A British Blues Artist with a Legacy of Rock History
Inside On Top of the World and Bluesdaddy
Will Johns
Key Takeaways
- Authenticity comes from feeling: Will Johns emphasizes the emotional depth that separates simply playing the blues from truly feeling it.
- Persistence matters: After stepping away from music and taking other jobs, Johns rebuilt his career through dedication and relentless effort.
- The guitar can be a form of emotional expression: For Johns, music provides a way to process difficult thoughts and experiences.
- Family history does not define an artist: His connection to music industry royalty is part of his story, but his career has been shaped by his own choices and work.
- Musical influences can cross genres: Top of the World blends blues with rock, jazz-inspired elements, and unexpected guitar textures.
- Mentorship and self-discovery go hand in hand: Johns’ experience learning from Eric Clapton and developing his own guitar skills illustrates both the value of guidance and independent exploration.
- Live music remains personal: The connection between performer and audience is central to the experience Johns and Terry celebrate.
- The blues continues to evolve: Emerging musicians and established artists alike contribute to the future of the genre.
Will Johns on Blues, Resilience, and the Soul of Music
British blues guitarist and vocalist Will Johns joins Terry Hudson for a thoughtful, humorous, and deeply musical conversation about finding his own path, the emotional power of the blues, and the experiences that shaped his latest album, Top of the World.
From growing up connected to music industry history to rebuilding his career after a difficult period, Johns offers an honest look at the dedication, feeling, and personal expression behind his music. Terry brings his characteristic curiosity and appreciation for authentic musicianship, creating a conversation that moves naturally between music, life, and the stories behind the songs.
Will Johns: A Blues Guitarist with His Own Story to Tell
Will Johns grew up connected to a remarkable chapter of music history. His father was involved in recording and mastering legendary projects associated with artists such as the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. However, Johns’ own musical journey was never simply about following a family legacy.
Raised by his mother in England after his parents separated, he eventually discovered more about his father’s work. By then, his focus was already firmly set on the blues—the music that moved him. Rather than relying on his family’s connections, Johns pursued his own artistic identity through dedication, talent, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
Terry’s perspective adds an important dimension to the conversation: being related to someone successful in the music industry does not automatically create a career. The drive to develop one’s own talent and navigate the challenges of the business is what matters.
The Relentless Pursuit of Music
One of the most compelling parts of the interview is Johns’ story of stepping away from music and finding his way back. Around the turn of the century, his band had disbanded after years of hard work without the financial stability he had hoped to achieve. He took a job washing dishes to pay rent and rebuild his life.
That period eventually led him to work at the Sea Life Centre in Brighton, where he gave talks about marine life and took people deep-sea fishing. His passion for the ocean became another meaningful part of his life, even as music remained a part of his identity.
Johns describes his approach to returning to music as:
“Ruthless relentlessness, you know, absolute dedication to the craft.”
That determination ultimately brought him back to recording and performing. His 2012 album, Hooks and Lines, reflected both his fishing experiences and his return to music, with a title that carried a double meaning.
What Makes the Blues Feel Authentic?
Terry and Will explore one of the central questions for any blues musician: what separates technically proficient playing from music that truly reaches people?
For Johns, the difference comes down to emotional depth. A musician can follow the structure of a blues song, but the feeling behind the performance is what makes the music connect. He believes that personal experiences, suffering, character, and the way someone processes life can all contribute to the emotional weight of their playing.
He explains the distinction through a phrase he learned from his mother:
“some people play the blues and some people play the blouse.”
The humor is unmistakably Will Johns, but the point is serious. He wants his music to do more than follow a formula. He works to create performances that carry feeling, soul, and the ability to affect the listener.
The Guitar as a Language of Emotion
For Johns, the guitar is more than an instrument. It is a way to express and process emotions that might otherwise be difficult to understand or communicate.
