Billiken Johnson
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1929
Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist
Notes: Billiken Johnson was known not for singing or speaking but for braying-mule, kazoo, and train-whistle imitations and other vocal effects. Name sometimes listed as "Billikin" Johnson.
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
| Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | W145322 | 10-in. | 12/3/1927 | Sun beam blues | Fred Adams ; Billiken Johnson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano, tuba, and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W145323 | 10-in. | 12/3/1927 | Interurban blues | Fred Adams ; Billiken Johnson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano, tuba, and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W147576 | 10-in. | 12/6/1928 | Tom cat blues | Bobbie Cadillac | Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet, guitar, piano, and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W147606 | 10-in. | 12/8/1928 | Frisco blues | Billiken Johnson ; Neal Roberts | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W147607 | 10-in. | 12/8/1928 | Wild Jack blues | Billiken Johnson ; Neal Roberts | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W149538 | 10-in. | 12/5/1929 | Elm Street blues | Texas Bill Day ; Billiken Johnson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar, piano, and vocal effects | vocalist | |
| Columbia | W149539 | 10-in. | 12/5/1929 | Billiken's weary blues | Texas Bill Day ; Billiken Johnson | Male vocal solo ("blues singer"), with guitar, piano, and vocal effects | vocalist |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Billiken," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/107168.
Johnson, Billiken. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/107168.
"Johnson, Billiken." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Johnson, Billiken - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n94106327
Feedback
Send the Editors a message about this record.