Johnny Edward Jenkins (March 5, 1939 – June 26, 2006)[1][2] was an American left-handed bluesguitarist, who helped launch the career of Otis Redding.[2] His flamboyant style of guitar playing also influenced Jimi Hendrix.[3]
In the 1960s, Jenkins was the leader of the Pinetoppers, who employed a young Otis Redding as singer.[3] As Jenkins did not have a driver's license, Redding also served as his personal driver.[2] During a recording session in 1962 organized by the band's manager, Phil Walden, Jenkins left forty minutes of studio time unused. Redding used this time to record a ballad, "These Arms of Mine", on which Jenkins played guitar.[3] Scott Freeman, in his biography of Redding, Otis!: The Otis Redding Story, gives several accounts of that chaotic day at Stax Records.[4] In 1964, Jenkins released an instrumental single, "Spunky" (Volt V-122).[5]
With Phil Walden concentrating on Redding's flourishing career, Jenkins was sidelined, and it was not until after Redding's death in 1967 that Walden again concentrated on Jenkins's career.[2] In 1970, Jenkins released the album Ton-Ton Macoute!.[3] The opening track, a cover of Dr. John's "I Walk on Guilded Splinters",[2] has been sampled by numerous musicians, including Beck (Loser), and Oasis (Go Let It Out).[6][unreliable source] Several tracks on Ton-Ton Macoute! featured Duane Allman on guitar and dobro.[7]
With Walden again becoming involved in other projects, Jenkins became disillusioned with the music industry and did nothing of note until 1996. By then Walden had persuaded him to make a comeback, and he released the album Blessed Blues, recorded with Chuck Leavell.[3] Two further albums followed: Handle with Care and All in Good Time.[8]
Jenkins died from a stroke in June 2006 in the same town where he was born: Macon, Georgia. He was 67.[1][3] His brother, Terry Lee Jenkins, borrowed Otis Redding's Cadillac to use for his prom. Terry later served in Vietnam with his good friend, David Bilgo
