RIP Lamont Johnson

[burk48237]

We lost a real master today. Lamont Johnson who was a pioneer on the Frettless with Brainstorm and his own solo act. The man could flat out play, I met him at a few jam sessions around Motown and he just had not only a unique sound but serious chops!

 

[covermego]

Aw, man....... mega bummer. RIP, good sir.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

May he rest in peace. I corresponded with him fairly often on Facebook. He could be a curmudgeon, but I was honored that he would communicate with me. He was a definitely influence on me using fretless in an R&B and Gospel setting. Let me post his two most famous tracks:

 

[burk48237]

Lamont also sang the lead vocals on "this must be Heaven." This is when I met him at Bert's, he acted like he had known me for years. I can't tell you how many great players around this town of great players consider him to be their biggest influence.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Lamont also sang the lead vocals on "this must be Heaven." This is when I met him at Bert's, he acted like he had known me for years. I can't tell you how many great players around this town of great players consider him to be their biggest influence.

I suspect he may have influenced Michael Henderson and Fernando Saunders in playing fretless in Funk music.

 

[burk48237]

Here's another sample

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Lamont was a great teacher as well.
Here is an interview that I viewed countless times.
His playing StingRay basses certainly caught my attention . His fretless work is phenomenal .

 

[Steve59]

R.I.P

 

[JRA]

lamont johnson, R.I.P.

 

[ajkula66]

R.I.P.

 

[Brother Goose]

So very sad. I discovered Brainstorm over the summer and was on a deep dive into Lamont's amazing playing.

I saved his number in my phone on Christmas Eve after discovering his website and was going to reach out today to schedule an online lesson/conversation...

Here is a little catharsis for all of us and reminder that this place is just a musical interlude in an eternal journey.

 

[Brother Goose]

I suspect he may have influenced Michael Henderson and Fernando Saunders in playing fretless in Funk music.

Two of my favorites! I bet he was heavily influenced by Detroit native and fretless funk Master Ralphe Armstrong, as well.

Happy Boxing Day, Professor!

 

[digmeout]

Incredible player! RIP Lamont.

 

[BassLife77]

I met him when I was a teenager in Detroit he was a really nice guy. He was playing bass for Norma Jean Bell before getting his own band. A friend of mine was playing a Stingray in a jam session with Norma and Lamont was playing a Gibson. Norma asked Lamont why does his bass sound so dead compared to the Stingray. Lamont bought a Sabre the next day and killed it

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I met him when I was a teenager in Detroit he was a really nice guy. He was playing bass for Norma Jean Bell before getting his own band. A friend of mine was playing a Stingray in a jam session with Norma and Lamont was playing a Gibson. Norma asked Lamont why does his bass sound so dead compared to the Stingray. Lamont bought a Sabre the next day and killed it

That’s good story and an example of how a good singer hears everything. Music Man and Lamont Johnson were a good match.

 

[P. Aaron]

Holy Cow! I had lessons from Lamont for over a year. He taught very well and while curmudgeonly about the business, he was a masterful musical mind.

This is sad news. RIP.

 

[DWBass]

How did I miss this thread? I was just thinking about him the other day.

 

[Kgn294]

How did I miss this thread? I was just thinking about him the other day.

Im late damn this sucks I was watching his Mr bassman video on YouTube again and I found out about his passing almost a year later. Rip Mr bassman Lamont Johnson you will be missed such an incredible loss

 

[Boss Bass]

R.I.P Lamont Johnson

 

[Les Fret]

Great player. Didn't know he died. Anyone know which fretless bass he played on the Smokin' album from Brainstorm? That album is great!