Louis Johnson (bassist)

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Louis Johnson
R&B
  • funk
  • soul
  • jazz
    • Occupation(s)
    • 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

    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

    His work appears on many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on

    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

    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

    Temptations, Toshiki Kadomatsu and The Supremes
    .

    Death

    Louis Johnson died on May 21, 2015, at the age of 60.</ref> The cause of death was oesophageal bleed </ref> death certificate </ref>

    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

    [5]

    Collaborations

    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

    1. 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. ^ "Hal Leonard Corporation – Closer Look Video". Halleonard.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
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