ACE, JOHNNY

b. John Marshall Alexander, Jr., 9 June 1929; Memphis, TN

d. 25 December 1954; Houston, TX

Ace served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and returned to Memphis in 1946 to perform with several groups, including the B. B. King and the Beale Street Boys group. After King and Bobby Bland left the group, Ace renamed the group the Beale Streeters. He joined the Duke label in 1952 and scored a #1 hit with his first release, “ My Song.” Following releases were hits as well: Cross My Heart,'' The Clock,'' Never Let Me Go,'' Please Forgive Me,'' and Saving My Love for You.''

Ace died tragically at the age of twenty-five. His death was attributed to Russian Roulette, despite widely circulated rumors of murder and career manipulation, and came at the peak of his career. That year, he had been voted most programmed artist of the year by a Cashbox magazine poll.

Following his death, his career culminated with the release of Pledging My Love.'' It is an anthem to love and youthful angst; its success was fueled partially by the mystique surrounding his tragically young death and its soulful rendition of what would turn out to be an R&B standard.

Unfortunately, few recordings exist for Ace. In his brief career, virtually everything was released in the months following his death. The limited amount of material does not, however, diminish his role as an essential troubadour of this phase of R&B music in America.

Bibliography

Salem, James M. The Late Great Johnny Ace. Urbana-Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 1984.

Discography

My Song (1952, Duke-102).

Anymore (1955, Duke-136).

Johnny Ace Memorial Album (1955, Duke LP-70).

Memorial Album for Johnny Ace (1957, Duke DLP-71).

Johnny Ace Memorial Album (1974, Duke X-71).