Johnny Williams and the Jokers had a Number 1 record in Houston in 1964 with "Long Black Veil" on the local Pic 1 Records.
Johnny’s career with the Jokers started as a fluke, as least as far as he was concerned. After mustering out of the Air Force, he wandered into the Dome Shadows, a popular Houston club, where he was brought on stage by the bandleader, having studied with Henry “Blue Boy” Hubbard and played guitar with Joe Tex. What Johnny didn’t know was that the vocalist was leaving the group. After his performance that night, he was offered the gig and at the age of 23, fell into their contract with Pic 1 Records.
The original A side was “Dearest Darling,” but the all-night disc jockey on KILT started playing the other side, “The Long Black Veil,” which first became a hit by Lefty Frizzle and then again by Johnny Cash. “Won’t You Forgive” was also recorded at that time.
Johnny Williams continued to have a successful Houston-based singing career, lasting over 40 years and encompassing all of the local luminaries, like Mickey Gilley.
