<p>A funeral is scheduled Monday for the man who smacked the skins for Ike and Tina Turner, the Steve Miller Band and bluesmen James Cotton and Kenny Neal.</p><p>Drummer Ken Johnson died March 19 of diabetes complications. He was 53.</p><p>Known for chomping on his trademark Juicy Fruit chewing gum and keeping the cymbals high to accommodate his long arms, Johnson was respected by musicians for his ability to drive a band.</p><p>"Ken knew just when to drop the volume down and work with the lead guy and work the music. Blues goes in waves, and the drummer is the guy driving the whole process," said musician Chuck Grundt of West Palm Beach, Fla., a friend since the 1970s.</p><p>Billed as Kenny "The Snake" Johnson, 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."</p><p>Johnson also played with the Chi-Lites at President Richard Nixon's inauguration, and once traveled to Africa to perform at the request of the State Department, said his companion, Carol Elrod of Jonesboro. Elrod added that Johnson's father would sneak him out of the house to play club gigs with Ike and Tina Turner.</p><p>In 1992, Johnson moved to Jonesboro, where he played with local musicians. His other pasttimes included fishing, cooking ribs and supervising neighborhood children who would drop by to swim in his pool.</p><p>However, Elrod said, "The thing that always made him feel the best was being behind those drums."</p><p>Survivors include two sons, Kennard Johnson of Wisconsin and Kendrick Johnson of Chicago; and a grandson.</p><p>The memorial service for Johnson is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at St. Luke Lutheran Church in McDonough. The body was cremated. Ford-Stewart Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2866690)</p>
