DOJO – Garry “Jellybean” Johnson, the iconic drummer, guitarist and producer who helped shape the legendary Minneapolis Sound, has died at age 69. His family confirmed he passed away Friday night. A cause of death has not been released.

Who was Jellybean Johnson?

A self-taught musician born in Chicago and raised in Minneapolis, Jellybean became one of the architects of the Prince-driven Minneapolis music revolution. Prince recruited him in 1981 as the drummer for The Time, a funk-rock group that later became globally recognized through Purple Rain.

Jellybean later joined Prince’s side project The Family, continued producing records, and became an in-demand session musician. His blend of funk, new wave and rock helped define an entire era of pop music.

A career shaped by Prince and The Time

Johnson appeared in both Purple Rain (1984) and Graffiti Bridge (1990), playing alongside Prince and showcasing the flamboyant Minneapolis music culture that influenced decades of artists.

The Time earned multiple R&B hits including “Jungle Love,” “777-9311,” and “Jerk-Out,” cementing him as a key figure within the genre.

He also became an accomplished producer, earning major credits including:

• Janet Jackson’s No. 1 hit “Black Cat”
• Work with New Edition, Human League, Alexander O’Neal, Patti LaBelle, and Rihanna

In 2022, he and The Time received the Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tributes from the music world

Musicians from across the industry mourned Jellybean’s sudden death.

Sheila E.

“My dear friend Jellybean passed away a couple of hours ago… We are devastated. He was extremely talented, funny, and had the biggest heart. Yesterday was your birthday… I love u Bean. Rest in power.”

Morris Day

“He wasn’t just a bandmate — he was my brother. All he ever wanted to do was play music. I’m sure he’s in heaven right now with Prince assembling an All-Star lineup.”

Susannah Melvoin (The Family)

“Jellybean was the master of loving you like no brother could. His children and family need our support and love.”

Later years and legacy

In 2021, Johnson released his debut solo album Get Experienced, showcasing the psychedelic guitar work he’d been known for since the ’80s. He also co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum to preserve the legacy of the city’s musical history.

“I just wanted to put something out before they put me in the ground,” he told The Star Tribune in 2021 — a quote that resonates deeply now.

Jellybean Johnson leaves behind a legacy woven into the DNA of modern pop, R&B and funk. His rhythm, his guitar, and his influence live on in every artist inspired by the Minneapolis Sound.