Johnnie Taylor [ tickets ], who was dubbed the “Philosopher of Soul” by Stax Records publicists in the late ‘60s, died at a hospital near Dallas on Wednesday (5/31) after apparently suffering a massive heart attack at his home. He was 62.

A native of Crawfordsville, Ark., Taylor began singing with doo-wop group the Five Echoes in the ‘50s, but first gained national attention when he replaced Sam Cooke in R&B group the Soul Stirrers in 1957.

Though probably best known for his biggest hit “Disco Lady,” which topped the charts in 1976, Taylor was said to have been more comfortable singing R&B and gospel, and was an important part of the stable of artists at Memphis’ Stax Records. He signed with the influential label and 1966, and topped the R&B charts with “Who’s Making Love” in 1968.

Taylor remained with Stax until the label was shuttered in 1975, churning out a string of R&B hits that included "Take Care of Your Homework," "Jody's Got Your Girl," and "Cheaper to Keep Her." He then signed with Columbia Records, where he recorded “Disco Lady.” He departed the label in 1982, feeling that he had been unfairly pigeonholed as a disco artist.

Two years later, he signed with the independent soul label Malaco Records, where he remained for the remainder of his life.