Lou Johnson 1941 - 2019

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pljms
Posts: 865
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:43 am
Location: London

Lou Johnson 1941 - 2019

Post by pljms »

I've just discovered that Lou Johnson died in early May. As we all know he recorded several Bacharach and David classics in the 60s, a few of which were the first recordings of the songs and with Bacharach producing. Sadly, none of these brought major success for Johnson and it took Dionne Warwick in the US (Reach Out For Me and Message To Michael) and Sandie Shaw (There's Aways Something There To Remind Me) and Adam Faith (Message To Martha) in the UK to make them hits. Subsequently his 60s records became very popular in the UK with the Northern Soul crowd, apparently none more than this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s4GXQBrLeKQ
Paul
Martin Johnson
Posts: 462
Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:41 am

Re: Lou Johnson 1941 - 2019

Post by Martin Johnson »

My personal favourite Lou Johnson/Bacharach recording was the b-side of Reach Out For Me, an undeserved fate for such a catchy song:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6BY2Flhn4
Sara D
Posts: 391
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:32 am

Re: Lou Johnson 1941 - 2019

Post by Sara D »

I liked his gritty voice and it's baffling to me that he wasn't more successful, especially given the quality of the Bacharach and David songs he had first crack at.

We have an old VHS 'Ready Steady Go' compilation that includes, alas not on YouTube, a very nervous Burt Bacharach being interviewed by the show's host Keith Fordyce in the summer of 1964 and plugging Lou Johnson's then new release of 'There's Always Something There To Remind Me', followed by scenes of the studio audience dancing to the record. Listening to it again now I'm struck by how laid-back it is when compared to Sandie Shaw's version which was a No.1 hit in the UK a few months later.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQ1NUdkg50
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