(Photo By Flickr User Jeremy Cain)
Louis Johnson, founding member and one-half of funk band The Brothers Johnson who is widely hailed as one of the greatest bass players, has died.
According to CNN, Johnson died on last week.
The Los Angeles-based Brothers Johnson, a group featuring Louis and his brother George, got their start backing up Quincy Jones before releasing their acclaimed, Jones-produced debut LP Look Out for #1 in 1976.
Over the next five years, the Brothers Johnson racked up three Number One hits on the R&B charts: 1976’s I’ll Be Good to You, their 1977 cover of Shuggie Otis’ Strawberry Letter 23, and 1980’s smash Stomp!
The Brothers Johnson’s 1980 album Light Up the Night, featuring This Had to Be co-written by Michael Jackson and featuring the "King of Pop" on background vocals, ascended to the top of the R&B album charts.
A longtime collaborator with super producer Quincy Jones, Johnson appeared on Michael Jackson‘s Billie Jean and Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.
Quincy Jones posted his full statement on his Facebook page:
Louis “Thunderthumbs” Johnson was one of the greatest bass players to ever pick up the instrument. As a member of the Brothers Johnson we shared decades of magical times working together in the studio and touring the world. From my albums “Body Heat” and “Mellow Madness”, to their platinum albums “Look Out for #1,” “Right On Time,” “Blam,” and “Light Up The Night,” which I produced, to Michael’s solo debut “Off the Wall,” I considered Louis a core member of my production team. He was a dear and beloved friend and brother. I will miss “Boot’s” presence and joy of life everyday. ‪#RIPLouisJohnson
Musician & Grammy-Award Winner Louis Johnson, dead at the age of 60.
