Johnny Young
Born January 1, 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Died April 18, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois

Young was an accomplished guitarist and singer, but he felt the mandolin was his first instrument

Circa 1929: Began to become interested in music.

1930s: Started playing at house parties. Learned various styles from the Chatman Brothers and other local musicians.

1940: Moved to Chicago where he was active both in clubs and on Maxwell Street until his death.

1946-47: He appears to have begun playing regularly on Maxwell Street just after the war. First recorded with cousin Henry Williams for the Ora-Nelle label, run by Maxwell Radio Shop owner Bernard Abrams, in 1947.

1948: Recorded for Planet with Henry Williams and Snooky Pryor

Early-mid 1960s: Made several recordings with Little Walter, Otis Spann, and others

1969: Joined the Bob Riedy Chicago Blues Band

1972: Toured Europe as a member of the American Folk Blues Festival