Johnnie Harrison Taylor was born in Crawfordsville, AR, on May 5, 1934 (though he usually gave his birth year as 1938); he grew up mostly in nearby West Memphis. He began singing in church as a young child and later moved to Kansas City, where he performed with a gospel group called the Melody Kings; it was through this outfit that he initially met and befriended Soul Stirrers frontman Sam Cooke. In 1953, Taylor left home and moved to Chicago, where he joined the doo wop group the Five Echoes; shortly thereafter, he began performing concurrently with the gospel group the Highway Q.C.’s, which had once been home to Sam Cooke. In 1957, Taylor would replace Cooke in the hugely influential Soul Stirrers, after Cooke departed for a career in secular music.
[Source]
Come on …shake it up, shake it down….move it in, all around…Disco Lady!
Who’s Making Love….to your ole lady? Fellas…take note!!! HA!!
Be sure to visit all O.S.F. participants…cause the party ain’t ova! 
| Quick | Regina | Cassandra |
| MarvalusOne | AJ | Rosemarie |
| Marcus LANGFORD | Lisa C | Kreative Talk |
| Electronic Village | invisiblewoman | sHaE-sHaE |
I Am Chocl8t 
Happy OSF! I knew the music of Johnny Taylor, but not his personal story. Thank you for dropping the knowledge along with the good sounds!
My Old School Friday posting today features The Whispers.
peace, Villager
Go on, girl! These songs take me back to those gatherings at my grandma’s; you know, playing cards, lots of drinking and loud talking, and laughter…good times!
My first introduction to Mr. Taylor. Very nice, indeed.
I played too. with Richie Havens.
Have a great weekend.
u know my church was up street from stax and my folks used to write music and work out of that camp, and met JT when i was in elem school
Oh yeah, you brought it way back.. I haven’t heard this in years! LOL
Nice songs Choc. Enjoy your weekend.
my parents stayed somewhere playing his music! The very first song is my favorite!
“Shake It Up, Shake I Down, Move In, Move It Out, Disco Lady.”
My husband and took swing out lessons, and this was one of the swing out jams.
We listened to plenty of Johnny Taylor, so I was happy when you e-mailed me your choice. The second song my mama wore out, hmmmm.
This one takes me back. My Mom’s and her cronies (as she called them) played the mess out of Johnny Taylor at every gathering.
Happy OSF, our contribution is here:
http://therealready.blogspot.com/2008/04/musical-interlude-old-school-friday_18.html
Now that is definately OLD SCHOOL!!
Nice choice!
Agree with Regina–this is old school for reals for reals 🙂
What’s really good with Johnnie’s high-water tapered pants. He should consider pullin’ his shoes up a bit :-] Nonetheless…nobody is out making love to my ol’ lady…LOL.
I’m soooo glad all of you enjoyed Mr. Johnny Taylor. I was so excited about posting and Disco Lady has been stuck in my head for a week and a half. Yeah, I got an early start!! LOL
If wasn’t for the girl…siting next to me. I’d jump right out..right out of my _____ seat.
Now if only someone could tell me what the hell he said…I’d be happy! See y’all next week!!! 🙂
The only reason I know of his music is because my mother has an extensive collection of his music. From what I have eavesdropped on it is definitely better than some of the crap that they are playing these days. Thanks for providing his mini-bio. Sam Cooke is another one of my mothers favorites.
Who’s making love is definitely speaking to the brothers out there , take heed.
Enjoy your weekend.
Gurl I love me some him, another one of my faves he sings is–cheatin in the next room.
Love him good Choice.
I am going to get on your ole school friday next week.
I am so excited.
While living in Memphis, I worked at a joint that only played blues and local musicians. We’d be jamming to Who’s Makin’ Love and Booker T and the MG’s. Speaking of old school we went to see Earth Wind & Fire this weekend. Man! They were the BOMB!
I know Disco Lady well, but the second tune is a favorite of a local oldies singer back home. He jams to this, but I enjoyed the artist’s version as well. JT is a major talent! Did you note all his hit singles? Thanks for posting the short bio. OSF is much more than enjoying tunes for me.