Homeless musician responsible for Daft Punk ‘One More Time’ sample was never paid
Despite the reuse of Johns’ horn section, he is not listed as a writer on ‘One More Time'
The musician responsible for a sample used by Daft Punk in their hit single ‘One More Time’ has never received any royalties.
Eddie Johns’ ‘More Spell On You’ was the punchy disco title-track to his 1979 album which he recorded in Paris.
Johns’ story was covered by the Los Angeles Times, who reported that he has been battling with homelessness for over a decade after a stroke left him unable to work.
Read this next: Daft Punk have split up
Alyssa Cash, Johns’ case manager, told the Los Angeles Times: “I help Eddie use the computer sometimes, and he showed me some of his music.
“He showed me his album cover, and when I found this video talking about how it was sampled by Daft Punk, it was like a lightbulb went off. 'That’s Eddie, this is his song'.”
Despite the reuse of Johns’ horn section, he is not listed as a writer on ‘One More Time’.
The rights to the recording which was released in France on the label Président were acquired by GM Musipro, a publishing company that reissues vintage French rock and pop.
Daft Punk said they pay royalties twice a year to GM Musipro since ‘One More Time’ was released in 2000. This was confirmed by GM Musipro founder Georges Mary.
Read this next: Inside Trax Records: Why Chicago's house originators are fighting for reparations
Mary told the Los Angeles Times by email: “We have not heard from [Johns] since the day we acquired in 1995 a catalog from another label that featured this title. We have tried to do research on him, but without any result.
“For our part, we are going to study his file and do the accounts to his credit. We will get back to him immediately on this subject, at the same time as we will inform him of his rights.
“We ask you in the meantime to convey our sympathy to him.”
Read this next: Skrillex, Four Tet and Starrah have released a track together
In the interview, Johns said: “I just hope I can get some credit, you know? I’d like to have something to give to my daughter.”
Read the full report here.
Paddy Edrich is a freelance writer, follow him on Twitter