When Janet Jackson decided to record “Black Cat” for her groundbreaking Rhythm Nation 1814 album, she envisioned a dramatic sonic departure. In a stark contrast to her signature industrial dance-pop, Jackson wanted a heavy, hard-rock sound to complete the record and showcase her versatile voice. The team was scrambling to find a strong lead guitarist capable of delivering the arena rock punch she demanded.
The Soul of Rock in a Funk Drummer’s Guise
At the time, the man on the production team was Jellybean Johnson, best known as the drummer for the seminal Minneapolis funk band, The Time. Johnson was quiet, a steady presence behind the kit, but he possessed a deep, hidden passion for hard rock, having grown up listening to bands like Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe. As the search for a guitarist continued, Johnson quietly stepped out from behind the drums, picked up a guitar, and demonstrated a profound command of the rock sound Jackson wanted.
History-Making Riffs and a Billboard Topper
Johnson’s impromptu performance created crazy riffs that stunned the whole studio, quickly earning him the co-production credit alongside Jackson. He was instrumental in developing the heavy, guitar-driven sound, famously telling Modern Drummer, “I thought it would be cool if I could make Janet sound like a heavy metal queen.”
The resulting track, featuring Johnson’s funky riffing and his friend Dave Barry’s scorching solo, was a massive commercial success. “Black Cat” soared to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making history as Janet Jackson’s fifth single from the album to top the chart. Furthermore, “Black Cat” received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, making Jackson the only artist in history to receive nominations spanning five different genres—a feat powered by the unexpected rock fire delivered by the quiet drummer. Johnson, who not only played percussion and programmed the drum machines, but also contributed guitar, proved the adage: “Never judge a book by its cover.” He was the soul of rock hidden in the guise of a funk drummer.
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