Mike Johnson started out in the Chicago
club scene which led to his involvement
in the The Mike Bloomfield Blues band.
The group recorded one album, "I'm
Cuttin Out," for Columbia Records,
produced by John Hammond SR, with
Charlie Musclewhite on Harp and John
Hammond Sr. producing.
From the first gig, The Exkursions
became a college campus phenomenon.
Playing to thousands per night for three
years the band toured the United States
extensively and released an independent
album, "The Exkursions."
Leaving Bible College, Mike Johnson
teamed up with with drummer, Phil
Johnson and Spencer Keyes on the organ.
For two and a half years the Exkursions
performed and communicated through their
music in concerts on every major college
campus in the east.
Through the involvement of John
Ankerburg, a Chicago area minister, the
group worked with a project hosted by
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.
Planning on music and speaking for an
evangelistic push on 28 area campuses,
their first set drew 1,500 people which
led to performances at College campuses
throughout the Chicago area.
The project was a tremendous success.
That summer drummer Phil Johnson gave
his life to the Lord and attended a
leadership camp with Mike in Michigan
where they met John Guest. After playing
for the attendees at the camp, John
invited Phil and Mike to Virginia to
play in a month-long coffee house
project in Virginia Beach. Adding a few,
temporary members, they played at the
"Upstairs" for five consecutive summers
drawing thousands to the location each
year.
Their real impact wasn't realized until
the addition of bass player Leon Wilson,
a North Carolina musician who had
been touring with 'The Poor Souls"
throughout the East Coast club scene.
The power of Leon's playing gave the
band a new edge and for the next two
years they played on hundreds of
campuses across the country. They also
set up for Easter week in FT. Lauderdale
Florida and, as the first band to have
access to the Beach Band stand after
7 PM, were able to play for thousands
and give their testimony of faith in
Jesus.
In 1969, John Guest was able to arrange
a gig with the Billy Graham Crusade in
New York City. Playing with Thurlow
Spur's musical ensemble for over 1500
kids, New York newspapers
printed, " Billy Graham uses Rock N'
Roll and mini skirts to reach kids!"
[ from
Mike Johnson Music]
