releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/legendary-pianist-johnnie-johnson-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/legendary-pianist-johnnie-johnson-to-receive-congressional-gold-medal | Legendary Pianist Johnnie Johnson To Receive Congressional Gold Medal | 2016-11-27 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | Legendary Pianist Johnnie Johnson To Receive Congressional Gold Medal Sunday, November 27, 2016 By: Brian Feldman Legendary jazz pianist and Montford Point Marine Johnnie Johnson will posthumously receive the Congressional Gold Medal Monday morning at the National Blues Museum. The late World War II veteran’s widow, Frances Johnson, will accept the award on his behalf. “It makes me so proud. I’m still thoroughly amazed at the man I married,” Frances Johnson said. “I’m just ecstatic. The whole family is just flying so high right now with pride.” Johnson lived in St. Louis and is among the greatest jazz and blues piano players in history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “He was a much better piano player than people gave him credit for. Everybody gave him great accolades for what he was doing but I heard even better things. And I was his worst critic,” Johnson said. Bill Stalnaker was one of Johnnie Johnson’s best friends. “At four years old he got his first piano and he was pretty gifted. His mother said ‘Oh my. It’s a gift from God,'” Stalnaker said. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill helped pass legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to all Montford Point Marines who trained for duty at the segregated Montford Point facility in North Carolina. Previously, the Marine Corps was all-white and African-Americans were forced to serve in a separate unit. Johnson endured significant racism and inspired social change during that time. He began his illustrious musical career following his service. Johnson died in April 2005. Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |