John Barnes, longtime MJ studio collaborator, has passed away.

[Zack44]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1505375625552482310

Sad news today from Twitter: John Barnes, a well-known session keyboard/synth player and songwriter who worked with pretty much every famous R&B/Soul artist in the 70's and 80's (e.g. Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, the Pointer Sisters, and many many more), has just passed away.

He also frequently worked in the studio with Michael Jackson, usually on keyboards & arrangements, primarily on the Bad album and We Are The World. He's even credited on various solo projects from the rest of the Jackson siblings, like Rebbie's "Centipede" and some of Jermaine's albums.

I remember he also gave plenty of insightful comments in Spike Lee's "Bad 25" documentary, like how Mike would call him and the other musicians of the "B Team" at 3 AM to record songs in the Havenhurst studio that ended up on the final Bad album.

Amazing musician. He will absolutely be missed.

 

[ChanceToDance]

I was listening to his podcast just recently and he seemed pretty down to earth... All my thoughts and prayers are with his family and may his soul rest in peace.

 

[SmoothCriminal1995]

RIP John Barnes, thank you for being a wonderful collaborator to some of my favourite music. An underrated genius

 

[dethorro]

So sad! What an amazing musician and talented person. You will be missed, John! R.I.P

 

[Fuzball]

This is sad news, RIP John.

 

[Themidwestcowboy]

Good god no. I’m devastated. This is heartbreaking news. Rest In Peace John Barnes and my condolences to his family and friends

 

[MacMandy90]

Rest in peace John Barnes, thank you for your musical contributions and genius to all of the music we love, my condolences and prayers to his family and friends.

 

[Paris78]

Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye piano/keyboard player John Barnes has died, say reports

He played on Bad, Dangerous and We Are The World

www.musicradar.com

John Barnes, who played piano and keyboards for the likes of Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, has died, according to reports.

Born in Los Angeles, Barnes picked up his first instrument - a clarinet - at the age of six, but only took up piano aged 19. He’d previously learned to play bass, trombone and drums, performing with school bands and local groups.

After studying music theory and composition at California State University, Barnes joined Motown, working not only a musician, but also a composer, arranger and producer.

Barnes got the call from Michael Jackson in 1982, after The King Of Pop heard one of his studio demos and asked to meet.

Speaking to the MJCast podcast about their first encounter, Barnes recalled: “Michael said ‘I heard you can make your own sounds and play them. How many sounds can you make?’ And, I responded, ‘How much time do you have?’”
That was the start of a long-term friendship and musical partnership; Barnes worked with Jackson on Bad, the subsequent tour, Dangerous and multiple other projects.

Other notable credits include keyboards and arranging on We Are The World, the 1985 single by USA For Africa, piano on Lionel Richie’s Dancing On The Ceiling, and piano On The Pointer Sisters’ I’m So Excited. An extensive list of Barnes’ many credits can be found on his website.

 

[Paris78]