Ken Johnson, who was drummer for acts including Ike and Tina Turner, the Steve Miller Band, Kenny Neal and bluesmen James Cotton, died on March 19, 2005 of diabetes complications. He was 53.



Known for chomping on his trademark Juicy Fruit chewing gum and keeping the cymbals high to accommodate his long arms, Ken Johnson was respected by musicians for his ability to drive a band.



Born as Kennard Johnson, but billed as "The Snake", the percussionist played 13 years with the James Cotton Blues Band and recorded two albums with the Steve Miller Band - 'Fly Like an Eagle' and 'Book of Dreams'.



Ken Johnson also played with the Chi-Lites at President Nixon's inauguration, and once traveled to Africa to perform at the request of the State Department, according to his companion, Carol Elrod of Jonesboro.



It was at a Christmas parade in his native St. Louis that Ken Johnson realized drums would be his life. "He said the bass drum sent chills up his spine," Ms. Elrod said. "He played his mama's pots and pans and got his first set of drums, Ludwigs, bright red, for his 16th birthday."



She said his father would sneak him out of the house to play behind Ike and Tina Turner in clubs. He moved to Chicago and joined the James Cotton Blues Band in the early 1970s. After 13 years, "he was ready for a different groove," Ms. Elrod said. "He wanted to get out of the Chicago sound, which was more of a shuffle. He went to New Orleans and played with Louisiana Red."



Ready for another challenge, he joined Kenny Neal's band in 1990. They had met in New Orleans, and Mr. Neal knew his sound was missing that punch that Ken Johnson had. He toured and recorded with Mr. Neal for 13 years.



His snare work was real, real crisp. It was all wrist action, no pounding. His meter was impeccable. He never missed a beat. It became like a clock. It was almost hypnotic.



Touring all over the world gave him an ongoing interest in international affairs. His most memorable trip was to Africa to perform at the request of the State Department, Ms. Elrod said.



Ken Johnson moved to Jonesboro in 1992. When not touring or playing with local musicians Deacon Blues and Theodis Ealy, he could be found fishing, cooking ribs or frying a turkey to entertain his friends or supervising neighborhood children swimming in his pool.



"The thing that always made him feel the best was being behind those drums," Ms. Elrod said. The bass drum from his original bright red Ludwig set is now a coffee table in his living room...