than $750,000 from 2009 to 2010 to give away.[69] Johnson was inOsaka, Japan on his To the Sea 2010 World Tour at the time of the2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami innorthern Japan. He was in a hotel with his family when it struck. After postponing the rest of his tour, he donated $50,000 toGlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
Johnson's Ohana Charitable Foundation has supported Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. Johnson decorated a guitar for Little Kids Rock to auction raising funds for its program.[70] On September 22, 2012, he donated his time to play a few songs at Farm Aid 2012 inHershey, Pennsylvania. Later in 2012, Jack donated $50,000 forHurricane Sandy relief and added links on his website for others to donate:[71]
After years of touring and surfing along the East Coast, I have made so many great friends. It is heartbreaking to see the images and hear their stories. I just made donations to help recover and relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Below is a list of groups you can support. If you can't donate money, you can donate food, supplies or your time. Our East Coast family, friends and neighbors need our help. Aloha – Jack
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Nice Guys Sleep Alone | Woody | Actor |
| 2000 | Thicker than Water | Himself | Documentary; also director |
| 2001 | Out Cold | Jack Johnson and Band | Actor; cameo |
| 2002 | The September Sessions | Himself | Documentary; also director |
| 2002 | Getting Out | Short film; composer | |
| 2003 | 12 | Composer | |
| 2004 | A Brokedown Melody | Himself | Documentary; also director |
| 2017 | The Smog of the Sea[72] | Himself | Documentary; composer |
| Award | Year | Nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Music Awards | 2006 | Himself | Top Digital Album Artist | Nominated | [73] |
| Curious George | Top Digital Album | Nominated | |||
| Top Soundtrack | Nominated | ||||
| 2011 | To the Sea | Top Alternative Album | Nominated | [74] | |
| Top Rock Album | Nominated | ||||
| Billboard Year-End | 2008 | Himself | Top Digital Album Artist | Nominated | [75] |
| Top Alternative Album Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Top Rock Album Artist | Nominated | ||||
| Sleep Through the Static | Top Digital Album | Nominated | |||
| Top Alternative Album | Nominated | ||||
| Top Rock Album | Nominated | ||||
| Echo Music Prize | 2006 | Himself | Best International Male | Nominated | [76] |
| 2007 | Nominated | ||||
| 2009 | Nominated | ||||
| mtvU Woodie Awards | 2004 | Himself | The Best Showing Woody | Nominated | [77] |
| 2005 | "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" | Best Video Woodie | Nominated | [78] | |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2005 | Himself | Choice Music: Male Artist | Nominated | [79] |
| 2006 | Nominated | [80] | |||
| 2010 | "You and Your Heart" | Choice Music: Rock Track | Nominated | [81] | |
| To the Sea | Choice Music: Rock Album | Nominated |
| Award | Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Film Festival | 2000 | Adobe Highlight Award | Won |
| Surfer Magazine | 2000 | 2000 Video of the Year Award | Won |
| ESPN Action, Sports & Music Awards | 2001 | Surfing's Music Artist of the Year | Won |
| ESPN Action, Sports & Music Awards | 2002 | Surfing's Music Artist of the Year | Won |
| ASCAP Pop Music Awards | 2003 | ASCAP College Vanguard Award | Won |
| ESPN Action, Sports & Music Awards | 2005 | Best Video Woodie – Live Action (Best Live Action Video) | Nominated |
| ESPN Action, Sports & Music Awards | 2005 | Road Woodie (Best Tour) | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2006 | Best Original Song (from movie "Curious George") | Nominated |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2006 | Best Male Video | Nominated |
| Meteor Ireland Music Awards | 2006 | Best International Male | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | 2006 | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | 2006 | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated |
| Brit Awards | 2006 | Best International Male Solo Artist | Nominated |
| Brit Awards | 2006 | International Breakthrough Artist | Won |
| Brit Awards | 2007 | Best International Male Solo Artist | Nominated |
| Billboard Touring Awards | 2010 | Humanitarian Award | Won |
| National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) | 2012 | National Conservation Achievement Award in Communications | Won |
Yea, all the buses are on biodiesel. We're doing this new community – I don't know what you'd call it. It's connected to our website and called "All At Once," which is a song on the album. At every show on this tour, we'll have a collection of booths called The Village Green. The idea is really from Zach Gill's wife and my wife, they're really working on it. They're reaching out to nonprofits in every town, and we're having them at our shows
"Jack Johnson – The Dude Abides".Rolling Stone. March 5, 2008. Archived fromthe original on January 5, 2015. RetrievedFebruary 22, 2013.(subscription required)
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