1. Johnnie Harrison Taylor was an American recording artist and songwriter who performed a wide variety of genres, from blues, rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel to pop, doo-wop, and disco.
13 Facts About Johnnie Taylor
1. 2.
In 2022, Taylor was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
3.
Johnnie Taylor grew up in West Memphis, Arkansas, performing in gospel groups as a youngster.
4.
Johnnie Taylor's singing then was strikingly close to that of Cooke, and he was hired to take Cooke's place in the latter's gospel group, the Soul Stirrers, in 1957.
5.
In 1966, Johnnie Taylor moved to Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed "The Philosopher of Soul".
6.
In 1970 Johnnie Taylor married Gerlean Rocket, with their divorce finalized on May 10,2000,21 days before his passing.
7.
Johnnie Taylor appeared in the documentary film, Wattstax, which was released in 1973.
8.
Johnnie Taylor died of a heart attack at Charlton Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas, on May 31,2000, aged 66.
9.
Johnnie Taylor was buried beside his mother, Ida Mae Taylor, at Forrest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
10.
Johnnie Taylor was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
11.
In 2022, Johnnie Taylor was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
12.
Johnnie Taylor was nominated for three career Grammy Awards without a win.
13.
Johnnie Taylor was awarded the first-ever Platinum Record Award in history by the RIAA for his two-million-selling smash hit, "Disco Lady".