Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson (born 18.5.1975)

Jack Johnson is a musician and filmmaker, born in Hawaii. His Sleep Through The Static album was his breakthrough success, having found a slow-growing notoriety up until that point.

Jack Johnson Childhood

As a child, Jack Johnson was a keen surfer, beginning to surf at the age of five and loving to surf with his best friend, Ben Schomer. Aged 17, Johnson became the youngest ever surfer to be invited to the Pipeline trial and make the finals. At the event though, he suffered a serious accident whilst surfing. His front teeth were knocked out and he required over 100 stitches. During his recovery, his interest in music began to grow, although he had played the guitar since he was a small boy.

When he had graduated from Kahuku School in Oahu, Jack Johnson attended the University of California. There, he began to write songs, influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The musician G. Love met Johnson whilst surfing and the pair ended up recording Johnson's song 'Rodeo Clowns', for G. Love's album Philadelphonic.

Johnson later recorded a four-track demo, which came to the attention of J.P. Plunier, who had previously produced the singer songwriter Ben Harper.

Jack Johnson: Music Career

Johnson's debut album was released in 2001. Brushfire Fairytales became an underground hit. Johnson's music became especially popular amongst globe-trotters and beach-sport enthusiasts.

2003's On and On found him compared to 'mellow' acoustic artists of the 1970s, such as Donovan.

In 2005, Jack Johnson released In Between Dreams. Although Johnson's popularity was gradually beginning to spread, the songwriter was far from being a critical darling, with some music writers criticizing his faux-Caribbean singing accent.

In 2006, Jack Johnson released the soundtrack to the children's film Curious George. The album included a cover of 'We Are Going To Be Friends' by the White Stripes.

2008's Sleep Through the Static has been hailed as Johnson's crossover album. His touring keyboard player, Zach Gill played on the tracks; a departure from Johnson's usual guitar, bass and drums set-up.

Johnson's music has been used to advertise the BBC's Politics Show and in 2008, The Beastie Boys chose Johnson to perform with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Santogold and Norah Jones on the 'Get Out And Vote' tour, aimed at encouraging people to vote in the US elections.