On August 22, 1981, The Brothers Johnson played in LA to a room packed with vibrant energy that’s unlike anything else in the scene today. It was back in the day when purple jumpsuits and sequin accessories were the norm, and every stage was equipped with dancers and decorative flare to accompany the totally out-there risks that musicians would take on their every performance.
Bassist Louis Johnson, also known as “Thunder-Thumbs” for his bass-slapping technique, was also a studio musician who played on multiple Michael Jackson hits, including “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, among others.
Watch Louis “Thunder-Thumbs” Johnson’s absolutely incredible bass solo from the performance below, which Oteil Burbridge comments was his “first concert” ever. If this is true, then props to the Burbridge parents for allowing this to happen – and to Johnson for inspiring one of the greatest bassists in the world to become who he is today.
In the same Facebook post, in the “Let Oteil Sing” group, Burbridge wrote, “[Johnson] is forever the man.” The funk is real in what you are about to see: