Stories in the Room: Michael Jackson's Thriller Album

In this segment Matt tells us about how to find a “state of flow” in the studio and how he taught himself to be a mix engineer in Syracuse New York, to reach his goal of working in LA.

In this episode Lorraine shares with us how she got started as a dancer at the young age of four and how the music itself was her first inspiration.

In this segment Larry tells us how his dad mentored him to become a multiple instrumentalist on clarinet, flute, saxophone and keyboard while growing up in a small town in Kansas.

In this segment Greg tells us about his early years, schooling, musical influences, the Motown sound, and an amazing story about auditioning for Stevie Wonder's band

In this segment Matt tells us how quickly he worked up the ladder from trainee at Westlake Studios to become a member of the most successful artist, producer and songwriter team in music history. He also reveals profound insights about his mentor Quincy Jones and other mega superstars,

In this segment we hear about Steve's childhood piano lessons, studying with his dad's studio musician friends and how he learned something new from every musical situation.

In this episode we share how Michael and Quincy wanted a bigger cinematic sound than the previous album “Off The Wall”. We see how the wind sound for “Thriller” was created on the Arp 2600 and how it blends seamlessly with the Jupiter-8, achieving the goal of creating layers with dramatic tension.

In this episode Lorraine revels how she met young Michael long ago, how he always wanted to learn more about dance and tap (having been a fan of the great Fred Astaire), how he picked her to dance next to him in multiple videos and the profound legacy of excellence he left us.

In this segment Matt describes more about his quest to discover the secrets of great songs, how he soaked in all the information he could while in the room with Quincy, Rod, Bruce and Michael, and how they were always pushing the envelope. Matt also tells us how he discovered a way to be focused and well rested on only 4 hours sleep.

In this segment The Waters Family tells us about growing up together in South Central Los Angeles, their musical education, how their natural voices make up a complete choir, first gigs with Phil Spector and their Gold Star family history.

In this segment Paul tells us about his early years growing up in LA, his time at USC, playing with George Duke and the LA Club scene that supported young and upcoming musicians.

In this segment Matt tells us why some songs have emotional ingredients that make them more special than others and how Michael and Quincy tapped into this pathway when making Thriller. Matt’s profound technical expertise created a perfect atmosphere for success.

In this episode, while reviewing the original Union Contracts, we discuss how "Billie Jean” was recorded with the late great Ndugu on drums, Louis Johnson on bass, Greg Phillinganes on keys and the live string section performed at Allen Sides great Ocean Way studio.

In this episode we discuss Michael's work ethic and the importance of continuing to grow as an artist. One of many things he and Quincy had in common. They were constantly exploring and always reaching for more.

In this segment Steve talks about his early projects working with Quincy Jones, programming for David Foster, working on Michael's Off the Wall solo album. his contributions on "Human Nature" and other songs for the Thriller Album.

In this segment Greg Phillinganes shares his storied journey from a young musician in Detroit, meeting Stevie Wonder and meeting Quincy Jones to become one of the top season players in music. 

In this episode Lorraine talks about her years at the High School of Performing Arts, where she met Michael Peters the great dancer choreographer of Thriller. When Michael Jackson wanted the two best dancers flanking him in the video, Michael Peters picked her to be one of them.

In this segment, Greg Phillinganes is in the studio reviewing the digital pipe organ sound performed on “Thriller, the Billy Jean bass double and how he and Anthony worked together to create unique sounds.

In this segment The Waters Family discusses the accusations against Michael, working with Michael before and after Thriller, how MTV changed the music industry and how Michael knocked down the color barrier.

In this segment we'll hear about Michael's fun side, Muscles the snake, making two records per household and the magical chemistry in the room creating Thriller.

"In this episode Greg and Anthony show us how the spooky theremin sound was created on the Arp 2600 as well as the “Falling Star” sound on “Thriller”, how Michael would say “I want them to “feel it” and constantly experimenting until the right sound and vibe was created.

In this segment, Paul talks about how Quincy Jones put together the brilliant core team of recording engineers Bruce Swedien and Matt Forger along with songwriter Rod Temperton. They delivered arrangement options for the musicians...giving us great performances that will live forever. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt describes how everyone in the room working on Thriller were all grooving together with the flow of the song as if they were thinking with one mind. Matt also reminds us how well prepared Michael was. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Greg tells us about the recording process, his role for each of the songs on the album and together we share our personal stories about them...including Paul McCartney.

In this episode Lorraine shares her perspective on why the “Thriller” video was a game changer that influenced every video moving forward, how Michael was into using special effects and dramatic costumes to bring out the character of the song.

In this segment The Waters Family tells us about the evolution of the recording process over the last five decades, working with Quincy Jones, singing on Thriller and plenty of stories about Rick James, Paul Simon… and of course Michael Jackson. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt tells us that Michael loved to watch comedy films and how he discovered the musical tools he would need to take people on the emotional journey he had in mind. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

