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Let's Talk About Thriller

whitesocksdancer

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This is wonderful!

Let's Talk About Thriller

When THRILLER came out, I was a teenager then and had been deeply touched by all the changes it brought into my life. I soon understood that this album would become a reference on its own, and I just felt privileged I was able to witness that.


I would like to thank Michael Jackson because, if it weren't for him, my life would have been different... I would not be a Music Photographer, and my life would be less Dreamlike.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of THRILLER, I wanted to pay tribute to the masterpiece with a collection of words and thoughts from Artists I love and who have a special place in my heart.
I'd like to "start things" with Claude, the wonderful poet-rapper aka MC Solaar - the First Guest of this section.

Alexandra Justamente




alexandra_pic.jpg


I would like to thank Richard for welcoming me here, at MJ data bank... Another chapter in this collaboration that started last year in London.

ARTISTS:

MC Solaar (Click here)
Frédéric Taddeï (Click here)
Harrison Funk (Click here)


http://mjdatabank.com/thriller_et_vous/eng/main.htm

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MC Solaar: the King of Rhyme talks about the King of Pop


"The best album in the world"


Where: Strasbourg / Schiltigheim

When: Nov. 14th, 2007
MC Solaar in Strasbourg: time to get back together: him, my camera, and me... And then time for a freestyle discussion about THRILLER.

Back to the dressing-room, I start things with MC: he tells me about MJ: when the Master of Rhyme shares thoughts on the King's Album.




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Alexandra: We celebrate THRILLER's 25th Anniversary: How do you feel about it ?
MC Solaar: I think that lots if things have already been said about his album... We said it all... It's best album in the world.

A: What is your favorite track ? (I have my CD copy of THRILLER with me and hand it over to him, he reads the tracklisting)

MC: It's so hard to pick one... I'd go for THRILLER - with its banging rythm.


A: As you know it, Michael Jackson is now back in the studio... Lots of artists and producers write tracks for him. If you had the opportunity to write and play a track for Michael Jackson, would you be inspired enough to do it?
MC: I just can't think of it.... A: ...But just imagine that it's possible...

(He waves his hand, trying to interrupt me)
MC: No... I just can't even think of it....!


Later, Billie Jean enters the pub with this obvious and fascinating coincidence. Claude MC looks at me and concludes: "I wish he would work with Quincy Jones again".

mcsolaar_2.jpg


"Special Thanks" to Claude​





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MC Solaar: Chapitre 7 (2007)​




Official website: Solaar System
On Tour (France): SOLAAR TOUR







Photos + Interview: Alexandra Justamente
Text: Alexandra Justamente / Richard Lecocq
Photo CD "Chapitre 7": DR
Design: MJ data bank / Alexandra Justamente
Editing: MJ data bank
(C) 2007, Alexandra Justamente / MJ data bank​
 
Frédéric Taddeï:

Interviewer of the year

talks about the album

of the century


"The first black artist to outsell white artists"
​

-Where (interview): Paris/France Télévision
-When (interview): January 10 2008
-Where (photo): Strasbourg -When (photo): December 02 2007

As the best interviewer of the year (CB News has just granted him with this recognition), french journalist Frederic Taddei identifies Michael Jackson as a major Artist.
From his office at France Television, he shares his thoughts and impressions on Thriller and his one of a kind creator: Michael Jackson.
ft_02.jpg

Alexandra: We celebrate Thriller 25th Anniversary. How do you feel about it?
Frédéric Taddeï: Thriller... By Michael Jackson... I clearly remember when this album came out. Musically speaking, that was a major event, and the record was extremely well produced, thanks to Michael Jackson, but also thanks to Quincy Jones. Jones is not a composer, but he's a very talented arranger and his skills definitely served Jackson's music. Thriller is very important as a record, it's a very original set. It was widely played in every club: everything was new then, and actually Thriller is just as young as day one.
But the question is: why, 25 years later, is Thriller still important? It's not just about his musical level, for I think we will realize this in many years - like we now see how important and timeles Mozart's music, which is 200, is. I think Thriller is important on the sociological and historical fronts: for the first time ever, a black man sold more record than any white man... And Michael Jackson made it. Black people created the music of the 20th century: jazz, rock, rap and even electronic music. But eventually, and systematically, white people would release and exploit it. White people had big hits thanks to black music: Presley was chosen because he had a black man voice and he was white, and could - then - sell records [to white people].
Jackson is the first to turn the axes round ever, and he paid big time for that. He has been subjected to countless of trials, in every sense of it. All the things he has been through is nothing else but the revenge of white people against this black man. I don't stand for a paranoiac vision of Michael Jackson, but I can parallel it to Cassius Clay (aka Muhammad Ali), the first black world box champion (and since that day, no white man has been able to become a heavyweight champion again). Clay also went through several trials and was eventually jailed because he objected Viet Nam War.


