Johnny Ace

Born: June 9, 1929 Died: December 25, 1954 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.Johnny Ace is actually a blues artist, who sang with a lot of soul. He started his recording career at SUN. He started out as a singer after serving in the Navy during World War II. In 1949, Johnny played the piano in Memphis, with a band led by Adolph Duncan. The band's vocalist at the time was a nineteen year old named Robert Calvin Bland.In 1952 Johnny recorded two songs for the well known Memphis based SUN label, both songs were never issued and are today considered "lost". After that he began recording for Don Robey's Duke records out of Houston Texas. He recorded a song in 1954 written by Robey and Ferdinand Washington called "Pledging my love". On Christmas eve of that year, while on a promotional tour of concerts, Johnny was playing Russian Roulette backstage at the City Auditorium in Houston, and accidently shot himself. He died the next day (Christmas day) and his song went on to become one of the biggest top hits of 1955.Not even close. Johnny Ace had already compiled a substantial chart record, scoring a bevy of Top 10 "race" hits, including two ..1 singles ("My Song" and "The Clock"). Subsequent to his death, Duke issued a new single, the mournful "Pledging My Love," which became a huge hit in 1955. "Pledging My Love" breached the pop Top 20 while spending an astonishing 10 weeks atop the rhythm & blues charts. The song's otherworldly aura gives the spooky impression that Johnny is, indeed, pledging his love - from beyond the grave!