Arthur Louis

Born in Jamaica, Louis moved to Brooklyn with his family at a young age. In his late teens he attended Michigan State University where he joined and toured with the band Terminal Stations, in Brazil and Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfmusic.co.uk/band-members?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=20| title=Arthur Louis | publisher=tfmusic.co.uk | accessdate=4 February 2015}}

At the beginning of his career Louis toured with terminal stations. He recorded his debut album Knockin' on Heaven's Door in 1974, which featured Eric Clapton{{cite web| url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/knocking-on-heavens-door-mw0000257200|title=Arthur Louis, Knockin' on Heaven's Door|publisher=allmusic.com| accessdate=4 February 2015}} and Gene Chandler.{{cite book|title=Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton|author=Schumacher, Michael| publisher=Hyperion Press| page=373}} The title song, a reggae blues version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was released as a single in July 1975,{{Cite book|title=Billboard, Top Single Picks Vol:87, No:32|date=8 September 1975| publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=70}} a week before Eric Clapton released his own interpretation of Louis's arrangement, of the same song.{{Cite book| title=Billboard, Top Single Picks Vol:87, No:33|date=16 August 1975|publisher= Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=78}} Louis's release received attention but was over shadowed by Clapton's, which featured Louis's "Someone Like You" as the B-side. Louis's album Knocking on Heaven's Door, eventually climbed to #6 in International charts.{{cite book|title=Arthur Louis International Rock and Blues Legend|publisher=Black Cat Records|pages=1–4| year=2009}}

In 1991 the German record label Discovery Sounds licensed and re-mastered his debut album, Knockin' on heaven's door and the subsequent release revived interest in his music. Later renewed interest from Japan prompted the release of his second album Back From Palookaville (1998).{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Arthur-Louis-Back-From-Palookaville/release/2830719| title=Arthur Louis. Back from Palookaville| publisher=discogs.co.uk| accessdate=5 February 2015}}

By 2006 Louis was making concert appearances in Europe once more, which re-established him in countries such as Italy and Spain. In December 2008, he appeared on BBC Radio 2's Paul Jones Show.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/8b20ad3e-925f-4274-9b9a-06eea76b7ccb|title=Arthur Louis, Paul Jones Show BBC Radio 2|publisher=bbc.com|date=December 2008| accessdate=31 October 2010}} In 2009 he released his third album Black Cat,{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p99528|pure_url=yes}}| title=Arthur Louis|publisher=allmusic.com| accessdate=2 August 2010}} a retrospective album which included new songs such as the title track "Black Cat".{{cite book|title=Black Cat CD|publisher=Wet Bird Productions|year=2008}} In the same year he played with his band at the London launch of 'Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues'. On 23 August the same year he appeared in London again with Bobby Tench, Jim Cregan and Roger Chapman.{{cite book|author=Leslie Fran|title=Interview with Bobby Tench|publisher=Blues In Britain|page=18,19,20 Vol 1 issue 94|date=October 2009}}

Louis's use of modern blues rock has been compared with Taj Mahal{{cite web|url=http://www.fairhearing.co.uk/?cat=10|author=Sargeant, Pete|title=Review of Arthur Louis album, BlackCat| publisher=fairhearing.co.uk| accessdate=2 August 2010}} and Peter Brown's review of the album Black Cat (2009), stated that Louis was "the personification of easy electric blues" and that he brought "new energy and expression to the form".{{cite web| url=http://www.toxicpete.co.uk| title=Reviews 'L' Arthur Louis, Black Cat| author=Peter Brown| publisher=toxicpete.co.uk| date=7 January 2009| accessdate=2 August 2010| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428113929/http://www.toxicpete.co.uk/| archivedate=28 April 2012| df=dmy-all}}

He was an established reggae, blues and rock cross-over artist and his interpretation of Bob Dylan's song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" brought him international attention. When writing about the re-release of Louis's "Knockin' on Heaven's door" in 1991, journalist Phil Parker mentioned Louis's influence on Clapton's reggae interpretations.{{Cite book| title= Review of Arthur Louis's Knockin' On Heaven's Door (re-mastered)|author=Parker, Phil| year=1991}} Other songs which exemplify his work in this genre are, his version of Dylan's "I shall be released" and "If I ever needed you" co-written with Scott English, both from Back from Palookaville.

• Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton and Gene Chandler. Plum 001 (1976)
• Back From Palookaville, Arthur Louis. Crown 4053 (1998)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis with Eric Clapton. Pandisc 8949 (1999)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door/Back From Palookaville, Arthur Louis (double CD). Black Cat BLACKCAT001 (2008)
• Black Cat, Arthur Louis. Black Cat BLACKCATCD 002 (2009)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door Arthur Louis with Eric Clapton. Solid CDSOL 1399 Japan (2011)

• "I just called to say I love you" (as Arthur Louie). Fresh Air 515 80 (1974).
• "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"/"The Dealer" Arthur Louis. Island WIP 6448 UK (1975)
• "Knocking on Heaven's Door"/"Plum" Arthur Louis. Plum PR001 UK(1975)
• "Still, It Feels Good"/"Come on And Love Me. Arthur Louis. Mainstreet 12 SPMS 104 (1981) 12" EP
• "Knocking on Heaven's Door (Hot Perrers Return Mix)"/"Knocking on Heaven's Door (TNT Explosive Mix)" Arthur Louis. ARTHUR001 Promo (2000) EP

Arthur Louis's arrangement of the Bob Dylan song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" first appeared on Louis's album "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (1974)

;also appears on

• "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" single, Arthur Louis. Island WIP 6448 UK (1975)
• "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" single, Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). RSO 2090 166 (1975)
• This Is Reggae Music Vol2 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. Mango 9327 (1975)
• This Is Reggae Music Vol2 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. Island ILPS 9327 US (1975)
• Spécial Club Eté 78 Vol1 various artists, Arthur Louis version. Philips 6830 773 France (1978)
• "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). Track 15 CD No3 Crossroads, Eric Clapton (4-CD set). Polydor 835 261 (1988)
• This Is Reggae Music Vol5 various Artists, Arthur Louis version. Mango CCD9851 (1990)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis. Pandisc 8949 (1999)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
• "Knocking On Heaven's Door", Eric Clapton version (arr A.Louis). Track 15 CD No3 Crossroads, Eric Clapton (4-CD set). Polydor 530 2 809 (2007)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door, Arthur Louis and Eric Clapton. Solid CDSOL 1399 Japan (2011)

Louis's version of this song originally appeared on his album Knockin' on Heaven's Door (1974)

;also appears on

• B-side of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" single (Eric Clapton version/arr A.Louis) RSO 2090 166 (1975)
• Track 16 CD No3 Crossroads (Eric Clapton 4-CD set) Polydor 835 261 (1988)
• Knocking on Heaven's Door Arthur Louis featuring Eric Clapton. Discovery Sounds 250043 (2006)
• Track 16 CD No3 Crossroads (Eric Clapton 4-CD set). Polydor 530 2 809 (2007)

{{reflist}}

• Schumaker, Michael. Crossroads: The life and music of Eric Clapton. Citadel Press (2003). {{ISBN|978-0-8065-2466-5}}
• Branson, Richard. Losing my virginity: How I've survived, had fun, and made a fortune doing business my way. Vol 1. Times Business (1999). {{ISBN|978-0-8129-3229-4}}

• {{discogs artist}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p99528}}
• {{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/83391588|title=Arthur Louis Live from the BBC (Paul Jones sessions)|publisher=popmatters.com}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Louis, Arthur}}

Category:1950 births

Category:2014 deaths

Category:British male singers

Category:British male guitarists

Category:British male songwriters