In-your-face-bass at the top of the charts is rare, yet it was a regular occurrence during the late-‘70s/early-‘80s heyday of Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson. Best known to bassists as the steely bridge between slap pioneer Larry Graham and modern-day thump kings like Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, Johnson – as “discovered” by Quincy Jones – had the musical midas touch.
He capped a potent session run by playing on virtually every track of Michael Jackson's landmark albums Off The Wall and Thriller. Simultaneously, with guitarist/brother George, he formed the Brothers Johnson, issuing such hits as Strawberry Letter 23, I'll Be Good To You, and Stomp! The latter was the duo's biggest hit, reaching No.1 on the R&B and dance charts.
