Louis Johnson (bassist)
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The Brothers Johnson's bassist, Louis Johnson (born 13 April 1955, in Los Angeles) is regarded as one of the best bassists of the 20th century. His signature sound is from the musicman bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote. His work appears on the Brothers Johnson albums and many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on Michael Jackson's albums "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" and 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 "Rise".
When it comes funk bass playing, Johnson is one of the prime candidates who was used for session bass playing. His speed, accuracy and sheer creativeness is equal to no other.[citation needed] Due to his tremendous ability, he was nick-named "Thunder-Thumbs". Many slap bassists have been given the moniker, (Mark King), 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" to this very day.
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), Jeffrey Osborne (Self titled album) 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 unbelivably funky bassline with just his thumb.[citation needed]
His style incorporates more funk plucks in combination with his thumping which along with the musicman sound gives a very funky, unique sound, comparable to no other. Many feel Stanley Clarke fits into this category as well, yet Clarke is more of a fusion bass player with more finger style playing as opposed to slapping and popping.
Johnson worked closely with Michael Jackson to create the bass lines for his hit songs "Billie Jean" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". He played the double bass and bass guitar on Michael Jackson's 1991 album "Dangerous", and 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".
Louis Johnson new music can be found on his official Website.
This artical is not about Brothers Johnson. Please locate the Brothers Johnson web
visited Louis Johnson on the web at louisjohnson.info
[edit] Collaboration
Louis Johson has recorded and performed with the following artists (list in alphabetical order):
Categories: All pages needing to be wikified | Wikify from March 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | 1955 births | Living people | African American musicians | American double-bassists | American bass guitarists | Bass guitarists | Double-bassists | Funk musicians | American session musicians | American funk musicians
