Michael Johns

Michael Johns was an Australian singer-songwriter who passed away from a blood clot in his leg at the age of 35 on August 1, 2014. He became famous internationally when he finished in eighth place on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008. He is also known for having been a keen tennis player and looked into it as a career before pursuing music, having briefly played Australian-rules football for the USAFL club Atlanta Kookaburras. Born January 20, 1978, Johns moved to the U.S. to play tennis but was soon signed to Maverick Records under this birth name Michael Lee. He and his band The Rising released their album, “Future Unknown” in 2003. Shortly before auditioning in 2006 with American Idol, he changed his name to Michael Johns as homage to his stepfather. American Idol changed his life and brought him international attention, rising to the Top 8 before his surprise elimination. After touring with American Idol, he soon got back to work and recorded Shaun White's soundtrack to White's documentar