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Johnny Gill (born May 22, 1966 in Washington, D.C.) is an American R&B singer-songwriter best known for his romantic ballads and as a member of New Edition. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic compilations.

Life and work

Gill, the stepson of a minister, started singing at age five in a family gospel group called "Wings of Faith," which included his brothers Bobby, Jeff, and Randy Gill (himself a solo recording artist and member of the group II D Extreme). His recording career began in 1983 when his childhood friend, singer Stacy Lattisaw, convinced him to record a demo. This demo fell into the hands of the president of Atlantic Records, and his self-titled debut album was released shortly thereafter. Gill then teamed up with Stacy for a duet album, which featured their first hit together, "Perfect Combination." A second album on Atlantic Records, yielded the song "Half Crazy," which is still a fan favorite.

Gill began a new chapter in his career in 1987, when he was recruited by Michael Bivins to be the new fifth member of New Edition, a 1980s R&B group. The previous fifth member, Bobby Brown had been voted out of the group and enjoyed a successful solo career before reuniting with the group as a sixth member.

With Gill as one of the lead singers, the group developed a more mature, adult sound, hitting the charts with songs such as "Can You Stand The Rain," "N.E. Heartbreak," and the Gill-led "Boys To Men." He is the oldest member of New Edition.

Continuing his role as a romantic balladeer while emerging as a New Jack Swing star, he released a second self-titled album in 1990 which included the hits "My, My, My," "Rub You the Right Way," "Fairweather Friend" and "Wrap My Body Tight". On this album, Gill played guitar, bass, bongos, and drums in addition to performing lead and background vocals.

In 1993, Gill released another solo project, Provocative, which included the songs "Quiet Time to Play," "A Cute, Sweet, Love Addiction," and a moving gospel, "I Know Where I Stand." In 1996, Gill was reunited with New Edition, including Brown, as they recorded Home Again, an album noted for the singles "Hit Me Off" and "Still In Love". The title song, "Home Again," although not released as a single is one of the most impressive vocal performances recorded by the group to date.

In 1996, Gill also released Let's Get the Mood Right, which included the title song, "Love In an Elevator," and "Maybe" which, although not released as a single, is considered by many to be one of his greatest vocal performances ever. The following year, he collaborated with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat to form the supergroup LSG (Levert/Sweat/Gill) which resulted in the multi platinum debut album, Levert-Sweat-Gill, and a follow-up album in 2003 entitled LSG2.

Gill, the only member of New Edition who is not from Boston, was raised in Washington DC where he attended Kimball Elementary, Sousa Junior High, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. His career dictated that he complete his high school education through the services of a tutor. Gill had planned to attend college and pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but his career came first.

His latest recording, "You For Me (The Wedding Song)" from the Madea's Family Reunion soundtrack received strong reviews from music critics as well as the general public. In 2008, Gill, as a member of New Edition, was the recipient of the Golden Note Award at ASCAP's 21st Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

In addition to finishing work on his upcoming solo CD, as of September 27, 2008, he began touring with Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown in a new group named Heads of State. Gill is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of his first recording as a solo artist.

With over 80 television and film appearances as a singer and actor, Gill earned much acclaim for his cameo role on the hit TV show, Family Matters (TV series) and recently thrilled audiences singing "You For Me" in the movie "Madea's Family Reunion."

In October 2004 Rub You The Right Way appeared in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on R&B, Soul radio station CSR 103.9.

Discography

Albums

Johnny Gill

• Released: 1983
• Label: Atlantic
• Chart Peak: US R&B #64
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: "Super Love", "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby"

Perfect Combination

• Released: February 1984
• Label: Cotillion
• Chart Peak: US Pop #139
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: "Perfect Combination", "Block Party"

Chemistry

• Released: 1985
• Label: Atlantic
• Chart Peak: US R&B #51
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: "Half Crazy", "Can't Wait Til Tomorrow"

Johnny Gill

• Released: April 17, 1990
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: US Pop #8, R&B #1
• RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum
• Singles: "Where Do We Go From Here", "Rub You The Right Way", "My, My, My", "Fairweather Friend", "Wrap My Body Tight"

Provocative

• Released: June 8, 1993
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: US Pop #14, R&B #4
• RIAA Certification: Gold
• Singles: "The Floor", "I Got You", "Long Way From Home", "Quiet Time To Play"

Let's Get the Mood Right

• Released: October 8, 1996
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: US Pop #32, R&B #7
• RIAA Certification: Gold
• Singles: "Let's Get The Mood Right", "It's Your Body", "Love In An Elevator"

Favorites

• Released: November 11, 1997
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: N/A
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: N/A

Ultimate Collection

• Released: March 26, 2002
• Label: Hip-O
• Chart Peak: N/A
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: N/A

The Millennium Collection: The Best of Johnny Gill

• Released: June 17, 2003
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: N/A
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: N/A

Love Songs

• Released: January 11, 2005
• Label: Motown
• Chart Peak: N/A
• RIAA Certification: N/A
• Singles: N/A

Singles

External links

• Johnny Gill at Wenig-LaMonica Associates
• Johnny Gill at iLike
• Johnny Gill at LetsSingIt
• Johnny Gill at All Music
• Johnny Gill 25th Anniversary Celebration at MySpace

• 1966 births
• American rhythm and blues singers
• American songwriters
• Motown Records artists
• African American singers
• American soul musicians
• People from Washington, D.C.
• Musicians from Washington, D.C.
• New Edition members
• Living people