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{{Short description|American musician (1955–2015)}}
{{Short description|American bass guitarist (1955–2015)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Louis Johnson
| name = Louis Johnson
| image = Louis_Johnson.jpg
| image = Louis_Johnson.jpg
| caption = Johnson in 1980
| caption = Johnson with his Music Man StingRay, 1980
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|bass guitar|double bass|bass synthesizer}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|bass guitar|double bass|bass synthesizer}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1955|4|13}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1955|4|13}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|2015|5|21|1955|4|13}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|2015|5|21|1955|4|13}}
| death_place = Las Vegas, Nevada
| death_place = Las Vegas, Nevada
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|record producer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|record producer}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[R&B]]|[[funk]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[jazz]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[R&B]]|[[funk]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[jazz]]}}
| years_active = 1973–2015
| years_active = 1973–2015
| label = {{hlist|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Star Licks Productions]]|[[Hal Leonard|Hal Leonard Publishing]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Star Licks Productions]]|[[Hal Leonard|Hal Leonard Publishing]]}}
}}
}}


'''Louis Johnson''' (April 13, 1955 – May 21, 2015) was an American bass guitarist. Johnson was best known for his work with the group [[the Brothers Johnson]] and his [[session musician|session playing]] on several hit albums of the 1970s and 1980s, including the best-selling album of all time, [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]''.<ref name="Bogda">{{cite book|last=Bogdanov| first=Vladimir|title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA81|access-date=September 1, 2010|year=2003|publisher=Backbeat Books| isbn=978-0-87930-744-8|pages=81–}}</ref>
'''Louis Johnson''' (April 13, 1955 – May 21, 2015) was an American bass guitarist. Johnson was best known for his work with the group [[the Brothers Johnson]] and his [[session musician|session playing]] on several hit albums of the 1970s and 1980s, including the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling album of all time]], [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]''.<ref name="Bogda">{{cite book|last=Bogdanov| first=Vladimir|title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA81|access-date=September 1, 2010|year=2003|publisher=Backbeat Books| isbn=978-0-87930-744-8|pages=81–}}</ref>


His signature sound came from the [[Music Man StingRay]] bass guitar, which [[Leo Fender]] made for him, and from his [[Slapping (music)|slapping]] technique. He is ranked number 38 on ''Bass Player'' magazine's list of "the 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".<ref name="The 100 Greatest Bass Players">{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-best-bass-players-of-all-time|website=guitarworld.com|date=January 9, 2020|publisher=NewBay Media}}</ref>
His signature sound came from the [[Music Man StingRay]] bass guitar, which [[Leo Fender]] made for him, and from his [[Slapping (music)|slapping]] technique. He is ranked number 38 on [[Bass Player (magazine)|''Bass Player'' magazine's]] list of "the 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".<ref name="The 100 Greatest Bass Players">{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-best-bass-players-of-all-time|website=guitarworld.com|date=January 9, 2020|publisher=NewBay Media}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
His work appears on many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on [[Michael Jackson]]'s albums ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'', ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'' and ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|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 (George Benson song)|Give Me the Night]]''. He was one of three bassists on [[Herb Alpert]]'s 1979 album ''[[Rise (Herb Alpert album)|Rise]]'', which included its top-10, [[Grammy]]-winning disco/jazz title-track. Due to his distinctive style, Johnson was nicknamed "Thunder-Thumbs".<ref name=BassPlayer.com>{{cite news|last=Leslie|first=Jimmy|title=Louis Johnson|work=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]|issue=Slap Masters|url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/bp_slapmasters/index.php?startid=24|access-date=June 28, 2013|page=24|date=Summer 2011}}</ref> His slap bass playing arrived soon after [[Larry Graham]] brought it into the mainstream,<ref name=BassPlayer.com /> and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}
His work appears on many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on [[Michael Jackson]]'s albums ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'', ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]'' and ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|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 (George Benson song)|Give Me the Night]]''. He was one of three bassists on [[Herb Alpert]]'s 1979 album ''[[Rise (Herb Alpert album)|Rise]]'', which included its top-10, [[Grammy]]-winning disco/jazz title-track. Due to his distinctive style, Johnson was nicknamed "Thunder-Thumbs".<ref name=BassPlayer.com>{{cite news|last=Leslie|first=Jimmy|title=Louis Johnson|work=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]|issue=Slap Masters|url=http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/bp_slapmasters/index.php?startid=24|access-date=June 28, 2013|page=24|date=Summer 2011}}</ref> His slap bass playing arrived soon after [[Larry Graham]] brought it into the mainstream,<ref name=BassPlayer.com /> and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-01 |title=Hey, what's that sound: Slap bass |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/01/whats-that-sound-slap-bass |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>


