Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson, the legendary drummer and guitarist best known for his work with Prince‑affiliated bands The Time and The Family, has died at age 69, the music world reports. His passing was confirmed on Friday, just two days after he celebrated his birthday.
Johnson was born on November 19, 1956 in Chicago and moved to Minneapolis in childhood, where he taught himself drums and guitar. He rose to prominence as a founding member of The Time — Prince’s funk-rock side project — contributing his rhythmic power and musical versatility to help define the Minneapolis Sound.
Jellybean was widely praised for his extraordinary ability to replicate complex drum machine rhythms in a live setting — notably on The Time’s hit “777‑9311.” He once said, “I never tried to get that close [to perfection] … I tried to get it the Jellybean way,” explaining how his style fooled even the best drummers.
Beyond his time with The Time, Johnson also played in The Family, another Prince‑produced group. Susannah Melvoin from The Family paid tribute, calling him her “beautiful brother” and remembering his deep musicianship. She wrote on Instagram that “oxygen for him was … the inhale and exhale of playing his guitar.”
Johnson also made a name as a producer, working with notable artists like Janet Jackson — he produced her 1990 No. 1 hit, “Black Cat.” His influence spread far beyond Minneapolis, and his legacy shaped the sound of funk, R&B, and pop for decades.
Tributes have poured in since the news of his death. Musician Sheila E. described her friend as “a kind human being, extremely talented … he had a great sense of humor and an awesome guitar player.” Melvoin added that Johnson believed in “love, music and kindness” and emphasized how much he supported others.
In a heartfelt social media post for his 69th birthday, Johnson reflected on his journey — not just the big stages and awards, but small, meaningful moments in Minneapolis. He wrote about “The Way,” a community center on the North Side of Minneapolis, where young musicians found themselves and dreamed big. He also expressed a lifelong wish: to create a museum celebrating the Minneapolis Sound and inspiring future generations.
The cause of his death has not yet been released. Though he’s gone, Garry “Jellybean” Johnson’s music, spirit, and community legacy will continue to resonate — not just in Minneapolis, but around the world.
