The Echoing Roar of Thunder Thumbs

 (Youtube video sourced from PLGMedia.    It isn't mine, and I'll remove it if requested.)

I just learned about the sudden passing of one of my bass heroes, and one of the guys who put the electric bass guitar front-and-center in popular music, Louis Johnson.    The low-end anchor of the Brothers Johnson, as well as hits by Michael Jackson and others, he was one of the most respected musicians in the business.   He was also generous in sharing his considerable knowledge, as attested by the instructional videos found on Youtube  (Though I still say, buy them, please!) as well as the bass-specific school he founded, the Louis Johnson Bass Academy.

He had monstrous chops, to be sure, but they were always in service to the music.   As with all musicians whose work stands the test of time and continues to earn respect, his pursuit was finding the right notes, and playing and phrasing in a way that served what the song was trying to convey, whether that song was his or written by somebody else.   

The cause of death has not been release as of this writing, but at this stage, does it really matter?   He gave me and millions of others who picked up the instrument, inspiration and guidance.   He gave many more millions great songs of his own, and great support to the music of others.   Everything I've heard and read about him says that he was somebody I wished I would have had the chance to meet.    In absentia, all that's left to say now is:

For the inspiration,
for the direction,
for the great music -
Thank You, Louis Johnson.
For everything.  

And rest - in eternal peace.  

Avast, ye Musique Pirates!

(...you are only a symptom.)

At the end of this video (around the 14 minute mark), Gene Simmons tells Henry Rollins that the fans, through digital piracy,  are responsible for killing the music industry:

Here, legendary music executive John Kalodner blames the fans in a similar fashion in the middle of this interview, by again going after the fans for "looting" the artists:

(The entire interview is actually quite fascinating - I'll allude to it in future postings.)

The issue of music piracy is old hat at this point, but it points to something that should be mentioned about the evolution of the music business since the RIAA went after the college students, kids, and other casual music fans for online music piracy (which Mr. Simmons claimed didn't happen, or at least to his satisfaction.)

One of the features of an industry - any industry - that ensures its continued viability and relevance is its ability to evolve, to change with the times, tastes, and preferences of the intended audiences.  The problem I have with the piracy statements issued by the two gentleman listed above (and no lack of respect intended in the slightest), is that they seem to place what I think is too much weight on what is actually a symptom of a much bigger problem for Big Music.