Chicago soul singer Syl Johnson, whose song “Different Strokes” was frequently sampled in hip-hop, has died at the age of 85. Director Rob Hatch-Miller of the 2015 documentary about Johnson’s work, Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows, confirmed his death to NPR.
“Producing Syl’s Complete Mythology is one of our proudest moments as a label,” tweeted the archival record label Numero Group, which released a box set of Johnson’s music in 2010. “We’ll treasure the hundreds of hours spent together over 17 years. Open, yet cagey, humble but with a swagger. When caught in a lie he’d pause, shrug, and say, ‘Gotta keep some mysteries unsolved.'” Johnson’s brother, the blues artist Jimmy Johnson, died last month, according to a statement posted to his website.
Born Sylvester Thompson in Mississippi, Johnson was known for his contributions to the Chicago soul scene in the 1960s and ’70s, releasing records for the labels Twinight Records — originally named Twilight Records — and Hi Records.
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