Musical News - Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson

Sadly, I must report that bassist Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson has died on May 21, 2015 at the age of 60. The exact cause of death is yet unconfirmed. Louis started his earthly journey on April 13, 1955.

 

The Brothers began their musical exploration while still in school. They were joined by their elder brother Tommy Johnson and cousin Alex Weir for an early incarnation of the group. The Brothers played backup for the Supremes and Bobby Womack, among others. Louis later joined Billy Preston’s band, and wrote songs for Billy’s albums.

 

In 1975, the Brothers were hired by Quincy Jones to play on “Mellow Madness.” They were subsequently hired for Quincy’s tour in Japan and produced their debut album “Look Out For #1,” released in March 1976. “Right on Time” was released in May 1977 and reached number 13 on Billboard.

 

The Brothers’s songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film Mother, Jugs & Speed in 1976. An instrumental track on that film refers to the Brothers’s nicknames, “Thunder Thumbs” and “Lightnin' Licks.”

 

The album “Light Up The Night” was released in 1980 and hit #5 on the Billboard. It made it to Rolling Stone’s "Top 100 LPs of 1980." Among the Brothers’s  most popular songs are “I'll Be Good to You” (1976), “Strawberry Letter 23” (1977), “Ain't We Funkin' Now” (1978), and “Stomp!” (1980). Their primary style was funk, and funky they were.

 

The Brothers Johnson split up in 1982 to pursue separate projects.

 

Louis Johnson recorded a gospel music album in 1981. He continued his musical career, playing bass on Michael Jackson's “Thriller” (1982), the bestselling album of all time. He played with Earl Klugh, and a host of other world-famous musicians. He later made instructional videotapes on which he displayed his bass-playing skills. He started a bass academy during the 1990s and gave clinics via his own website.

 

In the mid-1790s, the Brothers Johnson were on top of the world. In my neighborhood, they were everybody’s favorite group.

 

Ironically, I played some of the Brothers’s most popular songs on iTunes earlier this week. Premonition?

 

My heart just hurts knowing that a part of my personal past is now gone!

 

 

Rest in Peace, Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson. [1955 – 2015]

© 05/22/2015