no cause of death has been released.
Jellybean Johnson — the Minneapolis drummer, guitarist, and producer whose work with Prince and the groundbreaking funk-rock group The Time helped define an entire musical era — has died at 69. His family confirmed his passing on Nov. 21, though no cause of death has been released. TMZ first reported the news.
Born Garry George Johnson, the self-taught musician was recruited by Prince in 1981 to join The Time, which emerged from the city’s influential Flyte Tyme collective. Johnson and Prince had known one another since their teenage years, long before their careers became intertwined.
Tributes poured in across social media after news of his death. Sheila E., a close friend and longtime collaborator, shared her grief in a Facebook post, writing, “My dear friend Jellybean passed away a couple of hours ago… He was a kind human being, extremely talented and funny.”
Addressing him directly, she added, “I love u bean. Rest in peace and power.”
Susannah Melvoin of The Family also reflected on Johnson’s impact, saying, “My beautiful brother Jellybean Johnson has passed… Jellybean was the master of loving you like no brother could!”
Source: Black Enterprise