His slap bass lines figure prominently in his work with [[Stanley Clarke]] on the ''[[Time Exposure (Stanley Clarke album)|Time Exposure]]'' album, his work with [[Grover Washington, Jr.]] (''Hydra''), [[George Duke]] (''[[Guardian of the Light]]'', ''[[Thief in the Night (album)|Thief in the Night]]''), [[Jeffrey Osborne]] (''[[Jeffrey Osborne (album)|Jeffrey Osborne]]'', and ''[[Stay with Me Tonight (album)|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".{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} 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.<ref name=BassPlayer.com /> 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]]''.
His slap bass lines figure prominently in his work with [[Stanley Clarke]] on the ''[[Time Exposure (Stanley Clarke album)|Time Exposure]]'' album, his work with [[Grover Washington, Jr.]] (''Hydra''), [[George Duke]] (''[[Guardian of the Light]]'', ''[[Thief in the Night (album)|Thief in the Night]]''), [[Jeffrey Osborne]] (''[[Jeffrey Osborne (album)|Jeffrey Osborne]]'', and ''[[Stay with Me Tonight (album)|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 example of his thumb playing can be heard on the [[Earl Klugh]] song "Kiko".{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} 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 technique, 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.<ref name=BassPlayer.com /> 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]]''.


Johnson also worked with [[Andrae Crouch]], [[Angela Bofill]], [[Anita Baker]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Billy Preston]], [[Bill Withers]], [[Björk]], [[The Controllers (R&B band)|the Controllers]], [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|the Crusaders]], [[Dave Grusin]], [[David Diggs]], [[Deniece Williams]], [[Donna Summer]], Donn Thomas, [[Gábor Szabó]], [[Gordy Records|Gene Van Buren]], [[Harvey Mason]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Hiroshima (band)|Hiroshima]], [[Irene Cara]], [[the Jacksons]], [[James Ingram]], [[John Mellencamp]], [[Karen Carpenter]], [[Kent Jordan]], [[Kenny Loggins]], [[Lee Ritenour]], [[Leon Haywood]], [[Lesley Gore]], [[Makoto Izumitani]], [[Natalie Cole]], [[Patti Austin]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Peabo Bryson]], [[Peggy Lee]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Pointer Sisters]], [[A&M Records|Randy Badazz]], [[Rene & Angela]], [[The Ritz (quartet)|the Ritz]], [[Rufus (band)|Rufus]], [[Sérgio Mendes]], [[Side Effect]], [[Sister Sledge]], [[Stevie Nicks]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Sweet Comfort Band]], [[Temptations]], [[George Duke]], and [[Toshiki Kadomatsu]].
Johnson also worked with [[Andrae Crouch]], [[Angela Bofill]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Billy Preston]], [[Bill Withers]], [[Björk]], [[Dave Grusin]], David Diggs, [[Deniece Williams]], [[Donna Summer]], Donn Thomas, [[Gábor Szabó]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Hiroshima (band)|Hiroshima]], [[Irene Cara]], [[the Jacksons]], [[James Ingram]], [[Karen Carpenter]], [[Kent Jordan]], [[Kenny Loggins]], [[Leon Haywood]], [[Lesley Gore]], [[Makoto Izumitani]], [[Natalie Cole]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Peabo Bryson]], [[Peggy Lee]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Pointer Sisters]], [[Rene & Angela]], [[The Ritz (quartet)|the Ritz]], [[Rufus (band)|Rufus]], [[Sérgio Mendes]], [[Side Effect (band)|Side Effect]], [[Sister Sledge]], [[Stevie Nicks]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Sweet Comfort Band]], [[Temptations]], [[Toshiki Kadomatsu]] and [[The Supremes]].


