Augie's Side Effect

Augie Johnson, a Leo, was born in New Orleans, but moved to L.A. when he was five (his father is a musician). Augie began to play the clarinet at age six; two years later he was playing in the American Legion Band. When he was ten, he joined Bob Mitchell’s Boys Choir, and toured with them for four years. He also sang on "High Hopes" with Frank Sinatra.While in junior high Augie took up tenor and alto saxophones, and formed his first band, “The Jazztronauts.” During his years at Washington High School, Augie was active in both instrumental and vocal groups, playing in several and forming a couple of his own. Augie went to Los Angeles City College, majored in music, and met Louis Patton.Then the Army got him. Johnson spent his two years as an entertainment specialist—producing and participating in all kinds of functions, both on the base and in the community.By January 1972, Augie was back home in L.A., and he looked up his old friend, Louis Patton. In May of that year, Side Effect was formed. The group has played many clubs in Los Angeles, and has toured Canada. Augie has done lots of session work too, with the Temptations, Mac Davis, Stanley Turrentine, Marvin Gaye, Funk Inc., Leon Haywood, and many others.The birth of Side Effect began in the year 1972 with founder and leader Augie Johnson and members, Lomita Johnson, Jim Gilstrap, Gregory Matta and Louis Patton. It only took a few months before the group signed their first record deal with a company called Avenue of America-Gas Records, with whom they recorded their first album, “Effective”.Although this relationship was terminated one year later, Side Effect continued to evolve. They changed female lead vocalists, from Lomita Johnson to Sylvia Nabors, and soon joined At-Home Productions, a production company headed by Wayne Henderson of the Jazz Crusaders. One month later, they signed with Fantasy Records and recorded four albums: Side Effect “What You Need” which has the hit singles, “Always There” and “Keep the Same Old Feeling”, “Going Bananas” and “Rainbow Vision”. Sylvia Nabors did an excellent job on the first album, but by the time “What You Need” was recorded, Helen Lowe, now gospel superstar Helen Baylor, was the new vocalist.After these four albums were completed, Side Effect left Fantasy Records and was picked up by Elektra Records. In 1990, members of Side Effect formed an all male group which they named “Flawless” under the direction and management of Mick Fleetwood and Dennis Duston. In early 1995, Side Effect reunited and immediately signed with the Dog House Record Label. The leader Augie Johnson continued to add great talent to the group. He also formed another group at that tme. The Boppers began as Side Effect's backup band in Los Angeles, but in the early '80's found limited success on their own.Originally just known as the Boppers for their first Fantasy outing in 1978 (including 'Somethings Missing'), they recorded, additionally, for both Mercury and MCA from 1980 until 1982.Followng a band name change to L.A. Boppers they then released the popular tune 'Watching Life'.The album enjoyed the vocal input of Miki Howard.There followed 'Bop Time' in 1981 and 'Make Mine Bop' in 1982.They enjoyed one Top 30 R & B single, "Is This The Best (Bop-Doo-Wah)," in 1980.The newly revived Side Effect group has added Reagae Clark, Milton Ellis and Barry Jackson. They have has performed at Disneyland’s “New Orleans Square”, Orange County Fair, Los Angeles County Fair, Chattanooga Riverbend Festival, and the North Carolina State Fair known as “Sizzle”.The artist of Side Effect have worked with: Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, The “Mexican Madonna” (Gloria Trevi), Elton John, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow and a host of others.Movie credits include: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Power Of One and James Earl Jones’, Gabriel’s Fire (ABC TV). They are in the upcoming Adam Sandler movie “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry".Commercial credits include: California Cooler, Cheerios and Mitsubishi.National Anthem credits: Don Dixon Productions, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Top Rank, Inc. and San Diego Chargers.