Johnny Allen

American pianist and R&B arranger (born Uchee, Ala., Sept. 20, 1917, died Detroit Jan.29, 2014). Grew up in Chicago and arrived in Detroit in 1936. Was an arranger for Motown, Stax & several labels owned by Don Davis (2). He got national fame in 1972 sharing a Grammy Award with Isaac Hayes for their arrangement of Theme From Shaft. His contributions to Detroit’s musical culture spanned some seven decades. He was also hired by Rev. C.L. Franklin to teach his daughter, Aretha Franklin, to play the piano.