Johnnie Taylor

Biography

Johnnie Taylor, known as the 'Philosopher of Soul,' was born on May 5, 1934, in Crawfordsville, Arkansas. Raised by his grandmother in West Memphis, he began singing in church at age six, developing a passion for both gospel and blues. As a teenager, Taylor moved to Kansas City and joined the gospel quartet the Melody Kings, later befriending Sam Cooke, who would become a pivotal influence. By the early 1950s, Taylor was recording with the doo-wop group the Five Echoes in Chicago, and soon after, he joined the Highway QCs, a group previously led by Cooke and Lou Rawls. In 1957, Taylor succeeded Cooke as lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, further cementing his reputation in gospel music.

Taylor's transition to secular music began in the early 1960s when he signed with Cooke's SAR label, releasing singles like 'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day.' After SAR folded following Cooke's death, Taylor signed with Stax Records in Memphis in 1966. At Stax, he became one of the label's top-selling artists, blending gospel, R&B, and blues into a distinctive style marked by smooth vocals and emotional depth. His 1968 hit 'Who's Making Love' became a signature song, earning him his first gold record and a Grammy nomination. Taylor's career reached new heights in 1976 with 'Disco Lady,' the first single ever to be certified platinum, solidifying his place in music history.

Throughout a career spanning nearly five decades, Taylor's versatility allowed him to cover a wide range of African-American genres, from gospel and blues to soul and disco. His legacy endures as a trailblazer who bridged sacred and secular music, influencing generations of artists and leaving an indelible mark on American music.

Fun Facts

• Johnnie Taylor's 'Disco Lady' was the first single in history to be certified platinum, selling over two million copies.
• He was dubbed the 'Philosopher of Soul' by Stax executive Al Bell.
• Taylor was an ordained minister and preached his first sermon at Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago.
• He often claimed to be four years younger than his actual age; his true birth year was not revealed until after his death.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Sam Cooke - Friend, mentor, and inspiration; Cooke encouraged Taylor to pursue a secular career and signed him to SAR Records. (SAR Records singles including 'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day') [1950s–1964]

Key Collaborators

• The Soul Stirrers - Taylor replaced Sam Cooke as lead singer in this influential gospel group. (Gospel recordings and performances) [1957–1960]
• The Highway QCs - Taylor sang lead in this gospel quartet, following Cooke and Lou Rawls. (Recordings such as 'Somewhere to Lay My Head') [1955–1957]
• Stax Records house musicians (e.g., Booker T. & the MGs) - Studio musicians on his Stax recordings, contributing to his signature soul sound. (Hits like 'Who's Making Love', 'Cheaper to Keep Her') [1966–1975]

Artists Influenced

• Bobby 'Blue' Bland - Taylor's blend of gospel and blues influenced Bland's soul-blues style. (Later soul-blues recordings) [1970s–1980s]
• Southern soul and blues artists - Taylor's crossover success and vocal style inspired a generation of Southern soul and blues singers. (Works by artists like Tyrone Davis, Little Milton) [1970s–2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Last Two Dollars (Good Love!)
2. Disco Lady (Eargasm)
3. Who's Making Love (Who's Making Love...)
4. Good Love (Good Love!)
5. I Believe In You (You Believe In Me) (Taylored In Silk)
6. Soul Heaven (Gotta Get the Groove Back)
7. We're Getting Careless With Our Love (Taylored In Silk)
8. Running Out Of Lies (Eargasm)
9. Sending You A Kiss (Good Love!)
10. Too Many Memories (Good Love!)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #disco, #r&b, #soul