Stories in the Room: Michael Jackson's Thriller Album

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