Louis Johnson (bassist)

Louis Johnson

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.

Biography

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 heard on the Earl Klugh song "Kiko". Without any plucking at all, Johnson sets a 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.

Collaboration

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

Andrae Crouch Angela Bofill Anita Baker Aretha Franklin Billy Preston Bill Withers Björk The Carpenters The Controllers The Crusaders Dave Grusin David Diggs Deniece Williams Donna Summer Donn Thomas Earl Klugh Gábor Szabó George Benson Gene Van Buren George Duke Grover Washington, Jr. Hannah Freidenberg Harvey Mason Herb Alpert Herbie Hancock Hiroshima Irene Cara The Jacksons James Ingram Jeffrey Osborne

John Mellencamp Kent Jordan Kenny Loggins Lee Ritenour Leon Haywood Leslie Gore Makoto Izumitani Michael Jackson Michael McDonald Natalie Cole Patti Austin Paul McCartney Peabo Bryson Peggy Lee Pointer Sisters Quincy Jones Randy Badazz Rene & Angela The Ritz Rufus Sergio Mendes Side Effect Sister Sledge Stanley Clarke Stevie Nicks Stevie Wonder Sweet Comfort Band Temptations Toshiki Kadomatsu Vanity 6 The Brothers Johnson

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 [1]