Johnny Lee is called the original Urban Cowboy. And for good reason.
His song “Lookin’ for Love” defines an era when country music expanded in popularity, roughly from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. Country music continued its popularity arc after that but the likes of Lee and Mickey Gilley gave way to more traditional artists such as George Strait, Randy Travis and Alan Jackson.
Lee performed here in 1982, a big-time star taking the stage at the Taylor County Coliseum. He returned a few more times. Without any more giant hits such as “Lookin’ For Love,” the venues were smaller. In 1999, he played the Ponderosa Ballroom, where rising stars mixed with those whose careers had peaked.
Lee recently opened for Trace Adkins at the Coliseum. Now, 74, Lee was not the headliner.
Yet, he endeared himself to the modest but appreciative audience.
Lee has Parkinson’s, and has had two brain surgeries since 2018. He needed assistance up and down the steps to the stage. He sat while he sang.
His effort and his love for what he does called to mind the 1990s appearance here by the Temptations. That night, fans saw longtime bass Melvin Franklin sit on a stool, stage right, while he sang. But now and then, he arose and joined the younger members of the group in their famous choreographed routines. He turned around more than he spun, and there were beads of sweat on his brow.
But, folks, it was Motown magic. It was history. It was being a professional.
He kept on truckin’, as Temptations founding member Eddie Kendricks once sang.
Franklin, also a founding member of the group, died in 1995. Music fans will remember him giving it his best his one night in Abilene.
Judging by the standing ovation for Lee, we’ll remember May 8 for a while, too.
Lee, appreciative of the response and fans singing along to his songs, said he’d keep singing until he could not.
With a new album out — with the upbeat title “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” — we expect Lee to stick around, singing “Cherokee Fiddle,” “Picking Up Strangers” and covering “Stand By Me,” which was on the “Urban Cowboy” movie soundtrack.
We say this to Johnny Lee: If you still were lookin’ for love, you found it in Abilene.
Stay healthy, and keep on pickup truckin’.
Abilene Reporter News
