Died On This Date (January 21, 2010) Larry “L.A.” Johnson / Acclaimed Neil Young Documentarian
themusicsover Larry Johnson
June 11, 1947 – January 21, 2010
Larry “L.A.” Johnson was a respected filmmaker who worked with Neil Young for the better part of forty years. Coming from a similar school of film making ideals that made stars out of Martin Scorsese and Brian DePalma, Johnson’s first break came in 1969 when he was hired as a sound recordist for the Woodstock concert film. His tremendous work on the landmark film earned him an Academy Award nomination in 1971. It was while working at Woodstock that Johnson met Young, and it was thanks to that chance meeting, Johnson was soon hired by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to film a never-released concert film that captured a series of shows in 1970. Eight years later, Young hired Johnson to capture live footage for a concert movie to be called Rust Never Sleeps, which became one of the genre’s greatest films. Young went on to put Johnson in charge of his film production company, Shakey Pictures, where he produced Weld, Neil Young: Silver and Gold, Year of the Horse, Greendale and other Young vehicles. Out side of his work with Young, Johnson also collaborated with the likes of Belinda Carlisle, New Edition, Bobby Brown, and Bob Dylan. On January 21, 2010, Larry Johnson died of an apparent heart attack. He was 62.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.