Johnny Gill Artistfacts

May 22, 1966
Johnny Gill was born in Washington, DC and got an early start: At age 5 he began singing gospel music with his brothers in church. He released his first solo album in 1983 when he was just 16.
He nearly pursued a career in electrical engineering instead of becoming a singer.
In 1987 he became a new addition to New Edition, replacing Bobby Brown. This was the first member change for the group, which grew up together in Boston.
He's childhood friends with R&B/gospel singer Stacy Lattisaw, who encouraged him to record the demo that attracted the attention of Atlantic Records. He would record two albums with the label before joining New Edition.
He frequently performed duets with his old pal Stacy Lattisaw. Their 1990 single "Where Do We Go From Here" was a #1 hit on the R&B chart.
Just before he joined New Edition, renowned producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis secured him a solo deal with MCA under the condition that they produce him. After New Edition broke up in 1990, Gill went solo, joining Motown Records with Jam and Lewis producing his self-titled album that year, which includes the hits "Rub You the Right Way," "My, My, My" and "Wrap My Body Tight." All three songs hit #1 on the R&B chart.
In 1997 he formed the supergroup LSG with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat.
He made his acting debut as a singing janitor in the short-lived 2005 sitcom Cuts, starring Shannon Elizabeth.
Gill did the finger snaps on Janet Jackson's #1 hit "Escapade" from her Rhythm Nation 1814 album, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. On the album he's credited for "percussion, special effects, finger snaps."

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