He describes how playing guitar has helped him work through difficult situations and thoughts. This perspective gives insight into why his performances can feel so emotionally charged: the instrument is part of his personal way of making sense of life.
Terry recognizes that quality in both Johns’ guitar playing and vocals, pointing to the combination of expressive solos, blues phrasing, and vocal power that gives his music its distinctive character.
Inside Will Johns’ Album Top of the World
Terry praises Top of the World as a significant evolution from Johns’ previous work, particularly highlighting the opening song and its powerful vocal and guitar performances.
Johns reveals that the album’s title track was inspired by an experience in Guatemala. While standing on top of a volcano overlooking Lake Atitlán, he found himself reflecting on the meaning of achievement and the loneliness that can accompany reaching what appears to be the top.
Despite the extraordinary surroundings, he was feeling ill and emotionally low. The experience led him to question what it means to achieve something if there is no one to share it with. That emotional tension became part of the inspiration for the song and the intensity of its guitar solo.
Terry also discusses the transition from Top of the World into “Loneliness Man on Earth,” recognizing the way the album moves between blues, rock, and other musical influences.
Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Unexpected Musical Directions
The album offers more than a traditional blues experience. Terry points out its variety, including elements that reminded him of jazz fusion, classic blues-rock, and even flamenco-inspired guitar phrasing.
Johns’ approach demonstrates how a musician can honor the roots of the blues while still exploring different textures and arrangements. The result is a project that retains a strong blues identity without being confined to a single sound.
The Vocalists Behind the Album
The conversation also highlights the vocal contributions that help shape the album’s sound.
- Amritha Rajan – Featured on “Move It.” Johns shares that she recorded her part before becoming widely known through Indian Idol.
- Lauren Dukes – Provides background vocals and has worked with Johns across multiple projects and tours in the United States.
Terry specifically praises the vocal arrangements, scatting, and background harmonies, noting how they add groove and depth to the project.
Learning from Blues Legends
Johns shares a personal connection with Eric Clapton that extends beyond music. Clapton taught him how to fish, and Johns recounts how he also learned the opening part of “Crossroads” from him.
When Johns asked how the next section went, Clapton told him he would have to figure it out himself. Whether intentional teaching or simply the circumstances of the moment, the advice encouraged Johns to develop his own ability to learn guitar by listening, experimenting, and working things out independently.
Johns explains that he learned by playing along with music he loved, making mistakes, and gradually discovering the notes that worked. That self-directed process became an important part of his musical development.
A Dream Come True on Stage
Johns has also had the opportunity to perform with Clapton. Even with their family connection, he describes those moments as extraordinary and dreamlike.
Terry’s appreciation for this relationship reflects the broader theme of the interview: the importance of musical history, mentorship, and the experiences that connect generations of musicians.
The Future of the Blues and the Importance of Live Music
Terry discusses the blues scene in Charlotte and his experience judging competitions connected to the International Blues Challenge. He sees exciting potential in emerging musicians and emphasizes the value of studying the history of the blues while developing one’s own voice.
Johns agrees that there are many talented young players emerging. His enthusiasm for the next generation reinforces the idea that the blues continues to evolve through musicians who understand its roots and bring fresh energy to the genre.
Why Authentic Live Performances Still Matter
The conversation turns toward the future of live music in an era of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence. Terry considers the difference between music consumed primarily for entertainment and the kind of performance where listeners connect deeply with the bass, drums, guitar, and emotional expression of a vocalist.
Johns’ live approach, including his humor and audience banter, is a natural extension of that authenticity. His performances are not simply about playing the correct notes; they are about creating a shared experience with the people in the room.
Will Johns’ Connection to the Carolinas
Although Johns had recently settled in Florida, he was visiting the United States as part of his touring schedule. Terry takes the opportunity to discuss the musical roots of the Carolinas and the growing blues scene in Charlotte.
The two express interest in making a future visit to the city happen, offering a promising connection between Johns’ touring work and rBeatz Radio’s local music community.
