Meet Legacy Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind, and Fire

Q & A w/ Ralph Johnson

RAINE: What’s been a funny behind the scenes moment that you could share?

JOHNSON: We were playing in Chicago at McCormick’s Place, I got off the elevator and there was a woman, but naked, kneeling in front of my hotel door chanting. I turned around and called security. [At] my first gig in Oakland, a guy walked in to use the restroom; he was carrying a high hat, a part of the instrument from a drum set. At the beginning of the show, when I went to play, my high hat was missing. Turned out that the guy ripped off my high hat.

RAINE: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago?

JOHNSON: To get more involved in the song writing. It’s very important, especially on this end—as we get in our later years. Songwriting and publishing royalties supplement your retirement along the way. For example, I was sampled by Jay-Z in 2001, on his first blueprint CD, and it’s called Song Cry; it still does quite well.

RAINE: How would you describe a creative entrepreneur in your own words?

JOHNSON: A creative entrepreneur is one that sets goals and doesn’t follow the crowd; one that is a bit of a maverick, and in their own way marches to the beat of their own drum.

RAINE: If you had to relate what you do to sports, how would you describe how you have followed, changed, or disrupted the game?

JOHNSON: We disrupted the game, because we came with something completely new that people haven’t heard before. That brought us a lot of attention.

RAINE: If someone asked you how they could stimulate their creativity, what advice would you give?

JOHNSON: The best thing you can do is surround yourself with people of like mind. Stay around people that are creative as you are. Creativity stimulates creativity.

RAINE:  What three traits do you feel are most needed to pursue entrepreneurship?

JOHNSON: Commitment. Strong faith. Openness to new ideas

RAINE: Have you ever faced the issue of burnout in your career? If so, how did you overcome it?

JOHNSON: No, not at all. We are still feeling it, and are still in it to win it.

RAINE: Name your top three hacks for battling the loneliness of entrepreneurship.

JOHNSON: I don’t really experience loneliness, period. I suppose one reason is you have to have something away from what you do that takes up your time. You need an escape. Maybe it’s tennis, golf, or something culinary. You need to have something away from your primary mission. You have to spend some of your time being open to new ideas. You have to study things relative to your mission that broaden your knowledgebase and increase your education about what it is you are doing.

RAINE: What wellness tips do you swear by?

JOHNSON: I have a mantra. It’s drink tea, take the vitamins, and say your prayers. If you can do those three things, you are on a good program. Don’t take God for granted, and the other thing is, God is not your bellboy.

RAINE: What did you want to be when you grew up?  Has this stayed the same or changed throughout the years?

JOHNSON: In the fourth grade I knew I wanted to be a musician. My mind was set very early on, and everything I did was trying to get better at what I was trying to do.

RAINE: What major project coming up are you most excited about?

JOHNSON: I am going to curate a CD of my own stuff, stuff I have written and produced over the years. I am doing it for a new company on the West Coast called House Productions. Essentially, it will be a CD of 6 – 8 songs.

I have a tremendous love for Jazz because I was exposed to it when I was 14. Part of what I will do on this curated piece is big band stuff. I love big band swing. People like Count Basie or Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson—they were all involved in big bands that I have listened to and loved.

RAINE: Who have been the most memorable people you have worked alongside and why?

JOHNSON: Well, at the top of the list was Maurice White, the person that started Earth Wing & Fire. He was a very driven person and was very committed.

RAINE: Word to the wise: What advice would you lend to a budding talent on the rise in your chosen field?

First off, study your craft! Get with someone that can help you be a better you in whatever you are trying to do: acting, tennis, golfing, etc. Get with someone that can help you get to where you want to be. Another thing is, look at the body of work that has been done by other people in your chosen field. Believe that you can do this!

RAINE: How have you overcome the setbacks, letdowns, and obstacles of your career?

JOHNSON: You have to rethink your approach, come back, and hit again. It’s kind of like if you meet somebody, and you two don’t hit it off. Well, maybe your approach is off.

RAINE: What is your viewpoint of failure and how best to deal with it?

JOHNSON: Failure is simply trying something and not succeeding. I play tennis a lot. If I hit a ball and the ball didn’t do what I wanted or expected it to do, maybe my stroke is off. Did I get my racket back enough? Was I too late? Also, ask yourself, did you do the proper research or preparation?

RAINE: Describe yourself in five words or less.

JOHNSON: Dedicated. Caring. Sensitive (to the needs of others).