Jim Johnson (1943-2019) & The Underbeats
Inducted 2017
James Calvin Johnson began his musical career in 1962 in the Twin Cities as one of the original founders of rock and roll band The Underbeats, playing guitar and eventually singing lead vocals. The Underbeats were one of only a handful of pioneer rock and roll bands from the Twin Cities who enjoyed well-paying gigs, a steady release of 45rpm single records, and regular airplay on WDGY-AM radio. In 1968, the band located to California under a new name, Gypsy, and played on the Sunset Strip. The song “Gypsy Queen” was a national hit with lots of radio play especially in Minneapolis/St. Paul and St. Louis. Gypsy released five albums recorded for two major labels Metromedia and RCA Records during the early-to-mid 1970s. In 1993, Jim returned to Minnesota and played with a new version of The Underbeats and also played with Gypsy for various reunion concerts. Jim Johnson, with a career in music that spans five decades, is a true Minnesota rock and roll legend.
