For 60 years, Johnny Click, of Adamsville, was front and center of the music scene in the Birmingham area. He died May 4 at his home in Adamsville after an extended illness.
Click’s two longest gigs were on 20th Street in Birmingham at Rockefellers, which became the Johnny Click Club and Band, and at the Mountain Brook Inn for 13 years. Before and after, he played at almost every joint in the area with any following. Remember Sonny Dukes? Remember Uncle Sam’s? What places have I forgotten?
He began his professional music career in the '60s. He has been playing some of the same songs here lately.
Where were you in ’62?
You could take the boy out of Adamsville, but you couldn’t take Adamsville out of the boy. He lived on Click Street in Adamsville. He had Click family all around. He even ran for Mayor of Adamsville, saying he wanted to make the town click.
Would you think that a lifelong musician would also have a day job? He did. He was a bus driver for the Jefferson County School System. So was his wife, Tricia. Not only was it steady work, but they earned a retirement. That’s something that local musicians often lack.
The dozens of fans who enjoyed his music until 1 a.m. (or later) had no idea that the lead singer/guitarist would go home and get out of bed early to drive a school bus.
Two generations of musicians in the Birmingham area played on stage with Johnny Click, and two generations of fans danced and sang along. It is a rare nightclub patron in Birmingham who did not know Johnny Click since LBJ was president.
One of his fellow musicians and friends is also quite a storyteller. Singer and bass player Mike Shell recounted his Johnny Click stories Monday after learning of his death. Shell, of Sylacauga, posted on Facebook:
Yes, Johnny Click is gone. My first thought was to reach out to his great players. Then I realized, they're gone too. Frankie Benefield, Phillip Stratton, Roger Hallmark, Jerry Motte, Cris Click, Gus Gulas, Lane Holt, Sonny Duke,Wayne Barnett and so many others...gone. We're only here such a short time.
I joined Johnny in the mid 80s after 10 years with Sonny Duke and a short stay with Bob Cain...the Big Three. I loved Johnny till the end. He was a great boss and a better friend. My days with him at Rockefellers were wonderful. Great musicians. And Johnny was the best. At rehearsal he always was prepared. He knew his part...AND YOURS. And he shared his stage and knowledge with us minions.
After I left him we remained friends. I was with him just two weeks ago. And had a visit scheduled for today. Sadly too late. We worked together, and helped each other for 50 years. I got him the job at Even Odds. He got me the job at the Eagles. And after 20 years I recommended he take my place there. And he did for eight years.
We welcomed the Russian Olympic delegation at the Birmingham airport in '96. When I told him he said "Are we gonna play"? I said "No, we gonna hold our guitars, sing to my karaoke tracks and act like we playing"! He said: "Oh Hell no"! But we did. And it worked. And we made $250 each for twenty minutes. Johnny said "we not even gonna plug our guitars in"? I said " Hell naw, they won't know the difference.... they Russians"! We didn't. And they didn't.lol. I got a lot of stories like that.
I don't know the details yet. If it was up to me we'd do the funeral at Legion field with 75,000 of his close friends and fans. I talked to Johnny several times a week. I loved that ole boy and will miss him bad. Look at that picture. Aint he purdy? That was early 90s. We were stud muffins and owned the town. Now we're old, and exiting the stage, one at a time. Soon there'll be no one left but me and Henry Lovoy
Another friend and Johnny Click’s drummer is Dwain Lawrence. He was quick to add to the Mike Shell narrative:
Me thinks you forgot Dwain Lawrence, Archie Vann, Spud Cottingham, Mark Bullington etc. We are all still here!
As Johnny’s drummer for many years, I know he loved his family, particularly his kids and grandkids. The Johnny Click Nightclub and Band were the place to be for years on 20th Street in Birmingham. We eventually moved out to the Mountain Brook Inn and never missed a beat for another 10 years! Johnny knew everybody and everyone knew Johnny and loved him. They either knew him from high school or came to the club regularly for a birthday or a wedding party and came back every year to celebrate an anniversary. He knew everybody’s favorite song that we played for their special day or the night they met at the club dancing to Johnny and the Band. We even recorded a Christmas Album CD that we sold-out! I was privileged to share the stage with Johnny Click and many fabulous musicians for over 20 years. Our family included all of our bartenders and waitress staff who were there for most of those 20 years. As most of you know we just said goodbye to Johnny’s Nephew and band member Chris Click recently, and I know they will forever make a joyful noise and start a new legacy together.
God Bless you Johnny! No one did it better and anyone that ever danced to the Johnny Click Band or played in your band will ever forget you my friend. My deepest sympathy to Tricia Park Click and Lacey and the family. Rest in Peace Johnny…Love you brother.. Dwain
Arrangements will be announced for a celebration of life. It should be quite a celebration. A musical celebration. A Birmingham celebration.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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