Garry George Johnson, known professionally as Jellybean Johnson, a prominent Minneapolis musician and producer, and the esteemed drummer for the Prince-affiliated funk-rock group The Time, has passed away at the age of 69. The cause of his death remains unknown. TMZ first reported Johnson’s passing on Friday night, November 21, citing a statement from his family.

Johnson, who was self-taught on both drums and guitar, was recruited by Prince in 1981 to join The Time, a band that emerged from Minneapolis's Flyte Tyme. Johnson and Prince had a long-standing acquaintance, having known each other since their high school years in Minneapolis. Reflecting on his musical approach in a 2018 interview with Australian Musician, Johnson stated, “The drums are physical and violent for me while the guitar is spiritual and emotional.” He humorously added, “When you live here in the cold, you stay in [in] the winter time and you learn how to play.”

As a key member of The Time, and later with Prince’s side project The Family, Johnson was instrumental in shaping the distinctive Minneapolis Sound – a fusion of funk-rock, new wave, and synth-pop. His presence extended beyond music into film, where he appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the 1984 Academy Award-winning film Purple Rain and as himself in 1990’s Graffiti Bridge. The Time achieved significant chart success, with five top 10 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (then known as Hot Black Singles) in the 1980s and early 1990s, including popular tracks like “777-9311,” “Jungle Love,” and “Jerk-Out,” the latter reaching No. 1 in 1990.

Beyond his drumming, Johnson was also a respected producer and an in-demand session musician. His production credits include Janet Jackson’s 1990 Hot 100 No. 1 single “Black Cat.” Tributes poured in from his peers and friends following news of his passing. Sheila E., a close friend and frequent collaborator with Prince, shared her devastation on Facebook, remembering him as a “kind human being, extremely talented and funny” with a “great sense of humor and [an] awesome guitar player.” She expressed regret for missing his birthday the day before his passing, writing, “I love u bean. Rest in peace and power.”

Susannah Melvoin, vocalist for The Family, shared her heartbreak on Instagram, describing Johnson as her “beautiful brother” and emphasizing the familial bond within the band. Melvoin recounted meeting Johnson when she was 19 and he was 28, already a “seasoned musical savant.” She highlighted his versatility, noting he transitioned from drums to guitar in The Family because he was a “guitar player first and drummer second,” with playing guitar being like “oxygen” to him. She urged support for his children and family.

Johnson’s career also saw him performing at high-profile events. He performed with The Time and Rihanna at the Grammy Awards in 2008, a challenging experience for him as it required playing to a click track. Johnson, accustomed to his “own click track for 30, 40 years,” admitted to struggling, despite the “flawless” on-screen performance. He consulted many drummers to master the technique, a testament to his dedication. He later returned to the Grammy stage in 2017 and 2020 as part of tributes honoring Prince.

In his later years, Johnson remained dedicated to preserving musical heritage. In 2021, he co-founded the non-profit Minneapolis Sound Museum, aiming to safeguard the history, culture, and legacy of the Minneapolis Sound. His enduring impact was recognized in 2022 when he and The Time were honored with a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.