The name “John Blackwell” is associated with several notable individuals across diverse fields:
John Blackwell Jr. (1973–2017):
An American drummer renowned for his work in contemporary R&B, funk, jazz, fusion, and pop music. He gained prominence as a member of Prince’s New Power Generation band from 2001 to 2004. Blackwell also performed with artists like Patti LaBelle and D’Angelo. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 43.
John Blackwell (born 2004):
A talented American college basketball player who plays as a guard for the Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team in the Big Ten Conference. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 203 pounds, he hails from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
In the 2024–2025 season, Blackwell averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 45.2% from the field. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2024 and the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in 2025.
John Blackwell Sr.:
The father of John Blackwell Jr., he was a professional drummer who performed with groups such as The Drifters and The Spinners. Before transitioning to a career in electrical engineering, he introduced his son to drumming at a young age, influencing his musical path.
Charles Blackwell (born 1940):
A British musical director and arranger known for his collaborations with artists like Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. He arranged the hit song “What’s New Pussycat?” for Tom Jones and “Release Me” for Engelbert Humperdinck. Blackwell also worked with Marlene Dietrich and Françoise Hardy, among others. He passed away in August 2024 at the age of 84.