Rob Johnson, a 41-year-old working in business development for a London law firm, has taken on a unique hobby that has brought forgotten pop songs back to life. Over the last six years, he has been responsible for 725 releases, including tracks by Sting, Cher, and Annie Lennox, with a focus on late 90s pop acts.
Johnson’s journey began in 2016 when he helped his friend Jan Johnston, a trance vocalist, get her music catalogue online. From there, he started contacting record labels to release more obscure songs that had been lost in the digital void. His efforts have led to the resurrection of songs like Victoria Beckham’s debut single, Out Of Your Mind, which was missing from streaming services until 2018.
The process of rescuing these songs involves checking contracts, sourcing original recordings, and providing streaming services with metadata. But when it works, artists are thrilled with the results. Maria Nayler, known for singing Robert Miles’ hit One And One, had her unreleased album finally released in January 2023 after years of being shelved.
Another artist, Alexis Strum, who was signed and dropped by major record labels in the early 2000s, had two fully-completed albums that were never released. With Johnson’s help, Warner and Universal not only handed over Strum’s masters but also agreed to write off her debts. Her song Cocoon has now reached 500,000 streams, much more than Universal anticipated.
Johnson’s efforts have not only brought joy to fans but have also given artists a sense of closure and cataloged music for future generations. As he continues his mission to bring forgotten pop songs back to life, he is making a significant impact on the music industry and preserving the legacy of these hidden gems.
