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The Time Drummer Jellybean Johnson Dead at 69
Founding member of The Time and pioneer of the Minneapolis Sound, Jellybean Johnson shaped music with hits like Janet Jackson's 'Black Cat' and founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum.
- On Friday, Garry "Jellybean" Johnson died suddenly on November 21, 2025, shortly after his 69th birthday, his family confirmed to TMZ on November 22, 2025.
- Born Nov. 19, 1956, Johnson moved to north Minneapolis as a child and taught himself drums and guitar before Prince recruited him into The Time in 1981.
- Johnson produced the guitar hook for Janet Jackson's 'Black Cat' and singles for Alexander O'Neal, New Edition, and Cherrelle, appearing as himself in Prince’s 1990 film Graffiti Bridge.
- The family of Jellybean Johnson released a statement saying they are deeply saddened and called him a beloved husband and father, while Sheila E. said the community is praying; no cause of death has been disclosed.
- He founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum in 2022 to educate and preserve Minneapolis music, and the site accepts donations and information at minneapolissoundmuseum.org.
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Sheila E. Pays Tribute to Prince Associate Jellybean Johnson Following His Death: ‘We Are Devastated’
Sheila E. paid tribute to Jellybean Johnson, the former drummer for the Prince-founded funk rock band The Time, amid news of his death at the age of 69. The ’80s icon took to Facebook Friday evening, where shared a picture of Johnson and remembered the musician as her “dear friend.” “With a heavy heart, my dear friend Jellybean passed away a couple of hours ago,” she wrote to her 1.2 million followers. “We are devastated by this news. I’m prayin…
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 43%
C 50%
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