Peter Johnson, a longtime resident of Belmont and former manager at Club Passim, an iconic folk venue in Cambridge, may just have the best Joan Baez story you’ve never heard.
A long time ago, while Johnson was managing the venue, Baez—a regular on the Boston music scene at the time—borrowed a record from Johnson, ostensibly to learn one of the songs.
“I’m still waiting for my record back,” Johnson said.
Johnson lives with his wife of 40 years in a Tudor-style house filled with relics commemorating a life of music, culture, and history. Photos and invitations from his recent 90th birthday party at Savino’s Grill adorn the coffee table and the surrounding furniture.
Johnson’s impact on Boston’s folk scene cannot be overstated.
The late Brian O’Donovan, host of WGBH’s “A Celtic Sojourn,” is quoted saying, “Peter Johnson was, for me, an important part of the zeitgeist of the city. His commitment to promoting folk and traditional music was always full on and often quirky. His effort contributed in a very significant way to the creation of a uniquely Boston musical atmosphere that is still enjoyed today.”
Born in 1935, Johnson grew up in Newport, Rhode Island.
In his early years, he discovered a love of folk music by listening to Irish songs sung by his family’s cook. After a brief stint in the Navy, Johnson became a fixture of the eclectic cultural scene in Cambridge and Boston. He pursued a career with Ford Models agency, and was featured in several magazines. He also had a short acting career, which opened his mind to the therapeutic nature of self-expression.
Johnson writes in his memoir, “When I acted on stage in Cambridge, I would not need to please anyone except the audience, the director, the cast, and not least—myself.”
In 1970, Johnson began managing music at Club Passim in Cambridge. Under the management of Bob and Rae Ann Dolin, the club had been converted into a restaurant, cafe and gift shop. Johnson was responsible for bringing musical performances back into the establishment’s repertoire, citing the demand among local musicians for venues and capitalizing on his extensive knowledge of folk songs and folk music.
“I ran what was called a ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lee,”)” Johnson said. “That’s a Scottish Gaelic name, sort of like an open mic. Anybody that wanted to come and play was welcome.”
Johnson hosted these open mic nights every two to three weeks, designing fliers and promoting the event to musicians and performers all around the city. Johnson tended to focus on traditional music and ballads from Scotland, Ireland, the United States, and Europe.
“I wanted to preserve the music. For me, that’s what it was all about,” he said.
He recalled performances by Mike and Peggy Seeger, the Boys of the Loch, and Joan Baez. Johnson’s time at Passim came during a golden age of folk music in Boston. In his memoir, Johnson paints a picture of a vibrant atmosphere filled with comedy, poetry, music, and culture, where the audience participated freely with the performers in the intimate setting of the club.
After his time at Passim, Johnson would found Living Folk Records, furthering his contributions to Boston’s folk scene. He produced albums and hosted artists from Scotland and Ireland, like Silly Wizard and Clannad.
Johnson now lives with his wife Lorna in Belmont. His memoir, “The Laughing Lesson,” paints a humorous and thoughtful picture of an eventful life.
“I look forward to reading from my memoir and singing with the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston,” Johnson said.
