Arthur Louis

Louis's use of modern blues rock has been compared with Taj Mahal 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".

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. In 2009 he released his third album Black Cat, a retrospective album which included new songs such as the title track "Black Cat". 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.

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).

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. 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.

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 and Gene Chandler. The title song, a reggae blues version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was released as a single in July 1975, a week before Eric Clapton released his own interpretation of Louis's arrangement, of the same song. 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.

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)

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

Arthur Louis (21 June 1945 – 24 December 2014) was a rock, blues and reggae cross-over musician. His surname is pronounced as luːɪs (Lewis) and he held British nationality. He released three solo albums and was responsible for introducing the work of musician Mike Oldfield to Virgin Records.