Q NOTES: THRILLER TIME
By QUINCY JONES
Michael Jackson’s Thriller just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Isn’t that a trip?
I’ve made three complete trips around the world in the last 18 months and at every club I visited, at peak hour, when they finish all the other things, they go and play Thriller. I’m happy about it, but it startles me. Twenty five years—that’s a long time for a record to still be a part of the everyday swingers’ set.
Before we started on Thriller, I was working on Donna Summer’s second Geffen album. I thought it would take four months, but it went seven. In the middle of it, we took a break, and Jackson and I went to Tucson, Ariz., to Paul McCartney’s house to do “The Girl Is Mine” because that was the only time he was in town. By the time I finished Summer’s record, we only had eight weeks to do Thriller. Sometimes that’s better. You don’t have time to sit there and get paralysis from analysis. You just go with your best instincts.
So we had three studios going at once and something going on every day and night. In the back room they were singing through cardboard pipes on “Billie Jean,” and we had Eddie Van Halen in the other room, which was amazing.
I was begging Jackson for a black rock’n'roll song and he came up with “Beat It,” which was crying out for Van Halen. Vincent Price was perfect casting for the rap on “Thriller.” He’s the personification of horror, and he did it in two takes because he’s a serious pro.
If you listen to God’s whispers, the whispers tell you what to do. Of course, none of it would have been possible without my A-Team: Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien, Jerry Hey, Greg Phillinganes and everyone else that contributed. There’s nothing better than creative collaboration. It was exciting because we were very adventuresome then and unafraid. I don’t think anything like Thriller will ever happen again. Being involved in a record like that is a major, major gift from God.
What do you think of Q’s take on “Thriller” 25 years later? What does “Thriller” mean to you?
“Thriller”album is an album selling most in human history.
It is the music that peoples on the earth planet listen to most.
Producer QUINCY JONES of the GENIUS.
I was able to photograph QUINCY JONES in Japan(1981) one year of the production year(1982) ago,
1st met When I photographed QUINCY JONES in the hotel room , Aura Energy was emitted by a body of QUINCY JONES. The Q’energy lighted me up. And I shined by QUINCY JONES’S Aura Energy .
Thank you very much !
supplement infomation ( photographer akihiro takayama shot quincy jones photographys became album quincy jones “budokan live in japan” lp record disk inner photography & single record disk ‘razzamatazz’ front photography. 1981 in japan.)
Mr. Jones
I was given a photo of the first black american military marching band.You are in the photo. A story goes with my recieving the photo from one of your ex band members. Please email me.
signed:Stefano
I know that you hear this time and again, but I am a singer and I am interested in finding out what you think of my voice.
I know that it is arrogant of me to assume that you read all of these comments or questions from all your many fans, however I still am curious and was always told that the dumbest question there is, is the one you never ask. If you find a way to look at my myspace page, or e-mail me, I can submit some cover songs and would appreciate any feedback that you have to give.
Mr. Jones, I have an original copy of the Thriller lp which lists only you as the producer. Every other copy of this album that I have seen lists Michael as co-producer. Can you give me info about this copy of the album? Thank you.
Mr. Jones
I am a singer to play at Attesa over Cabo San Lucas on april this year. You was there.
I just want to know You like the music? your opinion its important to take my future on the music
I never comment on blogs, but this one is awesome! Thanks.