02/05/2026
Today, I (DJ Joe Louis-Lewis) want to take a moment to remember my dear friend, Darryl Goodlett, on his heavenly birthday today. It has been 11 years since he left us, but I still feel his presence in every piece of music I have done. Although he is no longer with us, his spirit and memory live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him. Darryl was more than just a friend; he was like a brother to me. We shared so many good times, creating house music and having fun together in our music group, "Survival." His laughter and joy filled the room, and his energy was contagious. No matter where life took us, he always knew how to lift our spirits with a simple smile. Our group, “Survival,” was our dream, and he poured his heart and soul into every song. Today, as we celebrate his life, I can still hear his powerful voice in my mind, reminding me of how special he truly was, and that will forever stay in my heart.
As the lead singer of our group, Darryl, or Slinky as we called him, had a special talent that made him stand out in our house music group. His voice was unique, and he could sing like no one else. He could hit any vocal range, from as high as Pattie Labelle to as low as Barry White. When he took the microphone, everyone would stop and listen because he had the ability to connect with people through his voice. Even after all these years, I can still hear him singing in my mind. No one has been able to fill his shoes, and my music feels different without him. His talent was a gift that touched so many people, and while I have continued to make music, Slinky’s vocals can never be replaced. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed, but his impact on my life and the music we created together remains strong. I still talk about him and share stories, keeping his spirit alive in my heart.
As I remember Slinky today, I hope he is resting peacefully up in heaven. I have faith that the Lord has a special place for him, where he can shine brightly as he did here on Earth. I find peace in knowing he is not gone but rather, his spirit continues to shine brightly. It brings me joy to imagine the Lord using his strong vocals in heaven. I like to think that he is using his powerful voice in a beautiful way, sharing joy with everyone up there. I picture him in a beautiful place, in a beautiful, silky white suit (hence: slinky), and singing and sharing his wonderful voice with the angels. On this special day, I hope everyone takes a moment to celebrate Darryl and all the joy he brought into our lives. Slinky, you will always be a part of our lives, and your memory will continue to inspire me as I move forward, especially in our music group, Survival.
Happy Heavenly Birthday, dear friend! Your memory lives on in my music and my heart.
Until we meet again, take care!
P.S. I often reflect on our time together and the music we created. Darryl, I want you to know that I still haven’t released the last song we created together before you passed on, titled “Movin’ On, a piece that truly captures our unique collaboration and shared passion. It sits on my shelf, waiting for the right moment. It holds so many memories and a piece of our journey, and I promise that someday, it will see the light of day. And that someday is now for my final album, soon to be released on Target Records Chicago, titled “Farewell 1986-2026.” It feels important to share it with the world, a testament to our collaboration and friendship. Your spirit and talent continue to inspire me every day.
With heartfelt gratitude,
From DJ Joe Louis (Lewis)
President, CEO, and Founder of Target Records Chicago and Survival.