==Death==
==Death==
Louis Johnson died on May 21, 2015, at the age of 60.<ref>[http://theboombox.com/louis-johnson-dead-60/ "Louis Johnson, Legendary Bassist, Dead at 60", ''The Boombox'']. Retrieved May 22, 2015</ref> The cause of death was [[gastrointestinal bleeding]] of the [[esophagus]].
Louis Johnson died on May 21, 2015, at the age of 60.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2015-05-22 |title=Michael Jackson Bassist Louis Johnson Dead at 60 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brothers-johnsons-louis-johnson-michael-jackson-bassist-dead-at-60-240936/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> The cause of death was esophageal bleeding.{{Citation needed|reason=Articles say cause of death is unknown|date=June 2024}}


==Solo releases==
==Solo releases==
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==Collaborations==
==Collaborations==
*'' '''With''' [[Grover Washington Jr.]]'' (CTI/Kudu 1975)
'''With [[Aretha Franklin]]'''
'''With [[Aretha Franklin]]'''
* ''[[Aretha (1980 album)|Aretha]]'' (Arista Records, 1980)
* ''[[Aretha (1980 album)|Aretha]]'' (Arista Records, 1980)
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[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
[[Category:American double-bassists]]
[[Category:American double-bassists]]
[[Category:Male double-bassists]]
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[[Category:American jazz bass guitarists]]
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[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Burials at Rose Hills Memorial Park]]
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[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]
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[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]

Latest revision as of 04:48, 31 July 2024

Louis Johnson
Johnson with his Music Man StingRay, 1980
Johnson with his Music Man StingRay, 1980
Background information
Born(1955-04-13)April 13, 1955
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMay 21, 2015(2015-05-21) (aged 60)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • bass guitar
  • double bass
  • bass synthesizer
Years active1973–2015
Labels

Louis Johnson (April 13, 1955 – May 21, 2015) was an American bass guitarist. Johnson was best known for his work with the 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, Michael Jackson's Thriller.[1]

His signature sound came from the Music Man StingRay bass guitar, which Leo Fender made for him, and from his slapping technique. He is ranked number 38 on Bass Player magazine's list of "the 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".[2]

Biography

[edit]

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".[3] His slap bass playing arrived soon after Larry Graham brought it into the mainstream,[3] and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.[4]

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 example of his thumb playing can be heard on the Earl Klugh song "Kiko".[citation needed] 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 technique, 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.[3] 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.

Johnson also worked with Andrae Crouch, Angela Bofill, Aretha Franklin, Billy Preston, Bill Withers, Björk, Dave Grusin, David Diggs, Deniece Williams, Donna Summer, Donn Thomas, Gábor Szabó, Herbie Hancock, Hiroshima, Irene Cara, the Jacksons, James Ingram, Karen Carpenter, Kent Jordan, Kenny Loggins, Leon Haywood, Lesley Gore, Makoto Izumitani, Natalie Cole, Paul McCartney, Peabo Bryson, Peggy Lee, Phil Collins, Pointer Sisters, Rene & Angela, the Ritz, Rufus, Sérgio Mendes, Side Effect, Sister Sledge, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Sweet Comfort Band, Temptations, Toshiki Kadomatsu and The Supremes.

Death

[edit]

Louis Johnson died on May 21, 2015, at the age of 60.[5] The cause of death was esophageal bleeding.[citation needed]

Solo releases

[edit]
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

[6]

Collaborations

[edit]

With Aretha Franklin

With Billy Preston

With Deniece Williams

  • I'm So Proud (Columbia Records, 1983)

With George Benson

With Michael McDonald

With Peabo Bryson

With John Mellencamp

With Barbra Streisand

With Jeffrey Osborne

With Betty Wright

  • Wright Back At You (Epic Records, 1983)

With Michael Jackson

With Irene Cara

With Patti Austin

With Bill Withers

With Donna Summer

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Backbeat Books. pp. 81–. ISBN 978-0-87930-744-8. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  2. ^ "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time". guitarworld.com. NewBay Media. January 9, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Leslie, Jimmy (Summer 2011). "Louis Johnson". Bass Player. No. Slap Masters. p. 24. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  4. ^ "Hey, what's that sound: Slap bass". the Guardian. June 1, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  5. ^ Kreps, Daniel (May 22, 2015). "Michael Jackson Bassist Louis Johnson Dead at 60". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Hal Leonard Corporation – Closer Look Video". Halleonard.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
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