Quicklinks
Top Albums
Johnny Ace Memorial Album,
Duke
Johnny Ace: Pledging My Love,
Universal Special Products
Johnny Ace: The Complete Duke
Recordings, Geffen
The Chronological Johnny Ace:
1951–1954, Classics
Johnny Ace: Essential
Masters, Burning Fire, digital download
Johnny Ace: Aces Wild! The
complete solo sides and sessions, Fantastic Voyage
Johnny Ace Biography
FEBRUARY 21TH, 2022
Johnny Ace, June 9 1929 – December 25th, 1954, was first person to reach the Billboard pop
charts after his death. His real name was John Marshall Alexander. He had been famously
playing with a .32 revolver when, believing the gun was unloaded, he pointed it to his head
and pulled the trigger. The gunshot was fatal. Reports of what exactly happened are disputed.
He is said to be Rock n Roll’s first casualty. Ace lived fast and loose.
His musical style was the blues, in particular his most famous song “Never Let Go” was a blue
ballad. A blue ballad combines Anglo and Afro American musical styles. It has a slow temp and
is often a slow, sentimental song.
Johnny began his career in 1952 as a member of the “Beale Streeters.” He recorded “Never Let
Me Go”, “Please Forgive Me”, “The Clock”, “Yes, Baby” and “Cross My Heart.”
He is most famous for being a mellow “crooner” for “Pledging My Love” (1955). A “crooner” is
a signer who sings ‘soft, sentimental’ songs in a ‘low voice. Considered a transitional
figure between the Blues and Rock n Roll, he was the first solo black entertainer to attract
a white audience outside of historically “black” music.
Ace was said to be a black man who sang in a white style. A contemporary of Elvis, Ace was
a foil against Presley. Little is known about Ace: he died early, there are no known
interviews,
photos, film or video. Ace had eight consecutive R&B Hits: “My Song”, “Cross My Heart,”
“Please
Forgive Me,” “The Clock,” “Pledging My Love,” “Saving My Love for You,” and “Anymore” and
“Never
Let Me Go”
Ace was a womanizer who abandoned his wife and two children. According to Jean Ace, “We never
really had a marriage.” His family disapproved of his chosen career path, especially his
mother — would let his wife and children stay in her house but not Ace.
Ace’s short musical career — only 18 months — still had a meaningful impact on music. Bob
Dylan and Paul Simon have acknowledged Ace as an influence. “The music of the late ‘50s and
early ‘60s when music was at that root level—that for me is meaningful music. The singers and
musicians I grew up with transcend nostalgia—Buddy Holly and Johnny Ace are just as valid to
me today as then.” ~Bob Dylan. Never Let Me Go, probably his most famous song, was at
position 9 on the Billboard “US Rhythm & Blues” chart for 1954. The song has been covered by
famous artists including Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan.
Top Videos
PLEDGING MY LOVE
1049202 Views
Back when music actually had a meaning
This was one of the most beautiful song written and sung in the do wop era . Bless you johnny!!
THE CLOCK
129247 Views
Such a lonely sound but a masterpiece
What a wonderful discovery : Johnny Ace.Old times Wow!
ANYMORE
41535 Views
Johnny Ace, so smooth!
PLEASE FORGIVE ME
46377 Views
The late great johnny Ace as my grandparents would
say
GREAT!!!!!!!
NO MONEY
11575 Views
Solid gold i should have played this when i was
homeless
Nick Tosches brought me here.
NEVER LET ME GO
79837 Views
I finally found this BEAUTIFUL SONG♥♥♥. LOVE U
4EVER QEC.
Oow yes…Beautiful 🎶🎶👍🏻🎶🎶
MY SONG
87711 Views
How sentimental, how beautiful. I will always
remember this wonderful voice.
A soulful and charismatic voice like no other. His songs burn in my memory
CROSS MY HEART
61489 Views
Beautiful!🔥🔥
AWESOME
MID NIGHT HOURS JOURNEY
18483 Views
Lovely !!
Blues personifed. My heart is crying. The late great Johnny Ace. Up there with the best blues
singers around.
SO LONELY
11011 Views
Good song…
great song
Discography
| Johnny Ace Memorial Album, Duke | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| Johnny Ace: Pledging My Love, Universal Special Products | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| Johnny Ace: The Complete Duke Recordings, Geffen | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| The Chronological Johnny Ace: 1951–1954, Classics | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| Johnny Ace: Essential Masters, Burning Fire, digital download | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| Johnny Ace: Essential Masters, Burning Fire, digital download | US Chart: | UK Chart: | ||
| Johnny Ace: Aces Wild! The complete solo sides and sessions, Fantastic Voyage | US Chart: | UK Chart: |
Top Searches and Frequently Asked Questions
Pledging My Love lyrics
How did Johnny Ace get his name?
who was the late great johnny ace
Johnny Ace Anymore
Johnny ace my song
Most Searched For Johnny Ace Songs
| PLEDGING MY LOVE | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| so lonely | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| SAVING MY LOVE FOR YOU | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| NO MONEY | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| NEVER LET ME GO | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| PLEASE FORGIVE ME | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| MY SONG | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |
| THE CLOCK | Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon |