The music industry has suffered another big loss. Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson, who was best known as the drummer for the pioneering funk band The Time, has died. He was 69.
A Chicago native whose mother moved the family to Minneapolis when he was young, Johnson joined the band Flyte Tyme as a teenager, which included Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He played drums and guitar. Johnson collapsed at his home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park just days after his birthday on Nov. 19.
Known for his height, sharp suits and his top hat, Johnson played for several bands in the Minneapolis area throughout his career, but was best known as the drummer in The Time. Prince created the band, writing, recording and playing on its self-titled debut in 1981 before he even had any musicians together…