Performance · Production

John Barnes

real name John Joseph Barnes

John Barnes is credited on 1,801 releases across 387 albums tracked on Gatefold, active 1970–2026 — the collector-built map of who actually made the music.

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Photo of John Barnes

1,801

Credits

387

Albums

6

Decades active

725

In collections

Biography

source

Showing the Discogs bio

US pianist, keyboardist, synthesizer player, arranger, songwriter from Los Angeles, CA. Passed away in March 2022.
Began in the early 1970s at Motown. Worked with artists such as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross, and Julio Iglesias. Musical director for The Miracles. As a musician, John Barnes made one of the world’s most recognizable opening piano riffs for Gloria Gaynor’s timeless, classic hit, "I Will Survive". Related to Sharon Barnes. Father of John Barnes III (LA Jay), who has been active since the late 80s.

Bio from Discogs

Credited work

1,801 releases · 387 albums · active 1970–2026

  • Performance · 3,360
  • Production · 252
  • Other credits · 239
  • Engineering · 2

Studios: Studio 55, Los Angeles · Larrabee Sound Studios · Lion Share Recording Studios · Kendun Recorders

Discography

Records they worked on — most-collected first.

Frequent collaborators

Around the web

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