A: What is your favorite track?
FT: I love Thriller a lot, but I don't have a copy at home. I never bought Thriller. I think it's a club record and I can't think of listening to it at home - I sure acknowledge it's very well done record. So, all the tracks I've heard from Thriller are the songs most people know. These are the tracks I listened to and my choice is thus influenced by this.
Video is a strong element in the success Thriller: that's what made the album so innovative. Michael Jackson is the man as far as music videos go. He has a lot of money to produce them, but, most of all, he goes with all the ideas he has in mind. Jackson is a true artist. Even if he doesn't direct all his music videos, he is not the type of guy to go for a project he doesn't believe in. This is why I firmly believe that all the videos we see from him are real "Michael Jackson Videos".
What song should I choose? I love Beat It a lot, it's a wonderful song when sung by Michael Jackson... And it's still superb when sung/covered by other artists. That's what also makes a good song: when covers are interesting.


A: Would you consider celebrating Thriller 25th Anniversary in your show?
FT: No, for my current show - "Ce Soir Ou Jamais" - I'm not interested in celebrations, no matter what the subject is. I am far more interested in the understanding of our world today. That's why this show is different: the understanding of the world by the culture.
What's interesting in Thriller 25th Anniversary is to realize that Michael Jackson's artistic aura is not as strong as it was way back in the early 80's. During that period, he had been through a memorable trial that surely got people who liked Michael Jackson staying away from him. Those persons may have doubted of his genius and his talent. This is not my case.
I never believed he was guilty of all the things he had been accused of. I was convinced he was innocent and I wrote an article explaining he was sentenced to a 6 month trial - and it lasted some 6 months. This case took more pages than the Nuremberg trial. It was symbolic. The case was just so weak.

But when you think of it, it doesn't matter if he is guilty or not, and I have no problem with that, because, in my opinion, a true artists remains a true artist despite his eccentricity... But I know that a lot of people don't agree with me. But even today, innocent as he is, some doubt may remain...

In France, when you are famous, you have very few chance to be on trial: when Johnny Hallyday is accused of sexual abuse, Bernadette Chirac defends him on national television. In the United States, when you are famous, you get more exposed to legal problems: the more you are famous, the more you can be on trial... And if you are a black person, the probability is eventually stronger. Chuck Berry was put to jail, and so were Cassius Clay and James Brown. Michael Jackson, who faced prison, followed the same road.

All the critics against Michael Jackson look like revenge. People always try to get vengeance from great artists through moral and political considerations. Michael Jackson has been subjected to that rule.

A: What question would you like to ask him?
FT: I would be curious to know if he shares my thoughts and analysis. For example, I'd also like to know if the fact he is the first black man to sell more records than white artists has been an artistic or political satisfaction for him? I'd like to ask him that because I'm not sure he has this political vision in what he does. Songs like Beat It, Thriller & Bad deal with rebellion. Is he a show business rebel, or is his statement deeper than that - does he mean something more political behind the show? What is his path, does he want to take revenge, like Cassius Clay did: suddenly, a black man becomes THE world champion. And Clay's political vision actually fitted the era...
Is Michael Jackson only about Entertainment, or does he have a something else to show and say?

ft_03.jpg


Audio:
- Interview: what would you like to ask Michael Jackson ?
- Frédéric Taddei's Favorite Track: Beat It


