ALAN JOHNSON
Very sadly, in 2022, we lost Alan Johnson who played lead guitar for Mungo Jerry mainly in the 90’s, originally ‘depping’ for Tim Green on gigs where Tim was unable to make it.
Alan gave us an interview in February 2004 when we ran the old Mungomania website, and after requests from fans, we have now added it to the current website.
WE KNOW YOU FIRST APPEARED IN MUNGO JERRY DEPUTISING FOR TIM GREEN, HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?
Tim Green couldn’t easily make it over to England, and there were a load of English gigs to do. After my first gig ‘depping’, Ray supplied me with a gig sheet for the whole year, which included gigs in Germany and Switzerland. It went from there.
HOW WELL WERE MUNGO JERRY KNOWN TO YOU BEFORE THAT?
I knew all the members of the band apart from Ray. I was familiar with several of the songs. My favourites were Baby Jump, Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black and Lady Rose.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO PLAYING GUITAR?
I was at boarding school in Germany and bought my first Hendrix album, which inspired me to play. I borrowed a guitar and never looked back.
CAN YOU GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ON YOURSELF?
My Dad was in the Army and was stationed in Hong Kong when I was born. We subsequently moved to Devon, where I spent most of my youth, apart from a brief spell in Germany.
WHICH BANDS HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH?
I have done session work for many bands, including the Bay City Rollers, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Tytan, Blackfoot Sue and worked on a project with Ray and the boys playing on a Bay City Rollers album, I did some tasteful harmony guitar work! I worked in a band with Rhiannon Wolfe from Suzi Quatro’s band.
We recorded some very fine originals. That’s all I can think of at the moment. I’ve done far more live work than recording work. I was asked to join Iron Maiden in the early days but turned it down – we all make mistakes!!!
YOU ARE ONE OF A NUMBER OF OLD BAND MEMBERS WHO CAME FROM THE READING AREA – LES CALVERT, SIMON BAKER, STEVE JONES, JAMEI ROBERTS ?
Simon Baker and I played in the same band before we joined Ray.
There was a gig in Switzerland for the Bikers Clubhouse where played for FIVE HOURS!. Everyone was having such a great time, it just went on and on…
ARE THERE ANY PARICULAR MUNGO JERRY NUMBERS THAT YOU ENJOY PLAYING?
Baby Jump!
WHAT IS IT LIKE PLAYING IN RAY DORSET’s BAND?
Good fun! He’s a great guy and a good friend.
ANY FUNNY STORIES FROM THE ROAD?
One particular story springs to mind. When Les had too many beers before the gig and he fell backwards off the stage. Not too funny for him though as he broke his bass!
WHAT ABOUT THE BANDS YOU PLAY WITH NOW?
I play in two bands now, both with the same members. Plane Jane is a rock covers band. Solid Gold caters more for functions…more middle of the road stuff. In the band apart from myself are three other; Lara Johnson, my wife on vocals, rhythm guitar, Jon Playle, bass guitar, backing vocals and Lee Neal on drums and backing vocals.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE GIGS AT THE PROCESSED PEA, HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU PLAY THERE WITH RAY?
Yes! I think it was about three times. Once when Jamei was the drummer and then with Simon.