Arthur Louis

Arthur Louis

Arthur Louis is a Jamaican singer, songwriter and guitarist.

Biography

Early life, discovery and career

Arthur Louis released his album Knockin' On Heaven's Door in 1974. He continued making music, recording and gigging regularly until he moved to Scotland and took up painting.

Arthur left the music scene after his 18 year old daughter died 7 years ago of Leukemia, but during this time he found inner strength to write some of his best material ever, which he dedicates to his late daughter. One song in particular called "it's you birthday" he wrote on the anniversary of his daughter's birthday is particularly moving.

Arthur has helped many big names get to where they are today, Mike Oldfield, Eric Clapton, Richard Branson to name just three.

Oldfield was his 18 year old bass player in the seventies when he was recording his album in the manor studios in Oxford.

Arthur heard Mike had been making an album in his bedroom and told him to go and get it. Arthur then gave his studio time to Mike and told him to finish off his Tubular Bells album and give it to his friend Richard(Branson!) - Arthur then went to Italy only to find on his return 3 months later, that Branson had signed Oldfield and the album was Triple Platinum({Virgin Records was born!) The rest is history!

Louis could often be found playing with the likes of Jimi Hendrix among others and played the last gig at London's Speakeasy club with Jimi. it was at that gig that Arthur had his guitar stolen and was given a white left handed fender stratocaster by Mr Hendrix.

In 1974 Louis wrote recorded and released on the Fresh Air label a single called "I just called to say I love you" the same title as the 1984 Stevie Wonder song. There are definite similarities between the 2 songs and although probably just a coincidence one of the backing vocalists on Louis' version went to the US and worked with Wonder shortly after recording in 1974 with Louis. “

"Before leaving for another long series of concerts, Clapton went into the studio and worked on an album by Arthur Louis, a Jamaican who had moved permanently to England and was currently making a name for himself as one of the country's few genuine reggae artists. One of the songs being recorded, a reggae interpretation of Bob Dylan}}'s "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," caught Clapton's attention - so much so that he would record it as his own single a few months later, using essentially the same arrangement..." -Excerpted from Crossroads - The Life and Music of Eric Clapton - by Michael Schumaker (Hyperion Press)

To have Gene Chandler singing on your first album is quite an achievement. To have Eric Clapton playing on seven tracks as well goes against all the rules of natural progression, assuming of course that the artist is good enough to attract such illustrious company after a successful career. However,such an album exists,”Knockin on Heavens door” by Arthur Louis

Current Works

Arthur's band are all accomplished musicians in their own right. The Band are; on Drums; Blair Cunningham ( Paul McCartney,Phil Manzanera among others), on Bass; John Mackenzie (Bob Dylan Roxy Music), on Guitar; Lez Davidson(Paul Rodgers, Pete Townshend..), Horns; Nick Payne (Van Morrison,Eric Clapton,Kick Horns),Julian Rigamonti, Backing Vocals; Noel McCalla (lead singer Manfred Mann's Earth Band..),Helen Hardy(Rodger Chapman, Dave Gilmore..) Keyboards; Pete Stone(Madonna,Simply Red..).