Louis Johnson, one of the founding members of the funk band the Brothers Johnson and a very sought after bassist who appeared on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” died on Thursday, May 21st. He was 60. His cause of death has yet to be revealed, but was confirmed by his nephew Troy on Instagram,
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.
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Later, the Brothers Johnson split in the early ’80s to pursue their own projects, and only reunited sporadically over the ensuing years, while both brothers — Louis and guitarist and vocalist George Johnson — briefly pursed solo recording careers before moving on to session work.
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“Louis ‘Thunder Thumbs’ Johnson was one of the greatest bass players to ever pick up the instrument,” Jones tells Rolling Stone. “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, and I will miss his presence and joy of life every day.”
From Lenny Kravitz to Quincy Jones and Questlove, stars were coming out of the woodwork on social media to express their condolences about the guitarist.
Here’s one of the groups biggest hits:
death was confirmed by his nephew Troy on Instagram,
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