Johnny Powers – born John Pavlik on May 25, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan – was a rockabilly singer and guitarist best known for his hit “Long Blond Hair” (1957). Influenced by the music his father and uncle would play as he grew up, he began his professional career at the age of 15 under his birth name. Originally a member of the country group Jimmy Williams & the Drifters, he discovered rock and roll music and changed his musical direction. Discovered by Fortune Records co-owner Devora Brown, the newly renamed Johnny Powers released the single “Honey, Let’s Go” in 1956. Signing a new deal with Fox Records, he released the single “Long Blond Hair” in 1957, which became his best-known song. He then signed with the iconic Sun Records label and issued the single “With Your Love, With Your Kiss” in 1959. Johnny Powers met Motown Records’ Berry Gordy in 1960 and became the first white singer signed to the label. However, his attention had focused on his family and Johnny Powers chose to work behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer during the five years he was with the label. During his time with Motown, he recorded a duet with pre-Funkadelic / Parliament main man George Clinton, which remained unreleased until 1995. Inspired by the rockabilly revival in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Johnny Powers began performing again. He also released several albums including Let It Rock (1990), A New Spark (For an Old Flame) (1993) and Rockabilly Blast! (1997). His reputation as a rockabilly pioneer inspired the release of several compilations including Rock! Rock! Rock! (1986), and several collections entitled Long Blond Hair released by Norton Records and Rollercoaster Records. Johnny Powers continued to tour – mostly in Europe - late into his career. He died on January 16, 2023, at the age of 84.
