Page 21 - BiTS_09_SEPTEMBER_2024_Neat

and pastors. They seemed to know his reputation for being a womanizer and drug user,
but it didn’t affect how he was venerated.

ND: What would you say is his legacy?

GH: In my mind, Johnnie's legacy should be how he produced six decades of quality
music. Very few can be said to have done the same. He lived fast and hard, but he gave
his all when performing and delivering what his listeners wanted to hear. He was an
entertainer's entertainer, the best of the best.

ND: What’s your favourite Johnnie Taylor song - soul, blues and gospel?

GH: My favourite of all his songs is ‘Last Two Dollars’ - the lyrics are relatable and how
he delivers the message, the bass, background singers, and stellar guitar seem to emanate

the qualities I like in a song. ‘Little Blue Bird’ is my favourite pure blues song. I tend to like
the slow burners. Whenever I was in college and got down or depressed, I would put on
some slow rollers that bemoaned their situation and it made it feel like I had a friend

with similar or worse problems. It actually helped me get out of my funk - many times.
‘For The Love Of God’ and ‘Stand By Me Father’ are my favourite gospel tunes. I like these

because they focus on Johnnie's vocal quality and his technique - besides the fact he's
delivering a message we could all benefit from.

ND: How has the book been received?

GH: Great! “I Believe In You” has been sought out by many here locally as well as in
places like Memphis, Charlotte, in Georgia and especially his home state and we haven’t
even begun the promotional efforts in Dallas. We will begin marketing in Chicago and

L.A. where he was active and will probably find those areas just as interested. There’s a
lot of interest in the EU with reviews being written in France, Sweden and Belgium with,

of course, his many fans in the UK. I knew American blues artists were popular in Europe,

but had no idea of the extent - this has been a pleasant surprise. Johnnie would be
honoured to know this.

ND: Thanks, Greg, I appreciate that very much.

Norman Darwen