I heard a story a few years back that Lou Johnson was invited to perform in the U.K but was scared of flying. Now found out he is living as a recluse !! Its a shame, love to he him perform!!!!!

I heard a story a few years back that Lou Johnson was invited to perform in the U.K but was scared of flying. Now found out he is living as a recluse !! Its a shame, love to he him perform!!!!!

Ian Levine managed to find him for his film..

Ian Levine managed to find him for his film..

and now he's living as a recluse!

He lives in Cypress, California, a suburb in Orange County (Same town Eddie Cochran's buried in), near where I grew up.

A local former garage musician named Tracy Sands (a friend) keeps urging me to come meet him.

Says he's a swell guy.

But I dont think he's a recluse. It might be his health...

Did Lou ever bring out an Lp on BigTop??? I remember in the mid 8ts someone had a test pressing lp (i think) but never seen a released lp on the BigTop label for sale. any ideas folks?

greg

Lou Johnson would be perfect for a weekender....lots of quality material.

Did Lou ever bring out an Lp on BigTop??? I remember in the mid 8ts someone had a test pressing lp (i think) but never seen a released lp on the BigTop label for sale. any ideas folks?

greg

Lou Johnson would be perfect for a weekender....lots of quality material.

As far as I can remember Lou onlu had the one lp - a 70's release, but defo not a Bigtop release.. although I, too, seem to recollect rumour of a 'Test' Bigtop Lp - seem to connect a conversation with Craig Butler at The Wilton ballroom a few years back!?!

Wasn't it Andy Rix who originally tracked Lou Down? and Ady wanted him for Cleethorpes but because of health issues he didn't feel up to the journey???

Edited January 10, 200817 yr by FickleFingers

His LP was on Stax I believe.

I was wrong, it was on Volt. Haven't played the LP in years.

Magic Potion was massive in 1975/6 at the Brickyard soul nights Mexbro (probably it was on its first revival), but Im not sure it would get much interest today.

Great voice LJ, hope he keeps well.

Ed

Yes, there is a Big Top LP in existance...only the one copy, mind.

It includes one nice mid-tempo track which doesn't appear on a 45 too.

Along with Roy Hamilton and Chuck Jackson, this guy is right up there in my estimation.

Ian Levine managed to find him for his film..

probably scared the shit out of him

Did Lou ever bring out an Lp on BigTop??? I remember in the mid 8ts someone had a test pressing lp (i think) but never seen a released lp on the BigTop label for sale. any ideas folks?

greg

Lou Johnson would be perfect for a weekender....lots of quality material.

I agree, and guess what? Cleethorpes this year...Don't quote me...although i was at the sure shot club in notts and I seem to remember Roger Banks saying he was on there!!!! best thing to do to confirm this is ask Ady Crosdale.

I got a Bit excited and went to the toilet after that! Regards Mike

Yes, there is a Big Top LP in existance...only the one copy, mind.

It includes one nice mid-tempo track which doesn't appear on a 45 too.

Along with Roy Hamilton and Chuck Jackson, this guy is right up there in my estimation.

A man after my own heart...

regards Mike

I heard a story a few years back that Lou Johnson was invited to perform in the U.K but was scared of flying. Now found out he is living as a recluse !! Its a shame, love to he him perform!!!!!

You"d love to he him mobbsy please diverse as to how you would he him

He lives in Cypress, California, a suburb in Orange County (Same town Eddie Cochran's buried in), near where I grew up.

A local former garage musician named Tracy Sands (a friend) keeps urging me to come meet him.

Says he's a swell guy.

But I dont think he's a recluse. It might be his health...

nice casual interview here

https://www.therighttrack.org.uk/lou_johnson.html

nice casual interview here

https://www.therighttrack.org.uk/lou_johnson.html

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, it's amazing what's out there! I guess that's why this Forum is so good, the sharing of info and all that!

Anyway, just had to say that "Unsatisfied" is my favourite Northern Soul record of all time. From the day I first heard it at the Torch to now it still gives me goosebumps when i hear it.

After I had told some friends that I would have it played at my funeral, I later thought better of it as I felt my wife might not appreciate the message it conveyed! Decided therefore to replace it with "Reach out for Me" which runs it a close second.

Phatspinner

if you like reach out for me...then check out roy hamiltons rca lp version....wow!

Plans are afoot for Lou to visit but he's not keen on flying and there's a lot of work to be done yet.

The Big Top LP has one non 45 side which is brilliant , there's The Panic Is On acetate I've got and a couple of unissued ballads about on dodgy CDs. We're in touch with Big Top owners and are trying to sort a package out for Lou that will look after him well. The Big Top LP has a proper label but no cover as they didn't get that far.

