Louis Johnson (bassist)
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| Louis Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Louis Johnson in 1980 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | April 13, 1955 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Funk, R&B, soul, jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, record producer |
| Years active | Early 1970s–present |
| Labels | A&M, Capitol, Star Licks Productions, Hal Leonard Publishing |
Louis Johnson (born April 13, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, United States) is an American bass guitarist.
Johnson is 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.[1] 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.
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[edit] Biography
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, he was nicknamed "Thunder-Thumbs"[citation needed]. Many slap bassists have been given the moniker, but Johnson was the original[citation needed]. His slap bass playing arrived soon after Larry Graham brought it into the mainstream[citation needed], and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.[citation needed]
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).
An excellent 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 tec., called a slap choke, thus creating a percussive sound like drums, adding to the bass notes.
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[citation needed].
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.
[edit] Collaboration
Louis Johnson 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 | Star Licks Master Sessions | VHS Video | Star Licks Productions | Louis Johnson instructional video re-issued on DVD by the Hal Leonard Company |
[edit] References
- ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003). All music guide to soul: the definitive guide to R&B and soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 81–82. ISBN 0879307447, 9780879307448. http://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA81&dq=%22Louis+Johnson%22+thriller&hl=en&ei=CZV-TOKGGIO78gam_-3fAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Louis%20Johnson%22%20thriller&f=false. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ Hal Leonard Corporation – Closer Look Video. Halleonard.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-13.
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