Stories in the Room: Michael Jackson's Thriller Album
3 Favorites
Join hosts Anthony Marinelli and Steven Ray as they chat and play music with songwriters, producers, engineers, and musicians who were "in the room" in the making of the iconic Thriller album with Michael Jackson. Guests share their trust, fear, and joy in creating music together in the recording studio bubble. You’ll find out how the songs were written, performed, and recorded, and you’ll hear the untold back stories about the people behind the studio magic. Guests include Greg Phillinganes, the Waters Family, Matt Forger, Paul Jackson Jr., Steve Porcaro, Lorraine Fields, and others. Produced by David Wolf. Produced/Directed by Christian D. Bruun.
Location:
United States
Description:
Join hosts Anthony Marinelli and Steven Ray as they chat and play music with songwriters, producers, engineers, and musicians who were "in the room" in the making of the iconic Thriller album with Michael Jackson. Guests share their trust, fear, and joy in creating music together in the recording studio bubble. You’ll find out how the songs were written, performed, and recorded, and you’ll hear the untold back stories about the people behind the studio magic. Guests include Greg Phillinganes, the Waters Family, Matt Forger, Paul Jackson Jr., Steve Porcaro, Lorraine Fields, and others. Produced by David Wolf. Produced/Directed by Christian D. Bruun.
Language:
English
Episodes
S2E29: The Power of Music - Matt Forger
10/26/2023
In this segment Matt tells us how Quincy wanted to learn from those around him. He was always open to receiving new things at the same time as he was giving so much to the world. We discuss how Michael and Quincy understood how to harness the power of music to inspire and transform people.
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Duration:00:12:21
S2E28: Journey to LA - Matt Forger
10/19/2023
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.
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Duration:00:05:30
S2E27: Getting Started as a Dancer - Lorraine Fields
10/12/2023
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.
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Duration:00:09:17
S2E26: Playing Multiple Instruments - Larry Williams
10/5/2023
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.
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Duration:00:07:54
S2E25: Stevie Wonder Changed My Life - Greg Phillinganes
9/28/2023
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
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Duration:00:13:02
S2E24: Meeting Quincy, Michael & Rod - Matt Forger
9/21/2023
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,
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Duration:00:12:24
S2E23: Music Lessons - Steve Porcaro
9/14/2023
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.
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Duration:00:08:03
S2E22: Thriller" Wind Demonstration - Greg Phillinganes
9/7/2023
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.
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Duration:00:10:17
S2E21: Michael's Lasting Imprint - Lorraine Fields
8/31/2023
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.
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Duration:00:09:05
S2E20: Pushing the Envelope - Matt Forger
8/24/2023
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.
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Duration:00:09:44
S2E19: A Historical Career - The Waters Family
8/17/2023
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.
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Duration:00:12:30
S2E18: The LA Music Scene - Paul Jackson Jr.
8/10/2023
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.
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Duration:00:09:01
S2E17: What Makes a Song Great? - Matt Forger
8/3/2023
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.
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Duration:00:14:17
S2E16: Thriller Union Contracts - Greg Phillinganes
7/27/2023
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.
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Duration:00:12:31
S2E15: Quincy & Michael Thrive Together - Lorraine Fields
7/20/2023
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.
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Duration:00:11:22
S2E14: Meeting Quincy & Michael - Steve Porcaro
7/13/2023
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.
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Duration:00:06:52
S2E13: Meeting Stevie & Quincy - Greg Phillinganes
7/6/2023
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.
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Duration:00:06:43
S2E12: Rehearsing the "Thriller" Video - Lorraine Fields
6/29/2023
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.
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Duration:00:09:47
S2E11: "Thriller" Pipe Organ & "Billy Jean" Bass Performance - Greg Phillinganes
6/22/2023
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.
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Duration:00:10:03
S2E10: Michael Changed the Industry - The Waters Family
6/15/2023
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.
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Duration:00:11:24