Pop fans pay tribute at funeral of Primal Scream singer Denise Johnson, 56

Pop fans have today paid tribute at the funeral of Primal Scream singer Denise Johnson, heralding her as a ‘pioneer of the Manchester music scene’. 

Over 100 mourners stood outside Manchester Crematorium to pay their respects to Johnson, while others watched the service online via a live-stream.

The 56-year-old, who ‘died suddenly’ after an illness last month, shot to fame for her work on Primal Scream’s critically acclaimed 1991 album Screamadelica.  

Johnson was born and raised in Hulme, Manchester. She began her career with US soul band Maze during a tour across England in the late 1980s.  

The talented performer also loaned her vocals to tracks with a string of other artists such as The Pet Shop Boys, Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr’s group Electronic. 

Restricted numbers inside the crematorium meant mourners were asked to line the route of the funeral procession through Chorlton.

DJ Dave Haslam and TV personality Terry Christian were among those who attended and applauded as the cortege arrived at the crematorium in Barlow Moor Road.

The coffin, which was black with Denise written on the side in silver, was in a silver carriage pulled by two horses and had sunflowers laid on the top of it.

One mourner carried balloons in the shape of hearts and stars and some people were in tears at the sight of the funeral procession.

The service began with the musician’s 1994 single Rays Of The Rising Sun.

In a eulogy, cousin Sandra Hardial said Johnson had sung with a number of bands and become a ‘pioneer of the Manchester music scene’ in the late 1980s and 1990s.

She said: ‘Many knew her as an icon of the UK music scene but for me Denise was my best friend who I loved and adored.’

She said a debut solo album by Johnson was due to be released in September.

Friend Sue Langford said: ‘The music she made throughout her life will be her legacy. It will continue to comfort us and help us to heal but also to inspire us and bring us joy.’

Another cousin, Lloyd Hardial, described Johnson’s childhood growing up in Manchester, adding: ‘A prouder Mancunian I have never met.’

The poem Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou was read and Just A Little More, which Johnson recorded with Fifth Of Heaven, was played.

The service ended with a recording of Johnson singing True Faith by New Order, one of many groups she performed with.

Following her death, tributes were paid by stars including Johnny Marr and Peter Hook, as well as Primal Scream.

A family statement, posted on the website of band A Certain Ratio, who Johnson sang with, said: ‘Everyone in Denise’s family has been stunned by how much love has poured from friends and colleagues around the country and from all corners of the world: they’ve found it so supportive after Denise’s sudden death, and their message to you all is, simply, ‘Thank you’.’ 

Johnson performed with Primal Scream in 1990-95, featuring on two of the band’s most famous songs – Higher Than The Sun and Don’t Fight It, Feel It. 

She had announced on social media that her debut acoustic album, titled Where Does It Go, would be released on September 25.   

In a statement last month, her family said: ‘Denise had been ill in the week prior to her death but told friends she was ‘much better’ on Friday. The cause of death is not yet known, although she was discovered, holding her inhaler’. 

Fellow Primal Scream band member Simone Marie Butler tweeted in the hours after her death was announced: ‘Very sad news love and prayers to Denise’s family and loved ones. Rest in Power Denise Johnson x.’ 

Joy Division’s Stephen Morris wrote: ‘Shocked and devastated to hear of the passing of Denise Johnson. An absolutely beautiful lady. Rest In Peace Denise x.’ 

And Indie band The Doves tweeted: ‘We are all devastated to hear the news that our old friend and all round beautiful person Denise Johnson has passed away. What a loss for the many people who loved her.’ 

‘From Nina Simone to Julie Andrews’: Manchester-born ‘pioneer’ Denise Johnson describes her musical style and journey to award-winning fame in her own words

By Jack Wright for MailOnline 

Manchester ‘pioneer’ vocalist Denise Johnson once listed as her influences Diana Ross, Gladys Knight – and Julie Andrews from ‘The Sound of Music’.

The Primal Scream singer – who died aged 56 suddenly last month – once told how she began performing at a fashion show at The Ritz in Manchester.

She also described recording with Scottish band Primal Scream as ‘more like going for a night out and you might do a bit of singing in between’.

In an interview with Louder Than War, Johnson told the website: ‘The first music I remember listening to was the soundtrack album of The Sound of Music. 

‘It must have been my Mum’s, the song that always had me intrigued was ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ must’ve been something to do with the yodelling!

‘The first serious music I’d have listened to would’ve been Reggae and Ska, with my Mum being Jamaican.

‘There were always loads of house parties that the kids would be allowed to stay up for a certain amount of time, before being packed off to bed.

‘I started singing properly when at The Ritz in Manchester taking part in a fashion show, taking the p*** and therefore not being picked for any part of the show that I noticed there was a band onstage, I went over to see what was going on.

‘(I) was then told auditions were being held to find singers for a vocal band, the band manager comes over, says ‘if you sing half as good as you look, you’re in!’

‘I’ve never had conventional singing lessons, I learnt how to sing from my Mum’s record collection which was stuff like Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Simon & Garfunkel and the top 40 by listening to the radio. My early singing influences were Abba, Kate Bush, Karen Carpenter and The Stylistics.’

Talking about Primal Scream, Johnson continued: ‘I’d been singing at a local recording studio called Spirit Studios, which was a great experience in learning the ins and outs of recording. 

‘There I met a band called Hypnotone who were Tony Martin and Martin Mitler who wanted me to sing on a track they’d done called ‘Dream Beam’.

‘They were then signed to Creation Records and Tony from the band had been doing bits of programming for Primal Scream in the studio in London.

‘Bobby Gillesie and the band had written a song called ‘Don’t Fight it Feel it’ that he didn’t feel he could sing… and thought it’d be good to have a female voice sing the lead vocal. Much to Alan McGee’s dismay. He didn’t feel the band having someone else other than Bobby singing was a good idea. Tony suggested me.

‘Recording with Primal Scream was nothing like I’d experienced before. It was more like going for a night out and you might do a bit of singing in between!’