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The birth name of the influential musician Syl Johnson was Sylvester Thompson.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syl Johnson's birth name was indeed Sylvester Thompson, as documented in biographical records.
Syl Johnson was born in Chicago, Illinois.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Syl Johnson later moved to Chicago, he was born in Mississippi, not Illinois.
Syl Johnson's passing occurred in Mississippi at the age of 85.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson passed away in Mableton, Georgia, at the age of 85, not in Mississippi.
Syl Johnson's active music career commenced in the late 1940s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's active music career began around 1959, not the late 1940s.
Magic Sam, a notable blues artist, was a neighbor of Syl Johnson in Chicago.
Answer: True
Explanation: Magic Sam was indeed a neighbor of Syl Johnson during their time in Chicago, reflecting the close-knit nature of the city's blues community.
Syd Nathan, owner of King Records, suggested Syl Johnson change his name.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syd Nathan, the proprietor of King Records, was instrumental in suggesting that Sylvester Thompson adopt the professional name Syl Johnson.
Syl Johnson's early recordings for King and Federal Records achieved significant commercial success.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to achieving significant commercial success, Syl Johnson's early recordings for King and Federal Records met with limited commercial reception.
While pursuing his solo music career, Syl Johnson also worked as a professional musician in local bands.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the period of his early, less commercially successful recordings, Syl Johnson primarily worked as a truck driver, rather than as a professional musician in local bands.
Syl Johnson recorded for the Federal label, which was a subsidiary of King Records.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syl Johnson's early recording career included work for the Federal label, which operated as a subsidiary of King Records.
What was Syl Johnson's birth name?
Answer: Sylvester Thompson
Explanation: Syl Johnson's birth name was Sylvester Thompson.
In which U.S. state was Syl Johnson born?
Answer: Mississippi
Explanation: Syl Johnson was born in Mississippi, a state renowned for its deep roots in American blues and soul music.
At what age did Syl Johnson pass away?
Answer: 85
Explanation: Syl Johnson passed away at the age of 85.
Approximately when did Syl Johnson begin his active music career?
Answer: Around 1959
Explanation: Syl Johnson commenced his active music career in approximately 1959.
Which blues artist, known to be Syl Johnson's neighbor, did he associate with in Chicago?
Answer: Magic Sam
Explanation: Magic Sam, a prominent blues guitarist, was Syl Johnson's neighbor in Chicago and a significant figure in his early musical associations.
Who suggested Sylvester Thompson change his name to Syl Johnson?
Answer: Syd Nathan
Explanation: Syd Nathan, the owner of King Records, was the individual who suggested that Sylvester Thompson adopt the professional name Syl Johnson.
What profession did Syl Johnson hold besides his music career during the period his early recordings had little success?
Answer: Truck driver
Explanation: During the initial phase of his career when his recordings lacked commercial traction, Syl Johnson worked as a truck driver.
Which of these record labels did Syl Johnson record for?
Answer: Hi Records
Explanation: Syl Johnson recorded for numerous labels throughout his career, including Hi Records, which was a significant period for his output.
Syl Johnson's first solo single was titled "Different Strokes".
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's debut solo single was "Teardrops," released in 1959, not "Different Strokes."
Syl Johnson's first hit song for the Twilight/Twinight label was "Dresses Too Short".
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's first hit for the Twilight/Twinight label was "Come On Sock It to Me" in 1967, not "Dresses Too Short."
Syl Johnson's debut LP, *Dresses Too Short*, was released in 1978.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's debut LP, *Dresses Too Short*, was released in 1968, not 1978.
Willie Mitchell signed Syl Johnson to King Records in 1971.
Answer: False
Explanation: Willie Mitchell signed Syl Johnson to Hi Records in 1971, not King Records.
Syl Johnson's biggest hit single during his time at Hi Records was a cover of an Al Green song.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syl Johnson's most commercially successful single during his tenure at Hi Records was indeed his rendition of Al Green's "Take Me to the River."
Syl Johnson achieved greater commercial success at Hi Records than Al Green.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Syl Johnson had notable success at Hi Records, Al Green achieved significantly greater commercial success during the same period on the label.
Music historian Robert Pruter believed Syl Johnson's Hi Records output was of lower quality than his earlier work.
Answer: False
Explanation: Music historian Robert Pruter actually assessed Syl Johnson's Hi Records output as being of consistently higher quality than his earlier recordings.
Robert Christgau described Syl Johnson's voice on *Total Explosion* as smoother and more conventional than Al Green's.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Christgau characterized Syl Johnson's voice on *Total Explosion* as shriller and more strained than Al Green's, noting it could be a satisfying distinction.
Syl Johnson's last hit record was the title track from his 1982 album *Ms. Fine Brown Frame*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The title track from his 1982 album, *Ms. Fine Brown Frame*, is identified as Syl Johnson's final hit record mentioned in the provided materials.
"Take Me to the River" was originally written and performed by Syl Johnson.
Answer: False
Explanation: The song "Take Me to the River" was originally written and performed by Al Green; Syl Johnson recorded a notable cover version.
"Dresses Too Short" is significant as Syl Johnson's debut LP, released in 1968.
Answer: True
Explanation: The album *Dresses Too Short*, released in 1968, holds significance as Syl Johnson's debut long-playing record.
Syl Johnson's cover of "Take Me to the River" peaked at number 7 on the R&B charts.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syl Johnson's rendition of "Take Me to the River" achieved a peak position of number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975.
"Is It Because I'm Black?" reached number 11 on the Pop charts in 1969.
Answer: False
Explanation: The song "Is It Because I'm Black?" reached number 11 on the R&B charts in 1969, not the Pop charts.
"Different Strokes" charted higher on the Pop chart than "Come On Sock It to Me".
Answer: True
Explanation: Based on the provided chart data, "Different Strokes" charted at number 95 on the Pop chart, while "Come On Sock It to Me" charted at number 97, indicating "Different Strokes" charted higher.
"Ms. Fine Brown Frame" was Syl Johnson's highest-charting single on the R&B charts.
Answer: False
Explanation: While "Ms. Fine Brown Frame" charted at number 60 on the R&B charts, Syl Johnson's cover of "Take Me to the River" reached number 7, making it his highest-charting R&B single mentioned.
The single "We Did It" reached number 23 on the R&B chart.
Answer: True
Explanation: The single "We Did It" achieved a chart position of number 23 on the R&B charts during its release.
What was the name of Syl Johnson's first solo single?
Answer: Teardrops
Explanation: Syl Johnson's initial solo single, released in 1959, was titled "Teardrops."
Which song became Syl Johnson's first hit for the Twilight/Twinight label in 1967?
Answer: Come On Sock It to Me
Explanation: The song "Come On Sock It to Me" marked Syl Johnson's first significant hit for the Twilight/Twinight label in 1967.
What was the title of Syl Johnson's debut LP?
Answer: Dresses Too Short
Explanation: Syl Johnson's debut long-playing record was titled *Dresses Too Short*.
Which song, addressing social issues, reached number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart for Syl Johnson?
Answer: Is It Because I'm Black?
Explanation: The song "Is It Because I'm Black?", which addresses social themes, achieved a peak position of number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Who was the producer that brought Syl Johnson to Hi Records in 1971?
Answer: Willie Mitchell
Explanation: Producer Willie Mitchell was instrumental in bringing Syl Johnson to the Hi Records label in 1971.
Syl Johnson's biggest hit during his tenure at Hi Records was a cover of which artist's song?
Answer: Al Green
Explanation: Syl Johnson's most successful hit during his time at Hi Records was his cover version of Al Green's song "Take Me to the River."
How did Syl Johnson's commercial success at Hi Records compare to Al Green's?
Answer: Syl Johnson was often overshadowed by Al Green commercially.
Explanation: Despite his critical acclaim at Hi Records, Syl Johnson's commercial success was frequently overshadowed by that of Al Green, another prominent artist on the label.
What did music historian Robert Pruter say about the quality of Syl Johnson's Hi Records recordings compared to his earlier work?
Answer: They were of consistently higher quality.
Explanation: Music historian Robert Pruter observed that Syl Johnson's recordings for Hi Records were of consistently higher quality than his earlier material, citing improved melodies, rhythmic punch, and production.
Robert Christgau described Syl Johnson's voice on the album *Total Explosion* as:
Answer: Shriller and more strained than Al Green's.
Explanation: Robert Christgau noted that Syl Johnson's voice on *Total Explosion* was shriller and more strained than Al Green's, characterizing it as a potentially satisfying distinction.
What was Syl Johnson's last hit record mentioned in the text?
Answer: Ms. Fine Brown Frame
Explanation: The song "Ms. Fine Brown Frame," released in 1982, is cited as Syl Johnson's final hit record.
Which of the following singles was NOT mentioned as a notable release by Syl Johnson?
Answer: Sweet Home Chicago
Explanation: While "We Did It," "Back for a Taste of Your Love," and "Take Me to the River" are mentioned as notable releases, "Sweet Home Chicago" is not listed among Syl Johnson's significant singles in the provided text.
What was the peak chart position of Syl Johnson's cover of "Take Me to the River" on the R&B charts?
Answer: Number 7
Explanation: Syl Johnson's cover of "Take Me to the River" reached number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975.
What was the chart position of "Different Strokes" on the US R&B chart?
Answer: Number 17
Explanation: Syl Johnson's single "Different Strokes" achieved a position of number 17 on the US R&B chart.
Syl Johnson's primary musical contributions were as a jazz trumpeter.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson was primarily recognized as a blues and soul singer, songwriter, and producer, not a jazz trumpeter.
Syl Johnson's music is primarily associated with the genres of country and western.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's musical output is predominantly linked to the genres of blues and rhythm and blues (R&B), not country and western.
Besides singing, Syl Johnson played the guitar and harmonica.
Answer: True
Explanation: In addition to his vocal talents, Syl Johnson was proficient on the guitar and harmonica, instruments commonly featured in blues and R&B music.
