Louis Johnson (bassist)

Louis Johnson

Johnson in 1980.
Background information
Born (1955-04-13)April 13, 1955
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died May 21, 2015(2015-05-21) (aged 60)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • record producer
  • bass guitarist
Instruments
Years active 1973–2015
Labels

Louis Johnson (April 13, 1955 – May 21, 2015) was an American musician and bass guitarist. Johnson was best known for his group The Brothers Johnson and his session playing on several hit albums of the 1970s and 1980s including the "best selling album of all time" Thriller.[1] His signature sound was from the Music Man StingRay bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote, and from his slapping technique.

Biography

His work appears on many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on Michael Jackson's albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Dangerous, and hit songs "Billie Jean" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". He also played on George Benson's Give Me the Night. He was one of three bassists on Herb Alpert's 1979 album Rise, which included its top-10, Grammy-winning disco/jazz title-track. Due to his distinctive style, Johnson was nicknamed "Thunder-Thumbs".[2] His slap bass playing arrived soon after Larry Graham brought it into the mainstream,[2] and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.

His slap bass lines figure prominently in his work with Stanley Clarke on the Time Exposure album, his work with Grover Washington, Jr. (Hydra), George Duke (Guardian of the Light, Thief in the Night), Jeffrey Osborne (Jeffrey Osborne, and Stay with Me Tonight). The bass line for Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" has been sampled as a backing track for dozens of rap songs. An excellent example of his thumb playing can be heard on the Earl Klugh song "Kiko". Without any plucking at all, Johnson sets a complicated funky bass line using a combination of counterpoint slapping with right hand using right thumb, counterpoint with left hand middle finger as a mute tec., called a slap choke, thus creating a percussive sound like drums, adding to the bass notes. His style incorporated more funk plucks in combination with his thumping, which along with the Music Man StingRay sound gives a very funky, unique sound.[2] He was the bassist on Earl Klugh's 1976 jazz/pop album Living inside Your Love and 1977 jazz/pop album Finger Paintings, as well as Quincy Jones' 1975 Mellow Madness.

Louis Johnson died on May 21, 2015 at the age of 60.[3] His cause of death was Esophageal bleed.

Collaborations

Louis Johnson recorded and performed with the following artists (list in alphabetical order):

Solo releases

Year Title Format Label Additional info
1981 Passage Album A&M Gospel-directed album by this group, including Louis Johnson, Valerie Johnson (ex-wife) & former Brothers Johnson-percussionist/vocalist Richard Heath
1985 "Kinky"/"She's Bad" Single Capitol Europe-exclusive solo release by Louis Johnson
Co-written by Tony Haynes
1985 Evolution Album Capitol Europe-exclusive solo release by Louis Johnson
1985 Star Licks Master Sessions VHS Video Star Licks Productions Louis Johnson instructional video re-issued on DVD by the Hal Leonard Company

[4]

References

  1. ↑ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 81–82. ISBN 9780879307448. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Leslie, Jimmy (Summer 2011). "Louis Johnson". Bass Player (Slap Masters). p. 24. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Louis Johnson, Legendary Bassist, Dead at 60", The Boombox. Retrieved May 22, 2015
  4. ↑ Hal Leonard Corporation – Closer Look Video. Halleonard.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-13.
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