John Jacob (J.J.) Malone (August 20, 1935 – February 20, 2004) was an American West Coast blues, electric blues and soul blues guitarist, singer, keyboardist, record company executive and night club owner. His best-known recordings were "It's a Shame" and "Danger Zone". Malone was a member of the Rhythm Rockers, and he variously worked with other musicians, such as Troyce Key, Jill Baxter, Al Green, Joe Simon, Etta James, Scott McKenzie and Frankie Lee.
Malone was born in Peets Corner, Alabama. When he was a child, Malone bought an old, beat-up acoustic guitar from a second cousin which he taught himself to play while recovering from an appendix operation. His father, Charlie Malone, was an accomplished bottleneck guitarist and although a staunch Christian, showed J.J. a few blues chords on the instrument. Malone began singing at local churches, and at 17 years old started dancing and performing rhythm and blues at chitlin’ parties, fish fries, family gatherings, and teen parties. His style was greatly influenced by Lightnin 'Hopkins, Louis Jordan, Washboard Sam, Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Muddy Waters.
In the mid-50s he spent a year in the Air Force and then formed his first band, the Rockers, later called Tops In Blues. Once out of the armed services in 1957, he formed the Rhythm Rockers in Spokane, Washington, and they worked all over the west coast. After moving to California in 1966, he found more regular employment in the music industry and had local hit singles with "It's a Shame", "One Step Away", and "Danger Zone". Malone met the record producer Ray Shanklin and was subsequently employed as a record company executive at Fantasy Records (and its subsidiary Galaxy) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He subsequently had records issued by the Red Lightnin’, Cherrie, Paris Album and Eli Mile High labels.
At Galaxy, Malone worked alongside Little Johnny Taylor, Big Mama Thornton, Sonny Rhodes and Creedence Clearwater Revival. With the singer and guitarist Troyce Key, he bought Eli's Mile High Club, a nightclub in north Oakland, California. In the 1970s, Eli's Mile High acquired a reputation for supporting West Coast blues artists. In 1980s, the duo appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival.
Malone appeared in conjunction with Key on the albums I've Gotta a New Car (1980, Red Lightnin' Records), and Younger Than Yesterday (1981, Red Lightnin'). Malone returned to performing as a solo artist in the 1980s, and continued to record until 2001. He released three solo albums, including Highway 99 (1997).
Malone was a soulful vocalist, adept on both piano and guitar and was equally convincing whether turning his hand to straight blues, rocking R&B, or funk-influenced material. He died of cancer in Hawaii, in February 20, 2004, at the age of 68. He was buried next to his father on March 2, 2004, at Ragland Cemetery in Limestone County, Alabama.
(Edited from
Wikipedia, AllMusic Online Archive of California)