“Along with and with the blessing from Denise’s family I’ve set this fundraiser up to pay for her funeral,” Eastwick wrote in the description. “We all miss her and loved her dearly. Please help if you can.”

Johnson’s death has been mourned especially by the dance music community. She was enlisted to sing on two songs from rock band Primal Scream‘s 1991 album, Screamadelica, which achieved crossover success among acid house fans on account of Andrew Weatherall‘s contributions.

Johnson went on to collaborate with the likes of The Pet Shop Boys and New Order. In 2018 she released an acoustic rendition of the latter’s 1987 single, “True Faith,” which was to appear on her self-titled debut album, Where Does It Go, slated for release on September 25th, 2020.

At the time of writing, the fundraiser for Denise Johnson’s funeral has amassed nearly £19,000 of its £20,000 target. Donate via GoFundMe.

Johnson’s friend, Sue Langford, confirmed her death via Twitter. “The singer Denise Johnson has died suddenly at home in Manchester,” she said in a subsequent statement. “Denise had been ill in the week prior to her death but told friends she was ‘much better’ on Friday. The cause of death is not yet known, although she was discovered, holding her inhaler, on Monday morning.”

“I have so many great memories of Denise from when we were young,” tweeted English singer Rowetta. “We just used to sing and laugh like naughty schoolgirls all the time. A great loss to Manchester and music. My condolences to her family and loved ones.”

Johnson is the second Screamadelica collaborator to die this year. On February 17th, early acid house innovator Andrew Weatherall passed away after a battle with pulmonary embolism.

Most recently, Denise Johnson had delivered an acoustic cover of the New Order classic “True Faith” in 2018 that was to appear on her debut album, Where Does It Go, slated to come out September 25th, 2020. At the time of writing, it is unclear whether the album release will be postponed.