Biography
Johnny Jenkins was born on March 5, 1939, in Macon, Georgia, and grew up in the rural community of Swift Creek. From a young age, Jenkins was captivated by the sounds of blues, R&B, and hillbilly music he heard on a battery-powered radio. He built his first guitar out of a cigar box and rubber bands at age nine and soon became known locally for his left-handed, upside-down playing style, which would later become a signature of his flamboyant performances. By the late 1950s, Jenkins was leading the Pinetoppers, a band that would play a pivotal role in the early career of Otis Redding.
Jenkins's career took a significant turn in the early 1960s when he and the Pinetoppers, with Redding as their singer and Jenkins as lead guitarist, recorded at Stax Studios. Jenkins's unused studio time allowed Redding to record 'These Arms of Mine,' with Jenkins on guitar, launching Redding's career. Jenkins himself released the instrumental single 'Spunky' in 1964 and continued performing regionally, but his own recording career stalled as his manager Phil Walden shifted focus to Redding. Jenkins's 1970 album 'Ton-Ton Macoute!' featured members of the Allman Brothers Band, including Duane Allman, and its opening track, a cover of Dr. John's 'I Walk on Guilded Splinters,' was later widely sampled. Disillusioned with the music business, Jenkins withdrew from recording for decades, returning in the 1990s with the album 'Blessed Blues' and two subsequent releases.
Jenkins's guitar style, blending blues, R&B, and rock, left a lasting influence on artists such as Jimi Hendrix. Despite never achieving major commercial success, Jenkins's legacy is cemented through his work with Otis Redding, his innovative guitar technique, and his influence on Southern blues and rock musicians. He died in Macon, Georgia, in 2006 and was posthumously inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fun Facts
- Jenkins played guitar left-handed and upside down, a technique that contributed to his unique sound and stage presence.
- He never wanted to be a full-time musician, often working day jobs such as digging wells and logging even during his music career.
- Jenkins did not have a driver's license, so Otis Redding, then a young band member, drove him to gigs and recording sessions.
- His 1970 album 'Ton-Ton Macoute!' has been widely sampled by later artists, bringing his music to new generations.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Bill Doggett - Jenkins listened to Doggett and other R&B artists on the radio as a child, shaping his early musical sensibilities. (General influence, not direct collaboration) [1940s-1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Otis Redding - Lead singer of Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers; Jenkins played guitar on Redding's first major recording. (The Pinetoppers, 'These Arms of Mine') [Late 1950s-1962]
- Duane Allman - Played guitar and dobro on Jenkins's album 'Ton-Ton Macoute!' ('Ton-Ton Macoute!' (1970)) [1970]
- Chuck Leavell - Collaborated on Jenkins's comeback album 'Blessed Blues'. ('Blessed Blues' (1996)) [1996]
- The Pinetoppers - Jenkins's band, which included Otis Redding as lead vocalist. (Regional performances, 'Love Twist') [Late 1950s-early 1960s]
Artists Influenced
- Jimi Hendrix - Jenkins's flamboyant, left-handed guitar style was a direct influence on Hendrix, who saw Jenkins perform in Macon. (General stylistic influence) [1960s]
- Beck - Sampled Jenkins's recording of 'I Walk on Guilded Splinters' on the song 'Loser'. ('Loser' (1994)) [1990s]
- Oasis - Sampled Jenkins's 'I Walk on Guilded Splinters' on 'Go Let It Out'. ('Go Let It Out' (2000)) [2000]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ton-Ton Macoute! | 1974-01-01 | Album |
| Handle With Care | 1999 | Album |
| An Anthology | 1972-11-01 | Album |
| All in Good Time | 2000 | Album |
| Blessed Blues | 1996-03-01 | Album |
| Blessed Blues | 1996-01-01 | Album |
| An Anthology Vol. 2 | 1974-01-01 | Album |
| An Anthology | 1972-11-01 | Album |
| An Anthology: Duane Allman | 1972-01-01 | Album |
| An Anthology: Duane Allman | 1972-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Down Along The Cove (Ton-Ton Macoute!)
- I Walk On Guilded Splinters (Ton-Ton Macoute!)
- Down Along The Cove (An Anthology)
- Bashful Guitar (Handle With Care)
- Rollin' Stone (An Anthology)
- Leaving Trunk (Ton-Ton Macoute!)
- Walk On Gilded Splinters (An Anthology Vol. 2)
- Voodoo In You (Ton-Ton Macoute!)
- Bad News (Ton-Ton Macoute!)
- Spunky (Spunky)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
johnny jenkins has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2025 | 20:28 | blind bats & swamp rats | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold | |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 20:41 | voodoo in you | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |