The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Johnnie Taylor

Three things to know about Johnnie Taylor:

1. When Sam Cooke left the Soul Stirrers, Johnnie was chosen to be his replacement. But after an auto accident when Taylor ran over a little girl in 1960, he was booted from the Soul Stirrers and went to Los Angeles, California, intending to preach full time.
 In 1963, however, Sam signed Johnnie as the first artist on his new SAR label. Still stinging from being kicked out of the Soul Stirrers and determined to find his place in the music marketplace, Johnnie began recording secular music.
2. Johnnie credited Junior Parker, Joe Turner, and Louis Jordan as early secular influences.

3. In 1966, Johnnie signed with Stax Records, where Stax exec Al Bell dubbed him the “Philosopher of Soul.” Sporting a new flamboyant style, he proceeded to become one of the label’s top-selling performers, outselling Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.

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