You might not know the name but you might have seen him next to Michael Jackson few times.
Romeo Johnson, a native of Chattanooga Tennessee arrived on the L.A. music scene making a name for himself by singing at various open mic venues and playing bass guitar and singing background vocals for Ali Woodson (former lead vocalist of the Temptations).
Romeo’s first tour was with Vesta Williams as a background vocalist and dancer, followed by Jody Watley as a bass guitarist and bass synth player, shortly after touring with Sheena Easton singing duets with Sheena and playing bass guitar. While touring with Jody Watley and Sheena Easton, Romeo recorded and performed with Jennifer Holliday, David Peaston, M.C. Hammer and James Ingram. Romeo is the first and only male vocalist to ever tour with Janet Jackson. In 1999, Romeo was hired as a vocalist in Michael Jackson’s band. Romeo is the only vocalist to ever tour with both Janet and Michael Jackson.
Romeo first met Michael Jackson at the “Jackson Family Honour” in Las Vegas where he was part of the Janet Jackson’s team.
Having met Kevin Dorsey few times, Kevin recommended him for the show in Munchen, Germany in 1999 (yes, the performance where the bridge collapsed and hurt Michael) and then took part in the “United We Stand” concerts.
Between the tours with the Jackson’s, Romeo did a World Tour with Rashaan Patterson as a background vocalist. Romeo is a background and co-lead vocalist for the band Rufus. He is still performing with major artists such as Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Teddy Riley and GUY.
Romeo worked on American Idol for two seasons, Soul Train Music Awards, BET Awards, BET Walk of Fame for Smokey Robinson and sang at the Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman’s after party. Romeo recorded background vocals on CD’s by Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, James Ingram, Jennifer Holiday, Ice Cube and others.
Romeo was also the Vocal Director for “Michael Forever” – The Tribute Concert was a music benefit concert which was held on 8 October 2011 at the 74,500 seater Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Performers who participated were participated in the event included the Jackson Brothers, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Alexandra Burke, Yolanda Adams, 3T, Alien Ant Farm, Cee Lo Green, Pixie Lott, Diversity, Craig David, JLS, Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Gladys Knight, La Toya Jackson, Leona Lewis and Smokey Robinson.
Now, Johnson will be touring the country to teach singers how to have a better audition, unique singing techniques and also how to survive in the music industry.
He is also the author of the book “Following the Voice – Sounds Produced From Heaven”. Romeo hopes to inspire and help any and every young aspiring musician or anyone wanting to avoid mistakes, train wrecks, brick walls or self-sabotaging decisions that can shorten or end a career with his words of wisdom, life experience and industry acumen.
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