40th Anniversary: Michael Jackson’s Thriller – The Musicians Behind The Recordings in the Mix

Vincent Price & Michael – Voice-Over Session (Intro) (1982)
The recitation is by actor Vincent Price along with Michael and Rod Temperton in the studio is my intro.

Quincy Jones – The Dude (1981)
Quincy Jones „The Dude“ himself, Executive Producer, conductor, arranger and mastermind. No more words needed.

Greg Phillinganes – Do It All For Love (1981)
Played electric piano and synthesizer on all songs of the album. Just not on „Human Nature“

Paulinho Da Costa – My Love (1984)
One of the best and most booked percussionists of all time for studio recordings. Played Percussion on „Wanna Be Startin‘ Somethin'“ and „Human Nature“.

Bill Wolfer – Camouflage (1982)
Had been responsible for the synthesizer and keyboard work on „Beat It“ and „Billie Jean“.

Michael Jackson – Hot Street (1982)
Hot Street is one of Michael Jackson’s songs that didn’t make it onto the Thriller album because Temperton and Quincy Jones felt the song was too weak. This song was written by Rod Temperton and was long unreleased.

Louis Johnson – Kinky (1985)
Louis Johnson, one half of the group The Brothers Johnson, was one of the finest bass players of his day. He played the bass and electric bass throughout the album. Only on „Beat It“ together with Steve Lukather.

Paul Jackson Jr. – I Came To Play (1988)
Guitarist, but also bass, keyboards player and producer played Guitar on „Beat It“ and „P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)“.

Karizma – Heavy Resin (1983)
Dean Park’s jazz fusion band Karizma is represented here for him. Dean Parks played guitar on „The Girl Is Mine“ and „Billie Jean“.

Toto – Waiting For Your Love (1982)
Why actually Toto? Four members of Toto play a large part by the recordings. Steve Porcaro programmed the synthesizer on „Baby Be Mine“, „The Girl Is Mine“, „Beat It“, arranged and wrote „Human Nature“. His Brother Jeff Porcaro played Drums on „The Girl Is Mine“, „Beat It“, „Human Nature“ and „The Lady In My Life“. David Paich played Synthesizer on „Baby Be Mine“, „Human Nature“, „The Lady In My Life“ and arranged „Human Nature“ and made the rhythm arrangement by „The Girl Is Mine“. Steve Lukather played guitar on „The Girl Is Mine“, „Human Nature“ guitar & electric bass on „Beat It“ and arranged „Human Nature“.

Michael Jackson – Carousel (1982)
From the archives, another Michael Jackson song that didn’t make it onto the Thriller album. Wrote by Michael Sembello.

David Foster – Who’s Gonna Love You Tonight (1986)
David Foster – one of the most successful producers and songwriters played Synthesizer and arranged „The Girl Is Mine“. Check out my Jay Graydon Songbook for more music from him. Musician Special: Jay Graydon Songbook

James Ingram – Always (1986)
James Ingram played keyboards, wrote and arranged „PYT (Pretty Young Thing)“, could be heard on the backing vocals on „Wanna Be Startin‘ Somethin'“ and „P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”.

Howard Hewett – Stay (1986)
Howard Hewett – Member of the LA based Soul/Funk Band Shalamar was heard on the backing vocals on „P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)“.

Heatwave – State to State (1982)
Why Heatwave, the British soul/funk group? Rod Temperton- Head of the group and long time songwriters for quincy’s productions played a large part in the recording. He wrote „Baby Be Mine“, „The Lady In My Life“ and the title track „Thriller“. Arranged „The Lady In My Life“, „Thriller“ and „Baby Be Mine“. Check out my Rod Temperton Songbook for more music from him. One More Rhythm – The Rod Temperton Songbook . Of course, the selected Heatwave song was also written by Rod Temperton.

David Williams – Take The Ball And Run (1983)
David Williams, rhythm guitarist, producer and songwriter played Guitar on „Wanna Be Startin‘ Somethin'“, „Baby Be Mine“ and „Thriller“.

Ndugu & The Chocolate Jam & Co – Take Some Time (1980)
Leon Ndugu Chancler, soul, funk and jazz drummer, percussionist, songwriter and producer and Member of Santana played drums on „Baby Be Mine“, „Billie Jean“ and „P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)“

The Waters – Welcome Home (1988)
Julia Waters, Maxine Waters and Oren Waters from the legendary family soul vocal group from Los Angeles sang the backing vocals on „Wanna Be Startin‘ Somethin'“ and some others. Of course, Michael’s sisters „Latoya and Janet“ can also be heard in the background on some songs.

Michael Jackson – Nite Line (1982)
Finally, again a song by Michael that didn’t make it onto the album. Nite Line was written by Glen Ballard, Brie Howard and Davey Faragher.