Louis Johnson (bassist)
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| Louis Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 13, 1955 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Funk, R&B, soul,(Jazz) |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
| Years active | Early 1970s–present |
| Label(s) | A&M Records, Capitol Records, Starlicks Videos, Hal Leonard Publishing |
Louis Johnson (born April 13, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, United States) is an American musician regarded as one of the best bass guitarists of the 20th century. Best known for his group The Brothers Johnson and his session playing on several hit albums of the 1970s and '80s including the "best selling album of all time" Thriller. His signature sound is from the Music Man StingRay bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote, and from his slapping technique.
His work appears 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 album 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 tremendous ability, he was nick-named "Thunder-Thumbs". Many slap bassists have been given the moniker, however it is Johnson that the name first originated with. His slap bass playing arrived soon after Larry Graham brought it into the mainstream, and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.
His most prominent slap bass lines include 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, Stay With Me The Night) among others.
An excellent example of his thumb playing can be seen on the Earl Klugh song "Kiko". Without any plucking at all, Johnson sets an complicated funky bassline using combination of counter point slapping with right hand using right thumb, counter point with left hand middle finger as a mute tec. it's called a slap choke, thus creating a percussive sound like drums, adding to the bass notes,}L.E.J.
His style incorporates more funk plucks in combination with his thumping which along with the Music Man StingRay sound gives a very funky, unique sound.
He was the bassist on Earl Klugh's 1976 jazz/pop album Finger Paintings plus Earl's 1977 jazz/pop Living Inside Your Love, as well as Quincy Jones' 1975 release Mellow Madness.
[edit] Collaboration
Louis Johson has recorded and performed with the following artists (list in alphabetical order):
[edit] 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 |
| 1985 | Evolution | Album | Capitol | Europe-exclusive solo release by Louis Johnson |
| 1985 | Starlicks Master Sessions | VHS Video | Starlicks | Louis Johnson instructional video re-issued on DVD by the Hal Leonard Company |
