R.I.P Louis Johnson

[raal]

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That is a great clip. I have never seen footage of the Brothers Johnson backing up Billy Preston. Louis sounded great for a 17 year old bassist in 1972 or 1973. I still say that I think Louis downplayed the degree that Larry Graham influenced him. Unless someone comes up with video of Louis Johnson slapping in 1968, I will never believe he completely came up with slapping without hearing Graham, especially after seeing a clip of him covering a Sly and the Family Stone song in 1972.

 

[acebase62]

Louis with Gospel Band "Passage" (nice solo at 3:08)

R.I.P.

 

[Alex J]

I've never seen this before - Louis with The Quincy Jones Big Band. Plays a rosewood neck Sabre for most of it, before busting out the Stingray at the end!

 

[kavision]

Is it just me to think that Music Man Should have a bass named after the Late Louis Johnson?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Is it just me to think that Music Man Should have a bass named after the Late Louis Johnson?

I don't know, it's like being a vampire now that he is dead.

 

[T-MOST]

R.I.P Louis, You will be missed!

 

[Woodstockz]

R.I.P. Louis.

The Brothers J were a big influence me.

 

[hands5]

When you get a chance, really dig into his resume'. He played so many different styles and genres that most don't know about. Even though most BASSIST only associate him with thumpin', he was so much more than that.
FF

yes he was.

 

[JimK]

Louis Johnson is on the cover of the 2015 Sept. Bass Player mag.
In the article, liver disease is mentioned...his accountant figured something was wrong when a few days passed without hearing from him.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Louis Johnson is on the cover of the 2015 Sept. Bass Player mag.
In the article, liver disease is mentioned...his accountant figured something was wrong when a few days passed without hearing from him.

Now we know, God rest his soul.

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Louis Johnson is on the cover of the 2015 Sept. Bass Player mag.
In the article, liver disease is mentioned...his accountant figured something was wrong when a few days passed without hearing from him.

Thanks for the update
FF

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I shouldn't say studied, however when I lived in California ( 89) my next door neighbor ( who was a trumpet player) and Louis went to the same H.S together and they knew each other rather well. Anyway he would mention that Louis and Ray would get together quite often and practice when Ray was in town. Hey he knew Louis and I had to reason to doubt it and I knew both of them were on some of the Quincy Jones sessions so it wouldn't supprise me if the both of them did get together, however I wish I could've met Louis while I was out there.

Hands5, the current issue of Bass Player states that Ray Brown did teach Louis Johnson how to play a walking bassline. LJ met Brown through Quincy Jones.

 

[Sav'nBass]

That is a great clip. I have never seen footage of the Brothers Johnson backing up Billy Preston. Louis sounded great for a 17 year old bassist in 1972 or 1973. I still say that I think Louis downplayed the degree that Larry Graham influenced him. Unless someone comes up with video of Louis Johnson slapping in 1968, I will never believe he completely came up with slapping without hearing Graham, especially after seeing a clip of him covering a Sly and the Family Stone song in 1972.

I agree. I think any aspiring bassist especially one who was in their teenage years in the 70s had to be influenced by Graham whether they realize it or not....

 

[Steve59]

Still hurts. RIP LJ.

 

[electracoyote]

Bummer. Even before I was a bass player, I used to listen to him play and wonder how in the hell he was getting those tones and percussive effect. One of my first influences along with Larry Graham. RIP.

 

[Joshua Barnes]

View attachment 2394867

Another legend has left us today y'all, God Bless him!

What Yamaha bb bass model is that

 

[gwangi]

SIMPLY AWESOME!!!!

 

[pdbass]

 

[Jamarvic]

Thank you pdbass!
This was the song of summer in ‘80.
btw..I’m sure you know this, LJ and his family band Passage did a gospel album around’81. 1 track in particular Have You Heard the Word, has a killer bass line and solo( I still can’t play it completely). Maybe someday you can do a video on that bass line?