Net Worth Ranker
What Is Syl Johnson’s Net Worth?
Syl Johnson, an American blues and soul singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer, had a net worth of approximately $6 million. This fortune was amassed over a long and successful career in music, marked by hit records and shrewd business ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Sylvester Thompson, who would later be known as Syl Johnson, was born on July 1, 1936, near Holly Springs, Mississippi. The precise location was Lamar, Mississippi, a county bordering Holly Springs. He was the sixth child in a family with deep musical roots; his father was a farmer who played the harmonica. In approximately 1950, his family relocated to Chicago, Illinois. This move proved pivotal, as they became neighbors with the blues guitarist Magic Sam. This proximity significantly influenced Johnson’s early musical development, leading him to collaborate with other blues artists such as Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and Howlin’ Wolf in the 1950s. Early on, Syl sang and played with Magic Sam and other blues heavyweights. Johnson began his recording journey in 1959, playing guitar on sessions for Jimmy Reed. He made his solo debut in 1959 with “Teardrops” on Federal Records, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, the label owner, suggested he change his name from Sylvester Thompson to Syl Johnson. Despite these early recordings, Johnson did not immediately achieve mainstream success and continued to work a day job as a truck driver.
Musical Career and Key Milestones
Johnson’s career began to gain momentum in the mid-1960s when he started recording for Twilight/Twinight Records in Chicago. His first hit with the label was “Come On Sock It to Me” in 1967. In that year, Johnson released “Different Strokes,” a track that would later become one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop history. Another notable song from this period was “Is It Because I’m Black,” released in 1969, which reached number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song became an anthem during the civil rights movement, reflecting the socio-political climate of the era. It showcased his ability to blend soulful melodies with socially conscious lyrics. These early successes laid the groundwork for his later achievements.
In 1971, Johnson joined Hi Records, where he worked with producer Willie Mitchell. Together, they recorded three albums, which generated a number of singles. These albums, produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, contained the hits “We Did It,” “Back for a Taste of Your Love,” and his rendition of “Take Me to the River,” his biggest success, reaching number 7 on the R&B chart in 1975. However, at Hi Records, Johnson was always to some extent in the shadow of Al Green, commercially if not artistically. His recordings for King and Federal had met with little success, and he had also kept a day job as a truck driver.
After his time with Hi Records, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label. The second of these, the soul/funk “Ms. Fine Brown Frame” (1982), was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records. In the mid-1980s, Johnson largely retired from performing. In the Nineties, Johnson learned his classic song ‘Different Strokes’ had been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, MC Hammer, and the Geto Boys. He released the album ‘Back in the Game’ for the Delmark Records imprint. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his daughter Syleena Johnson. His last hit was “Ms. Fine Brown Frame” in 1982.
Business Ventures and Other Income Sources
During his semi-retirement in the mid-1980s, Syl Johnson ventured into the restaurant business. He opened a chain of seafood restaurants called Solomon’s Fishery in the Chicago area. In a few years, Syl Johnson was employing more than 100 people, and had started one of the first black-owned national restaurant franchises in the country. These restaurants became a significant source of income for Johnson. He said that he bought the Church’s Chicken storefronts “for little or nothing” following a rumor that the establishment sterilized black men. He also invested in real estate during this period, further diversifying his income streams.
Later Career and Legacy
In the 1990s, Johnson’s music experienced a resurgence when his songs, particularly “Different Strokes,” were sampled by numerous hip-hop artists. This renewed interest led to his return to the music industry. Johnson re-emerged on the music scene in the 2000s, working at Royal in Memphis. He recorded with his daughter, Syleena Johnson, and collaborated with Rev. Charles Hodges. A retrospective box set of his early recordings was released in 2010 by the Numero Group, and in 2015, a documentary titled “Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows” was released, highlighting his life and career. In 2019, Johnson was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a significant figure in blues and soul music.
Discography
Syl Johnson’s discography includes a significant number of albums and singles, showcasing his versatility and longevity in the music industry. His notable albums include:
- Dresses Too Short (1968)
- Is It Because I’m Black? (1970)
- Back for a Taste of Your Love (1973)
- Diamond in the Rough (1974)
- Total Explosion (1975)
- Uptown Shakedown (1979)
- Ms. Fine Brown Frame (1982)
- Back in the Game (1994)
- Talkin’ About Chicago (1999)
- Two Johnsons Are Better Than One (2002)
He also released numerous compilations and singles throughout his career, contributing to his financial success and lasting impact on music.
Additional Details
Syl Johnson was born Sylvester Thompson on July 1, 1936, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He passed away on February 6, 2022, in Mableton, Georgia, at the age of 85. He was the brother of blues musicians Jimmy Johnson and Mack Thompson. Syl Johnson’s daughter, Syleena Johnson, is also a singer, adding to the family’s musical legacy.
Syl Johnson’s net worth of $6 million reflects his successful career as a blues and soul singer, his entrepreneurial ventures in the restaurant business, and his real estate investments. His music continues to be celebrated and sampled, ensuring his ongoing influence in the music world.
