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Syl Johnson

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Syl Johnson performs at the 32nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival in 2015. Paul Natkin/WireImage hide caption

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Paul Natkin/WireImage

Music News

Syl Johnson, Chicago soul singer widely sampled in hip-hop, is dead at 85

February 6, 2022 • The singer's 1968 hit "Different Strokes" became a popular hip-hop sample used by artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy and Kanye West.

Syl Johnson Biz 3 hide caption

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Biz 3

Review

Music Reviews

The 'Complete Mythology' Of Syl Johnson

Fresh Air

August 25, 2011 • Al Green wrote "Take Me to the River," but it was his labelmate Syl Johnson who first made it famous. Rock historian Ed Ward traces Johnson's early career, which started in Chicago blues clubs in the 1950s.

The 'Complete Mythology' Of Syl Johnson

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Syl Johnson: Soulful Like Marvin, Funky Like James

A new box set, Syl Johnson: The Complete Mythology, compiles more than 80 recordings from the late 1950s through early 1970s. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Syl Johnson: Soulful Like Marvin, Funky Like James

November 10, 2010 • Unlike Marvin Gaye or James Brown, Johnson never had massive success, in spite of a prolific career. A new box set, Syl Johnson: The Complete Mythology, compiles more than 80 recordings from the late 1950s through early 1970s.

Syl Johnson: Soulful Like Marvin, Funky Like James

Listen · 5:35 5:35

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World Cafe

Dr. Ike On The Icons Of Ponderosa Stomp

XPN

April 28, 2009 • Ponderosa Stomp is a music festival dedicated to the unsung heroes of solid American roots music. The annual event is a rocking showcase of jazz, soul, funk, rockabilly and swamp-pop combined into two days of non-stop jamming. Hear exclusive performances from Ponderosa Stomp and a chat with the festival's founder: Ira Padnos, a.k.a. "Dr. Ike."

Dr. Ike On The Icons Of Ponderosa Stomp

16:14

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