Plans are afoot for Lou to visit but he's not keen on flying and there's a lot of work to be done yet.

The Big Top LP has one non 45 side which is brilliant ,

What's the title of the track, 'Who is it'?

spoke to lou only the other week. he's not a recluse but doesn't like travel too much although he iskeen to get to the UK by whatever means. he'd love to chat to people over here. i'll get the ok and let you have his number if anyone wants it... but he's got no records (before you ask).

nice casual interview here

https://www.therighttrack.org.uk/lou_johnson.html

Thanks posting for that one Munchkin & in the words of the interviewer FANTASTIC !

He comes across as a really warm & friendly person !

Did i notice a little mistrust of the music industry in his words regarding any of his children becoming artists ?

Hope the Kent boys do get the LP sorted & help show him how well regarded he is among a good many people over here Certainly some of my alltime favourites amongst his catologue !

Really enjoyed listening to that interview !

Can he sail ok?

The Big Top LP has a proper label but no cover as they didn't get that far.

Out of interest what colour is the label?

Blue Yellow or Purple

Edited January 12, 200817 yr by Prophonics 2029

I heard a story a few years back that Lou Johnson was invited to perform in the U.K but was scared of flying.

Sadly also one of the main reasons why Aretha Franklin despite a long and very successful career (understatement...LOL) for a very long time refused to visit Europe, or any other continent for that matter, because she´s afraid of flying. And since 7/11 and the ever prevailing terrorist threat, even more soul artists (as people in general) have refused to go on international flights for fear of hijacking (skyjacking) and terrorist attacks causing planes to blow up... We live in a world of fear somehow.

Edited January 12, 200817 yr by djmelismo

Yes, there is a Big Top LP in existance...only the one copy, mind.

It includes one nice mid-tempo track which doesn't appear on a 45 too.

Along with Roy Hamilton and Chuck Jackson, this guy is right up there in my estimation.

Hear, Hear, Mr Flynn!! Not forgettin' that other indelible 'big' voice: Tony Middleton Roy is my all time personal fave.

Who owns the Bigtop LP!

if you like reach out for me...then check out roy hamiltons rca lp version....wow!

Agree entirely... whilst Lou does it justice Mr Hamilton's take is by far superior!

Agree entirely... whilst Lou does it justice Mr Hamilton's take is by far superior!

Nancy Wilson is tops for me,Roy a close second.

Can't you pick Lou up Ken in your motor and get him hear.

if you like reach out for me...then check out roy hamiltons rca lp version....wow!

impossible dream album

not cheap

Edited January 12, 200817 yr by Makemvinyl

Can't you pick Lou up Ken in your motor and get him hear.

He'll be scared of driving then

My mate has the LP, the non LP track is No Other Guy and I can't remember what the label was like but it was printed not Test Pressing stylee.

And Lou's Reach Out For Me is the best, he is actually my favourite male soul vocalist bar none.

As far as I can remember Lou onlu had the one lp - a 70's release, but defo not a Bigtop release.. although I, too, seem to recollect rumour of a 'Test' Bigtop Lp - seem to connect a conversation with Craig Butler at The Wilton ballroom a few years back!?!

Wasn't it Andy Rix who originally tracked Lou Down? and Ady wanted him for Cleethorpes but because of health issues he didn't feel up to the journey???

Lou had TWO general release LP's issued in the 60's , one on Cotillion and the other on Volt. Both excellent soul LP's and both well worth purchasing without hesitation.

YOU BETTER LET HIM GO BIGTOP THE BOL**CKS

Try the flip of Wedding-Park Avenue for a great slice of NYC life.

My favourite is probably The Last One To Be Loved.

Randy always tipped It Ain't No Use as a potential dancer

'Wouldn't It Be Something' flip of 'There's Always Something There To Remind Me' is a top under rated tune.

I don't know if I have posted this before, but here is his rare picture sleeved swedish(!) Big Top 7":

'Wouldn't It Be Something' flip of 'There's Always Something There To Remind Me' is a top under rated tune.

Both Mark Bicknell and myself used to play WIBS out back in the 80's.

Edited January 14, 200817 yr by chalky

https://www.soulmusichq.com/artists/johnson.htm

nice write up re lou johnsons and releases.

Its also on 45...RARE PHILIPPINES

Not forgetting this nice collectable ep from 1964

Edited January 30, 200817 yr by mossy

probably scared the shit out of him

Never ceases to amaze me how people can't resist a cheap shot at Ian Levine.