James "Jay" Johnson established himself as one of the top bass-baritone singers in the Detroit doo-wop and soul music scene during the pre-Motown years. He was a member of the Detroit group Nolan Strong & The Diablos and can be heard on the group's Fortune Records recordings from late 1956 on. While at Fortune Records, Johnson also recorded with Andre Williams' 'New Group.' He can also be heard as the dominant bass voice on Nathaniel Mayer's hit "Village Of Love".