Sammy Johns was a singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the 1970s with his hit song “Chevy Van”. He also wrote songs for many country stars, such as Waylon Jennings, John Conlee, and Conway Twitty. But his life was cut short on January 4, 2013, when he died at the age of 66. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his fans and peers? Here is a brief overview of his life and legacy.
Early Life and Career
Sammy Johns was born on February 7, 1946, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His father gave him a guitar when he was nine years old, and he started his first band, the Devilles, in his teenage years. The band performed locally and recorded a few singles for Dixie Records. Johns moved to Atlanta, where he signed with General Recording in 1973. His first solo recording was “Early Morning Love” (1973), which was a minor chart hit.
Chevy Van and Beyond
Johns’ biggest success came with the single “Chevy Van” (1975), which reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over three million copies. The song was about a young man who picks up a hitchhiker and has a romantic encounter with her in his van. The song was considered a classic of the “free love” era and inspired a movie of the same name in 1977. Johns co-composed the score for the film and his song was featured prominently on the soundtrack.
Johns switched to Elektra Records, where he released singles such as “Common Man” and “Love Me off the Road”. He also became a successful songwriter for other artists, especially in the country genre. John Conlee had a No. 1 hit with Johns’ “Common Man” in 1983, which became his theme song. Waylon Jennings sang Johns’ “America” at a celebration of the restoration of the Statue of Liberty in 1985, which earned him a gold record and a nomination for country song of the year. Conway Twitty scored his final No. 1 hit with Johns’ “Desperado Love” in 1986.
Death and Legacy
Johns died on January 4, 2013, at Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia, North Carolina. According to Wikipedia, he died of unknown causes, but according to Charlotte Observer, he may have suffered a stroke or been electrocuted while working on an old lamp at his home. He was survived by his sister and his son.
Johns’ death was mourned by many fans and fellow musicians who remembered him as a talented and humble artist. His songs have been covered by many artists over the years, such as Sammy Kershaw, Fu Manchu, and Eric Church. His signature song “Chevy Van” has been featured in several movies and TV shows, such as Starsky & Hutch1, Supernatural3, and That ’70s Show. His music lives on as a testament to his creativity and passion.
