Jellybean Johnson, the funk-pop pioneer and drummer for The Time, died on Friday, two days after turning 69.

Johnson is best known for his decades-long stint with The Time, which was created legendary musician Prince in 1981 as an outlet to experiment outside of his solo career.

Johnson’s wife shared the news of his passing in a post on his official Instagram account.

“The last photo ever taken of myself and the love of my life. It is also the last photo of Jellybean Johnson [on] November 19, 2025, Jellybean’s birthday, and sadly his last, and we spent it seeing the Purple Rain musical at the State Theater,” the post reads. “He loved it! I’ve spent 26 birthdays with you and you with me. My partner, best friend and the best father in the world.”

A cause of death has not yet been reveal

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