Louis Johnson in Denver

Louis Johnson was an American bassist, songwriter and producer, born in Los Angeles in 1955 and best known as one half of the funk and soul duo The Brothers Johnson. His forceful slap-bass technique earned him the nickname “Thunder Thumbs,” and his recordings include “I’ll Be Good to You,” “Strawberry Letter 23” and “Stomp!” He also played on Michael Jackson’s albums Off the Wall and Thriller and on George Benson’s Give Me the Night. In the early 1970s, Louis Johnson and his brother George joined Billy Preston’s touring band, performing in the United States and Europe. Their work attracted Quincy Jones, who brought them into the sessions for Mellow Madness and featured them during concerts in Japan before producing The Brothers Johnson’s debut album, Look Out for #1.