David Johnston (musician)
David Johnston | |
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David Johnston performing in Cambridge, MA | |
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| Website | stonofjohn |
David Johnston was an American roots singer-songwriter and guitarist. Johnston was profiled by WBUR and the Boston Globe, who referred to him as "one of Boston's best kept secrets" and noted the respect he commanded from other musicians in the Boston roots music scene.[1][2] Johnston frequently performed on the street in Harvard Square, especially in the park next to Grendel's Den.[2] One of his street performances appears briefly in the opening sequence of the movie The Town.[3] He also held residencies at numerous Boston bars and clubs which typically attracted reverent audiences of fellow musicians.[1][2][4]
Johnston's song "I Don't Wanna Know" was covered by Peter Wolf on the album Midnight Souvenirs and in a live performance on the David Letterman Show.[1][5] Wolf also sampled a street recording of Johnston as an introduction for the song "Thick As Thieves" from that same album.[6]
A Boston Globe review of Johnston's album "Carnival of the Soul" noted his "raw emotions and affectingly quirky phrasings" as well as his "intimate way of addressing love's rights and wrongs".[7]
In addition to his solo work, Johnston was a member of the groups One Thin Dime and Le Prestige, and had guest spots with Club De Elf. Over his career, he performed and recorded with many of Boston's most respected musicians including Peter Wolf, Mark Sandman, Duke Levine, Dana Colley, DJ Logic, Jerry Leake, and Abubakari Lunna.[1][8][2][9]
Discography
- 2002: David Johnston 00001
- 2011: Carnival of the Soul
- 2019: Reinventing the Ferris Wheel
Citations
- ^ a b c d Morse, Steve (2010-05-08). "David Johnston is enjoying the moment". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ a b c d "David Johnston Can't Forget His Roots Playing On The Street". WBUR. 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Johnston, David. "Biography". Ston of John. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Cope, Suzanne (2005-11-03). "Boston's Rock Roots". Not For Tourists. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Terlino, Craig (2012-06-01). "An Interview with Boston's David Johnston". Performer. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Bialas, Michael (2010-06-05). "On the Prowl Again, Peter Wolf Collecting Midnight Souvenirs". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Morse, Steve (2012-01-17). "David Johnston, 'Carnival of the Soul'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Milano, Brett (2011-12-23). "Gigs". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Slawecki, Chris (2011-06-13). "Club D'Elf: Electric Moroccoland / So Below". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2025-09-16.