Weather Man

With a musical career spanning almost 50 years, including performances and sessions with Weather Report, Phil Collins and Santana, Alphonso Johnson is a bass icon. Mike Brooks asks the questions

- Mike Brooks

What advice do you offer to young bass players?

A lot of things have obviously changed, but what it means to be an artist is still the same. I think musicians, painters and dancers have to realize that their contribution to our society is important and that it’s to be valued. The concept of having someone who contributes to society in a very positive way, an important way, should be an international concept. A musician is just as valuable as a brain surgeon; when we go to enjoy films, it’s hard to imagine watching without music. I witnessed Yolanda Charles playing for the first time a while back and was just really touched by her as a mum, onstage, performing with her heart and soul in the moment. You could tell that her mind was not somewhere else—and it was just a great thing to see.

You’ve had a fulfilling career—and now you’re imparting that experience as a teacher.