johnson was under a federal indictment for drug conspiracy when he died of congestive heart failure on july 7, 1968, at the age of 62. he was at wells restaurant in harlem shortly before 2 a.m., and the waitress had just served him coffee, a chicken leg, and hominy grits, when he keeled over clutching his chest. friend frank lucas was there, and someone ran down the street to the rhythm club to get his childhood friend, junie byrd. when byrd arrived, lucas cradled bumpy in his arms, and johnson briefly opened his eyes and smiled, then fell into unconsciousness. he was taken, by ambulance, to harlem hospital where he was pronounced dead. he is buried in woodlawn cemetery in the bronx, new york city.