Louis Johnson
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Louis Johnson
(1891–1966), secretary of defense
As defense secretary from 28 March 1949 to 19 September 1950, Louis Johnson was best known for his controversial money‐saving measures. The most contentious was his decision in April 1949 to cancel the navy's experimental flush‐deck “supercarrier,” the United States, which was in the initial stages of construction. Johnson thought the supercarrier would duplicate strategic bombing functions performed by the air force, but his cancelation order outraged the navy and its partisans and provoked a congressional investigation. Johnson insisted he was only complying with PresidentHarry S. Truman's instructions to hold down defense spending. He was absolved of any wrongdoing, but some critics felt his economy drive went too far and weakened the armed forces.
Johnson's tempestuous tenure as secretary of defense came in the wake of earlier controversy surrounding his actions as assistant secretary of war (1937–40). At that time, Johnson had pressed vigorously for U.S. rearmament as war clouds gathered over Europe and the Far East, even though U.S. policy stressed neutrality and noninvolvement. During World War II, Johnson served briefly as U.S. representative to India.
As secretary of defense, Johnson favored a defense posture resting on strategic nuclear airpower, while his rival, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, wanted a more broadly based military that would allow greater diplomatic flexibility. Their differences came to a head in the spring of 1950 during deliberations over a paper (NSC 68) recommending a U.S. military buildup to counter recent increases in Soviet military power. President Truman sided with Acheson and decided to fire Johnson in the light of early U.S. reverses in the Korean War. Though Johnson had once aspired to the presidency, he felt disgraced and quietly returned to his West Virginia law practice.
[See also Carrier Warfare; Defense, Department of.]
Bibliography
- Carl W. Borklund, Men of the Pentagon: From Forrestal to McNamara, 1966.
- Steven L. Rearden, History of the Office of the Secretary of Defense: The Formative Years, 1947–1950, 1984.
- Roger R. Trask, The Secretaries of Defense: A Brief History, 1947–1985, 1985
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Louis Johnson
Oxford Dictionary of the US Military:
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Louis Arthur Johnson
Johnson, Louis Arthur (1891-1966) secretary of defense (1949-50), born in Roanoke, Virginia. Johnson's tenure was marked by controversy and friction among the services, particularly the newly established (1947) U.S. Air Force and the Navy, as they competed for scarce funds during a period of budgetary retrenchment. He also differed with Secretary of State Dean Acheson on foreign policy, although they agreed on and recommended development of the hydrogen bomb. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Johnson's budget cuts were seen as the cause of the nation's lack of military preparedness. Following further friction with President Harry S. Truman on matters relating to Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Johnson resigned at the president's request. During World War I, Johnson fought in France, attaining the rank of major; from 1932 to 1933, he served as national commander of the American Legion, which he had helped organize; and as assistant secretary of war (1937-40), he strongly pushed for preparedness.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
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Louis Johnson (bassist)
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2010) |
| Louis Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Louis Johnson in 1980 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | April 13, 1955 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Funk, R&B, soul, jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, record producer |
| Years active | Early 1970s–present |
| Labels | A&M, Capitol, Star Licks Productions, Hal Leonard Publishing |
Louis Johnson (born April 13, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, United States) is an American bass guitarist.
Johnson is best known for his group The Brothers Johnson and his session playing on several hit albums of the 1970s and '80s including the "best selling album of all time" Thriller.[1] His signature sound is from the Music Man StingRay bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote, and from his slapping technique.
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Contents
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Biography
His work appears on many well-known records by prominent artists. Johnson played on Michael Jackson's albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Dangerous, and hit songs "Billie Jean" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". He also played on George Benson's Give Me the Night. He was one of three bassists on Herb Alpert's 1979 album Rise, which included its top-10, Grammy-winning disco/jazz title-track.
Due to his distinctive style, Johnson is nicknamed "Thunder-Thumbs"[citation needed]. His slap bass playing arrived soon after Larry Graham brought it into the mainstream[citation needed], and both are considered the "grandfathers" of slap-bass playing.[citation needed]
His slap bass lines figure prominently in his work with Stanley Clarke on the Time Exposure album, his work with Grover Washington, Jr. (Hydra), George Duke (Guardian of the Light, Thief in the Night), Jeffrey Osborne (Jeffrey Osborne, and Stay with Me Tonight).
An excellent example of his thumb playing can be heard on the Earl Klugh song "Kiko"[citation needed]. Without any plucking at all, Johnson sets a complicated funky bass line using a combination of counterpoint slapping with right hand using right thumb, counterpoint with left hand middle finger as a mute tec., called a slap choke, thus creating a percussive sound like drums, adding to the bass notes.
His style incorporates more funk plucks in combination with his thumping, which along with the Music Man StingRay sound gives a very funky, unique sound[citation needed].
He was the bassist on Earl Klugh's 1976 jazz/pop album "Living Inside Your Love" and 1977 jazz/pop album "Finger Paintings", as well as Quincy Jones' 1975 Mellow Madness.
Collaboration
Louis Johnson has recorded and performed with the following artists (list in alphabetical order):
Solo releases
| Year | Title | Format | Label | Additional info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Passage | Album | A&M | Gospel-directed album by this group, including Louis Johnson, Valerie Johnson (ex-wife) & former Brothers Johnson-percussionist/vocalist Richard Heath |
| 1985 | "Kinky"/"She's Bad" | Single | Capitol | Europe-exclusive solo release by Louis Johnson |
| 1985 | Evolution | Album | Capitol | Europe-exclusive solo release by Louis Johnson |
| 1985 | Star Licks Master Sessions | VHS Video | Star Licks Productions | Louis Johnson instructional video re-issued on DVD by the Hal Leonard Company |
References
- ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003). All music guide to soul: the definitive guide to R&B and soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 81–82. ISBN 0-87930-744-7, 9780879307448. http://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&pg=PA81&dq=%22Louis+Johnson%22+thriller&hl=en&ei=CZV-TOKGGIO78gam_-3fAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Louis%20Johnson%22%20thriller&f=false. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ Hal Leonard Corporation – Closer Look Video. Halleonard.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-13.
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Oxford Companion to US Military History
The Oxford Companion to American Military History. Copyright © 2000 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Oxford Dictionary of the US Military
The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Mentioned in
Star Licks Master Sessions: Louis Johnson, Vol. II - Instructional Bass
(1999 Music Film)
Raisin' the Roof: The Peacock Recordings Of...
(1961 Album by Various Artists)
Get Right with the Swan Silvertones
(1982 Album by The Swan Silvertones)
Left Hand Bass Techniques
(2005 Music Film)
» More