Which of the following best describes Syl Johnson's primary professional roles?
Answer: Blues and soul singer, songwriter, and producer
Explanation: Syl Johnson was primarily recognized for his work as a blues and soul singer, songwriter, and producer.
"Different Strokes" gained prominence due to its inclusion on the influential *Ultimate Breaks and Beats* compilation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The song "Different Strokes" achieved significant recognition and influence primarily through its inclusion on the seminal *Ultimate Breaks and Beats* compilation, which led to its extensive sampling in hip hop.
The sampling of "Different Strokes" by prominent rappers in the 1990s led Syl Johnson to re-engage with the music industry.
Answer: True
Explanation: Discovering the extensive sampling of his song "Different Strokes" by 1990s hip hop artists prompted Syl Johnson to re-engage with the music industry, leading to a career resurgence.
Syl Johnson believed that sampling music without permission was acceptable if the original artist was compensated later.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson held a strong view that sampling music without explicit permission constituted theft, and he pursued legal action to protect his work, rather than accepting later compensation as sufficient.
Syl Johnson's song "Different Strokes" became influential primarily due to:
Answer: Its inclusion on the *Ultimate Breaks and Beats* compilation and subsequent sampling in hip hop.
Explanation: The song "Different Strokes" gained substantial influence and recognition through its inclusion on the *Ultimate Breaks and Beats* compilation, which facilitated its widespread sampling in the hip hop genre.
What discovery in the 1990s prompted Syl Johnson to re-engage with the music industry?
Answer: Learning his song "Different Strokes" was heavily sampled by rappers.
Explanation: The realization in the 1990s that his song "Different Strokes" had been extensively sampled by numerous rappers motivated Syl Johnson to re-engage with the music industry.
What was Syl Johnson's stance on artists sampling his music without permission?
Answer: He considered it theft and pursued legal action.
Explanation: Syl Johnson viewed unauthorized sampling as theft and actively pursued legal recourse against artists who used his music without proper authorization or compensation.
Syl Johnson retired completely from music in the mid-1980s and pursued no other ventures.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Syl Johnson largely retired from performing in the mid-1980s, he did pursue other ventures, including opening seafood restaurants and investing in real estate.
Syl Johnson's comeback album *Back in the Game* was released on the Hi Records label.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson's 1994 comeback album, *Back in the Game*, was released on the Delmark Records label, not Hi Records.
The 2015 documentary *Any Way the Wind Blows* focuses on Syl Johnson's early life and influences.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2015 documentary *Any Way the Wind Blows* primarily explores Syl Johnson's struggles and efforts to gain recognition and compensation for his sampled music during his later career, rather than focusing solely on his early life.
Syl Johnson's daughter, Syleena Johnson, is also a musician.
Answer: True
Explanation: Syl Johnson's daughter, Syleena Johnson, is a recognized musician who has also collaborated with her father.
Syl Johnson and his family appeared on the reality show *Keeping Up with the Kardashians*.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson and his family appeared on reality programs such as *Iyanla: Fix My Life* and *R&B Divas: Atlanta*, not *Keeping Up with the Kardashians*.
The image caption mentions Syl Johnson performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1997.
Answer: True
Explanation: The provided source material references an image caption indicating Syl Johnson's performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1997.
Reggae artists Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson covered Syl Johnson's song "Is It Because I'm Black?".
Answer: True
Explanation: The impactful song "Is It Because I'm Black?" by Syl Johnson was indeed covered by prominent reggae artists Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson, demonstrating its cross-genre appeal.
Syl Johnson collaborated with his son on his 1994 comeback album.
Answer: False
Explanation: Syl Johnson collaborated with his daughter, Syleena Johnson, on his 1994 comeback album *Back in the Game*, not his son.
Around the mid-1980s, besides semi-retirement from performing, Syl Johnson pursued which business ventures?
Answer: Opened a chain of seafood restaurants and invested in real estate.
Explanation: During his period of semi-retirement from performing in the mid-1980s, Syl Johnson engaged in business ventures, including establishing a chain of seafood restaurants and investing in real estate.
Syl Johnson's 1994 comeback album, *Back in the Game*, was released on which record label?
Answer: Delmark Records
Explanation: Syl Johnson's 1994 comeback album, *Back in the Game*, was released under the Delmark Records label.
Who is Syl Johnson's daughter mentioned as a musician in the text?
Answer: Syleena Johnson
Explanation: Syl Johnson's daughter, Syleena Johnson, is also a musician and has collaborated with him.
In which reality television programs did Syl Johnson and his family appear?
Answer: Iyanla: Fix My Life
Explanation: Syl Johnson and his family appeared on the reality program *Iyanla: Fix My Life*, among others like *R&B Divas: Atlanta*.
The song "Is It Because I'm Black?" was covered by which genre of artists?
Answer: Reggae artists
Explanation: The song "Is It Because I'm Black?" by Syl Johnson was notably covered by artists within the reggae genre.