Don Johnston

US songwriter, performer from Texas. Teamed up with his mother Diane Johnston, who had written songs for Gene Autry, to write songs for himself and cats like Mac Curtis in the 50's ("My very special baby" and "You ain't treatin' me right", "Missy Ann", "Blue Jean heart"). Don's and her mother Diane's songs varied from tough rockabilly to doowop, ballads and even rhythm and blues and early soul. Also a publisher Robert Mellin and a Mercury A&R man Clyde Otis contributed strongly in these early works. As Don Johnston the artist, his career lasted from '56 to '60, during which he recorded fine rockabilly. "Born to love one woman" was covered by Ric Cartey. His last single as an artist (Bobby Johnston) was assumedly "Cajun Queen", on Mercury records. By the early 60's, Johnston had moved into production. From '65 on, his producer talents were met with such classic albums as "Blonde on blonde" (Bob Dylan), "Sounds of silence" (Simon & Garfunkel) and "At San Quentin" (Johnny Cash). Being a staff producer, Bob worked also with Aretha Franklin, Marty Robbins, The Byrds, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Doug Kershaw and Moby Grape. With Lindisfarne he was successful on his own. In '73, Bob wrote a song with Leonard Cohen, "Come spend the morning", which was recorded by Lee Hazlewood. He also produced half an album for Carl Perkins' "Go Cat Go" in 1996. He has continued producing records, although the demand has been gradually lower over the years. This millennium, Johnston has written music for two musicals, "Theda Bara and the frontier Rabbi" ('02) and "Anne & Gilbert" ('04). In recent years Bob has produced fresh artists, like Natalie Pinks, Eron Falbo and Friday’s Child. "Born to love one woman" is a nice rockabilly tune in minor scale. It was released on Mercury label in 1956. Born May 14 1932, Hillsboro, Texas Died August 14, 2015