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DJ Paul Johnson, the Chicago house music icon who influenced artists such as Daft Punk, died Wednesday morning from a battle with Covid-19, according to his agency. He was 50 years old.
“Our greatness passed away this morning at 9 am, the house music legend we all know as PJ alias Paul Johnson passed away on this day of August 4, 2021,” read a statement on the Johnson’s Facebook page. “Rest in heaven Paul.”
Johnson was a teenager when he became a DJ in the mid-1980s, according to Billboard. He started producing in 1990 and released hundreds of records throughout his career, the magazine reported. His 1999 single, “Get Get Down,” spent 18 weeks on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart and eventually reached number 1.
According to Billboard, the song became an international hit and topped the charts in Canada, the UK, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands and France.
Daft Punk, one of the most influential and popular bands to emerge in the past 30 years, paid homage to Johnson in the song “Teachers”, citing the names of the duo’s musical influences. Johnson’s name was the first mentioned on the trail.
As news of Johnson’s death spread, condolences poured in on social media.
“A reminder that all the music we love and consume today, regardless of genre, has roots and pioneers that have sparked new inspiration,” DJ Charlie Tee tweeted. “Paul Johnson, we are eternally indebted to you and your musical genius for leading the way.”
In a Twitter post, DJ Paypal wrote: “Thanks for what you did for the music.”
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