The Guitarists Of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson 'The King Of Pop' was one of the biggest selling artists of all time. His influence on pop music, fashion and dance contributed to his enormous popularity, owing in part to his stunning live shows, world tours and multi-million selling albums.

He was catapulted into the public eye in the late 60's, from an early age, with his brothers to form the Jackson 5. After many successful hits throughout the 1970's both solo and with the Jacksons, Michael's 5th solo album 'Off The Wall' was a major turning point for the artist.

Huge success followed with 'Thriller' in 1982 and 'Bad' in 1987. These albums contained some of the greatest pop songs of all time with the likes of Beat It, Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin, Bad, Man In The Mirror and Dirty Diana.

It's the eclectic mix of influences and genres that grabs the attention with his songs. Fusing pop, funk, disco, jazz and rock combined with writing collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and Toto contribute the amazing signature sound. 

Being a session musician myself I am constantly researching who played what on records to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a great player. 

Here, I wanna take a look at some of the guitarists that Michael Jackson used to shape his sound. He worked with only the best in the business and it always paid off. 

1. Billie Jean (David Williams)

Although best known for it's iconic, driving bass line and string stabs, it's the subtle funky guitar of virtually unknown session player David Williams that provides the groove on Billie Jean. His rhythmic clean tone shines throughout the track and was originally recorded on an early demo for the track at Michael's home studio. Many attempts at LA's Westlake studio to recreate the sound were made to no avail so they went with the original magic on the demo.

Williams: "Secret Spice: You don't need much of it, but the right amount gets the job done."

2. Beat It (Steve Lukather/Eddie Van Halen)

Paul Jackson Jr. and Steve Lukather played the rhythm parts and bass on the song but Quincy Jones knew an amazing guitar player for the solo on Michael's first rocker. Eddie Van Halen performed royalty-free and uncredited for this track which he cheekily re-arranged with the engineer when Michael wasn't looking! In fact, Eddie almost missed this opportunity to perform on the King Of Pop's mega-selling hit. Upon receiving what he thought were numerous prank calls from a crazy fan, he later realised it was Quincy Jones. He eventually responded to the call and headed to the studio to lay down two outrageous guitar solo's telling Quincy and Michael to pick the best one. 

Van Halen was given free reign to do whatever he pleased with the track and Michael was happy that he poured so much into the arrangement and he loved '' that high fast stuff you do''.

Here's the main riff and the solo. 

3. Black Or White (Bill Bottrell)

Contrary to popular belief, it's not Slash who performed guitar duties on smash hit 'Black Or White'. It's actually Bill Bottrell who laid down the swinging, Stones-like riff. Michael Jackson would hum lead-lines, riffs and melodies then Bill would capture these rough demos and tinker away with samples, drum machines and keyboards to conjure up the basic tracks.

The ever humble Bottrell kept the guitar riff simple and straight to the point and laid down an arrangement for Jackson to lay down a scratch vocal with. The take was so good it was used for the final arrangement. 

There was a massive gap in the song that needed filling so Bottrell under the pseudonym of L.B.T laid down a rap that elevated the track further and reached a wider audience. 

4. Rock With You (David Williams)

David Williams gives this track a driving, energetic rhythm with his funky staccato chops. The song is a perfect dose of late 70's funky disco and Williams squeezes in these subtle lead-like rhythm guitar parts always managing to stay out of the way and not distract from Michael's lead vocal. 

With a track that has so many rich layers of strings, bass, drums and synthesizers it takes an incredible musician to understand where to fit in to all this and guys likes David Williams are the masters of their craft. 

5. Human Nature (Steve Lukather) 

This track was written and composed by drummer Jeff Poracaro of Toto. He and fellow band member Jeff Paich prepared some demo tracks for producer Quincy Jones to consider for the Thriller album. Jones wasn't impressed with the songs they cut until he heard Human Nature. The track stood out to him although it was a very bare track at the time that needed lyrical changes. It was the last track to be selected for the album.

The song is a gentle almost ballad-like track. Jackson's whispery vocal accompanied by Porcaro's shuffling rhythm and Steve Lukather's subtle chorus-laden jangling chimes that match the harmonies on the chorus. Throughout the verses Lukather humbly picks out a gentle riff that adds warmth during Jackson's silences.  

The video below if my instrumental guitar version of Human Nature. 

Michael Jackson enjoyed guitar music and he appreciated the important part the instrument plays. He performed with many more guitarists like Carlos Santana, Orianthi, Jennifer Batten and Steve Stevens, all putting their own unique spin on his records. 

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