Louis Johnson interview

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I stumbled across this interview. Sadly Louis passed 2 years later.. I never knew he did so much studio work . Connection g with Quincy Jones seemed to have great benefit.
Louis , Bernard , Marcus , and Carol all had their own style and sound that was sought after by others.

I’m not sure if Bernard read music but Louis was self taught. I know Marcus and Carol had great reading skills

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I stumbled across this interview. Sadly Louis passed 2 years later.. I never knew he did so much studio work . Connection g with Quincy Jones seemed to have great benefit.
Louis , Bernard , Marcus , and Carol all had their own style and sound that was sought after by others.

I’m not sure if Bernard read music but Louis was self taught. I know Marcus and Carol had great reading skills

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Bernatf Edwards probably could read because he was a saxophonist in high school. This is a great interview.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Bernatf Edwards probably could read because he was a saxophonist in high school. This is a great interview.

Ever since I came across this interview , I’ve been jamming The Dude album . Man I love the title track. Louis Johnson at his best !! I had forgot that I saw Louis with Q / Patti Austin/ James Ingram in 82 at the Budweiser SuperFest along with Ashford and Simpson , Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Skyy. What a lineup !!!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Ever since I came across this interview , I’ve been jamming The Dude album . Man I love the title track. Louis Johnson at his best !! I had forgot that I saw Louis with Q / Patti Austin/ James Ingram in 82 at the Budweiser SuperFest along with Ashford and Simpson , Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Skyy. What a lineup !!!

That would have been a great show.

 

[Big Fat O]

He played bass on half of Thriller.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

@LadyLoveStingRay5, you have probably seen this before, but it might enlightening to others.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

@LadyLoveStingRay5, you have probably seen this before, but it might enlightening to others.

Yes I have seen it before many times . But I just noticed something. George said they told Quincy they were into Sly meaning Family Stone. So that settles the great debate on whether or not he was influenced by Graham. Sure Louis developed his own style but that Graham influence was there. I’ve only heard him mention Jamerson as an influence . I can clearly see his style being mixed with Jamerson and Graham. Louis also grabbed notes with his thumb on the low E like Hendrix did with guitar.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Yes I have seen it before many times . But I just noticed something. George said they told Quincy they were into Sly meaning Family Stone. So that settles the great debate on whether or not he was influenced by Graham. Sure Louis developed his own style but that Graham influence was there. I’ve only heard him mention Jamerson as an influence . I can clearly see his style being mixed with Jamerson and Graham. Louis also grabbed notes with his thumb on the low E like Hendrix did with guitar.

Louis apparently had some ego and pride issues vis a vis Larry Graham. I remember LJ saying he was unimpressed with Graham after the Brothers Johnson toured with GCS. God rest Louis Johnson’s soul, but that sounded like some haterade.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Louis apparently had some ego and pride issues vis a vis Larry Graham. I remember LJ saying he was unimpressed with Graham after the Brothers Johnson toured with GCS. God rest Louis Johnson’s soul, but that sounded like some haterade.

That would not be a nice thing for Louis to say . Growing up in a a house full of brothers and being the youngest probably contributed to his competitive nature .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Louis apparently had some ego and pride issues vis a vis Larry Graham. I remember LJ saying he was unimpressed with Graham after the Brothers Johnson toured with GCS. God rest Louis Johnson’s soul, but that sounded like some haterade.

I will add this. I know Ive posted this video on several occasions, but Louis has a style that is unlike that of Larry Graham. He describes it as kung fu moves from his years of study and friendship with Bruce Lee. I can see that. He puts his entire body into his right hand chops and pops and pulls and taps. Larry is more wrist action. Louis also didn't use effects like Larry did.

 

[jerry]

Somebody who influenced a lot of slap players but isn't as well known as those two, was Doug Rauch. You can hear a lot of his influence on Marcus.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Somebody who influenced a lot of slap players but isn't as well known as those two, was Doug Rauch. You can hear a lot of his influence on Marcus.

I have to listen him more. I have a Billy Cobham album he was on. Too bad that drugs got him.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I will add this. I know Ive posted this video on several occasions, but Louis has a style that is unlike that of Larry Graham. He describes it as kung fu moves from his years of study and friendship with Bruce Lee. I can see that. He puts his entire body into his right hand chops and pops and pulls and taps. Larry is more wrist action. Louis also didn't use effects like Larry did.

No doubt, Louis brought something unique to the table. I just do not believe he was slapping before Graham. Louis was 14 when Thank You Fattetin Me Be Mice Elf Agin dropped. I do not believe Graham was not an influence for Louis Johnson.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

No doubt, Louis brought something unique to the table. I just do not believe he was slapping before Graham. Louis was 14 when Thank You Fattetin Me Be Mice Elf Agin dropped. I do not believe Graham was not an influence for Louis Johnson.

We agree!! That’s what I was saying before.

It’s nice when you can see the influence that evolves into their own personal style.

Kind of like Marcus Miller . I think Larry mixed with Jaco mixed with Jamerson when I think Marcus Miller.

 

[ToddB1963]

After 40 odd years of listening to them, I think this is my favorite Brothers Johnson track. I particularly enjoy when Louis switches gears at 3:34, starts thumping along in the verse and rides the groove home. The bass tone is perfect (Sabre?)

 

[Dr. Cheese]

After 40 odd years of listening to them, I think this is my favorite Brothers Johnson track. I particularly enjoy when Louis switches gears at 3:34, starts thumping along in the verse and rides the groove home. The bass tone is perfect (Sabre?)

I have heard he used a Sabre for this album.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

 

[Dr. Cheese]

 

[Les Fret]

Somebody who influenced a lot of slap players but isn't as well known as those two, was Doug Rauch. You can hear a lot of his influence on Marcus.

I very much doubt if Marcus was influenced by Doug. Did you read that somewhere in a Marcus Miller interview or so? Would like to know on what you base that. Thanks.

 

[jerry]

I very much doubt if Marcus was influenced by Doug. Did you read that somewhere in a Marcus Miller interview or so? Would like to know on what you base that. Thanks.

He's mentioned it, Marcus was hanging around Lenny White's band when Doug was in it if I remember correctly. The one popular descending line in Run For Cover that Marcus uses a lot is pure Rauch for instance. Double thumping as well.