When
you hear Sam perform live in concert you recognise
that he is a natural singer's singer, who, as the
saying goes, learnt to sing before he could even
talk (he's certainly learnt to talk though!). His
breath control, range and feeling are astonishing,
as is his versatility. His ability to breathe
intimacy and emotion into a love song or ballad with
his easy style makes the listener believe that the
song is being sung just for them.
Taught
to play brass instruments as a child by his father
Eric Johnson (a very talented musician in his own
right) Sam won many awards from a young age as a
solo cornet and flugel horn player. He is proud of
his brass background, and incorporates this added
talent into the music of Detours by the
addition of his gold trumpet and silver cornet into
several arrangements. He has previously been the
lead singer for three rock groups from Saddleworth,
Griffon, Emerald Lake and more notably
Diversion Ends,
gaining invaluable live and studio experience.
Prior
to the formation of Detours Sam performed
further live gigs both as a solo artist and with
Paul Adshead as a duo named Coxx, and also
recorded several demos. Sam also appears on several of Ez Jon Erikson's solo
recordings on co-vocals and brass.
Unlike
Ju and Ez, Sam is not recognised as a prolific,
'deep' songwriter, but more as an incredible singer
and a unique character with an incredible sense of
humour.
However, he is certainly a strong melody man and has
been involved in the writing of such gems as
Doesn't Matter Much To Me, Falling, Right Thing,
Took Words Outta My Mouth, It's Not Right,
Right Now, What Comes Down, Miss You Most and The
Bells Of St Mary. Ez describes the Sam composition
Games, from their third album A Dark Storm,
as the best thing he's ever done, and Ju
states "I wish I'd written it."
Ju
comments "Sam's one of those guys that you know
you've met. If someone says "do you know Sam
Johnson?" you don't reply "I'm not sure" or "the
name doesn't ring a bell". If you've met him, you
know you've met him! If you're unsure, then you've
definitely not met him! He's a born entertainer, an
absolute nutcase, and you can never be sure what he
is going to do or say next, but he has a true heart
of gold."