Steve tells us how important it was for him to incorporate atmospheric sounds in his "Human Nature" demo, and comments how Quincy and Michael developed their cinematic approach while producing Thriller. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Greg talks about his long relationship with the Jacksons as musician, friend and arranger for hits such as "Blame It on the Boogie","Shake Your Body..." and "Can You Feel It". Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt tells us how Michael liked to share his love of exploration and discovery with the contributors in the room while making Thriller. It was always a fun-filled creative environment. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this episode Greg and Anthony perform together showing us how the Minimoog sound and part was created for the chorus in “Thriller” and how Greg's embellishments made Michael want to dance. Quincy knew that Rod Temperton's arrangement would deliver nuances that make all the difference in a production. And Quincy also created a bond of trust and feeling of family between all the musician’s in the room. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt tells us that no one had a greater work ethic than Michael and that he studied many great historical figures. We also learn how important dancing to old and new songs was to Michael as an artist. He was a Rhythm Machine that could dance all day long! Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this episode Lorraine shares the sequence of events that led up to the making of the “Thriller” video. It started with Michael Jackson and Michael Peters getting together to work out the the choreography. It was a challenge for dancers when the the video was shot on a cold night, with take after take with in makeup and high heels on concrete. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Steve shows us the custom equipment he used with synthesizers and drum machines long before MIDI, his data storage switcher and how he created expressive music using electronic instruments. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment we hear how Quincy was open to the ideas of the musicians to discover what worked best for the song...while Michael was always asking how it can be better. That’s a combination that leads to excellence! Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt tells us how he had never heard anything like the songs on Thriller. He tells us about Rod Temperton’s realization to name the album Thriller and how Rod had a fully orchestrated vision (down to the note) about what the album could be. Quincy was the perfect person that could cast the right musicians to make it happen…like a film director. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Larry tells about us how the Seawind horn section worked with Quincy Jones on I heard That and The Wiz, his first job playing keyboards, being inspired by Michael Brecker and learning from Quincy how to get the best out of each musician. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this episode Anthony shows how the beat and groove for “Thriller” was programmed on the LinnDrum machine and that special sound chips were made especially for the song. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this episode we get a broader understanding of Lorraine’s history, dancing to the Oscar winning song “Shaft" next to Issac Hayes at the Academy Awards and the huge difference of performing on live television, versus years later performing for music videos such as “Thriller”. The crowd watching the filming was screaming Michael’s name in between takes. It gave the dancers so much energy and felt like they were performing for a live audience. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment we'll hear about The Waters Family participation on countless Motown hits, performing with the Jackson 5, working on The Brothers Johnson albums with Quincy Jones and unexpected magical moments in the studio with Michael. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this episode we discuss the Fender Rhodes keyboard parts Greg Phillinganes played on the song “Thriller”, the riffs he made up on the spot and other effects that were used while playing the song. And, we all knew when working on a session with Quincy there would be a lot of fun, great music and great food! Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Paul shares the importance of great teachers and mentors, his desire to learn, the joy of playing guitar, and how all the years of practice led to his successful career. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Greg compares and contrasts the differences he's experienced over the last four decades regarding songwriting, tracking with musicians, and how music is consumed. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment The Waters Family tells us about the magic they witnessed when such a high level of talented songwriters, musicians and arrangers were carefully assembled by Quincy Jones. We discuss how the studio bubble was a “safe” and spiritual place for Michael to create in… and the goal was to out do himself. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Paul describes a magical time where only the best songs made it on the album, with a collaborative recording experience, with inspired musicians, and the industries top engineers right next to you to capture it. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Steve talks about the importance of finding the right synth for the job and playing the beautiful Yamaha GS-1 piano on "Human Nature". Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt tells us about Michael’s desire to make the best music. Thriller was a coming of age time for Michael as a singer, songwriter, and student of business. He found executive mentors who helped him create a mechanism to realize the ideas in his head. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment we discuss why Thriller surpassed even what Elvis and the Beatles accomplished, why the world fell in love with Michael and how being in the room where it was conceived affected our lives forever. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment we learn the focus was simply to strive for excellence - to make a great record, with great songs, with great players and with the joy that comes from the freedom to express oneself. Michael had so many parts in his head and Quincy kept it all on track. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment we discuss Michael singing Human Nature in one take, moonwalking in the studio, loud playbacks, the contributions of engineer Bruce Swedien and the inspired lyrics created by John Bettis. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment The Waters Family recalls their experience singing “Wanna Be “Startin’ Somethin’”, Michael Jackson’s photogenic side, his early drawings and how he contributed to their creativity. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt talks about the importance of having a great team that starts with the songwriter and ends with the mastering engineer. We’ll also discuss a random event one night that led to the creation of the hit single PYT. Quincy has a unique ability to recognize great ideas that might be hidden to others. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Steve Porcaro shares with us where the beautiful inspiration for the song "Human Nature" came from and how the "B side" of the cassette demo was Fortuitously heard by Quincy Jones. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Paul discusses his first instruments (including drums), the importance of having a variety of guitar options and how Quincy and Bruce would orchestrate his multiple parts. He'll even demonstrate a few licks for us. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment, Greg Phillinganes is in the studio reviewing the bass, drums and keyboards used on Thriller, the recording process with Michael, Quincy, Rod Temperton and Bruce Swedien and Greg even performs the song Thriller on the original instruments while singing along. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Matt discusses the initially slow sales of the the Thriller album and it’s ensuing meteoric rise to the top of the charts where it remained for over a year. He reveals how the record company tried to stop the song “Thriller” from being released as a single or a video. Cut to 40 years later, thousands of people are still dancing in unison around the globe. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment The Waters Family tells us about the fun times recording with Michael at home in Encino and watching him communicate with his llama, boa constrictor and exotic birds. Michael also had a great sense of humor and was a prankster. We’ll even hear a brief rendition of the “Mama Se, Mama Sa” vocal part from Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” (@5:03) Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

In this segment Greg tells us about the working process with Rod Temperton, Vincent Price, Van Halen and how the love that Quincy created in the room played a key role in getting the best performances out of everyone. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com

Stories In The Room is a new podcast series that features conversations with songwriters, producers, engineers and musicians about their shared trust, fear and joy creating music together in the recording studio bubble. You’ll not only learn how the songs were written, performed and recorded, but you’ll also hear the untold back stories about the people behind the studio magic. Visit: www.storiesintheroom.com