TV: Ce Soir Ou Jamais
Monday to Thursday - France 3 - 11.25pm

Radio: Regarde les Hommes Changer
Monday to Friday - Europe 1 - 03pm / 04pm


Photos + Interview: Alexandra Justamente
Text: Alexandra Justamente / Richard Lecocq
Design: MJ data bank / Alexandra Justamente
Editig: MJ data bank
(C) 2007, 2008 Alexandra Justamente / MJ data bank​
 
Harrison Funk:

Legendary photographer

reflects on Thriller


"Thriller is the best experience of my lifetime"​

Where: London / England

When: Nov. 25th, 2007 Just think of Thriller, the Victory Tour, The Bad Tour & beyond... Well, Harrison Funk was just there. He's one of the key photographers who has been working with Michael Jackson for several decades. And 25 years after its release, he reflects on Thriller.



harrison02.jpg


Alexandra: First of all, thank you for accepting this interview. I can't imagine this section without you sharing your thoughts and feelings about Thriller.

We celebrate THRILLER's 25th Anniversary: How do you feel about it ?
Harrison Funk: Well, I'm not just a fan, I'm also someone that has had the opportunity to work with Michael and I respect the man tremendously. Thriller is probably the most important single record in the last 30 years... Maybe the last 40 years. Thriller had more effect on the essence of the music industry than any record I can think of. I'm sure that there are Beatles, Stones and Led Zeppelin fans who'd disagree with me but look at the facts.

He did something that no one else had been able to achieve in the music industry. First he has sold the most albums and singles ever produced, and secondly, and this is the most important thing, Michael single-handedly turned around a music business that was dying in the early 80's as a result of five years of Discomania. I think that when Michael released Thriller, he changed emphasis of the music business 'round from Disco to Pop and Hard Rock 'n' Roll... Well, just think of that amazing Eddie Van Halen guitar solo on Beat It. Michael's respect knew no boundaries - not race, culture, sexual orientation, or simple musical preference. I remember commenting many times during the Victory Tour on how diverse the audience was on any given night!

I think that Billie Jean was a masterpiece, Thriller of course is a brillant song... The video was one of the best ever produced at that time and pioneered the concept of a "narrative music video", the music video that was basically a short film, a style which has lasted in one form or another ever since. It pioneered the use of great special effects. To me it was a beautiful era, it was a fantastic time and I'm very pleased I had the chance to be part of it.

A: What is your favorite track ?
HF: I wore out 4 vinyl copies of that album... I worn them out to the bone... and I'm not even a DJ! I don't think it's possible to choose just one song... I think my favorite track probably is Beat It... Ok, can I pick two? (Laughs) My favorite tracks are Beat It and Billie Jean. I'll tell you why those two: because those two tracks more than any single musical pieces in our lifetime continue to get people - who are sitting down the corner of a club doing absolutely nothing - up and dance and I don't care where you are in the world. The moment a DJ spins Beat It or Billie Jean, somebody's up to dance. I guess Beat It really changed the face of music. I think because it incorporated Pop, Disco and Rock 'n' Roll all on one. After all, who else in that era would have thought to incorporate Rock musicians on a Pop track?

A: As a longtime collaborator, what would you say about Michael Jackson and Thriller that people should know ?
HF: It's not just about Thriller but about all Michael always has always stood for. Besides his talent as a musician and entertainer, it's his humanitarian efforts. The fact that he really wanted to bring joy and happiness to sick and disabled children. The hugeness of this album, the extreme fame, allowed Michael to make a very poinient statement. Michael has always used that fame to give to others. He worked with lots of charities to help sick children and their families. He worked very hard every day yet during the Thriller period, through the Victory Tour and even after, he'd go and visit children's hospitals, do appearances for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, local hospices when he was off, much of the time it went unnoticed by the media. That was Michael's decision, these were private moments dedicated to help. Lots of artists today don't do that, you don't see them as concerned as Michael was.

A: You were part of the Thriller era. Looking back to those days, how can you describe the effect and impact Michael had with Thriller - visually and musically?
HF: I think as far as videos go, Thriller is one of the best ever... if not the best. It created a style that influenced lots of directors for the future. I think that music video, with a strong storyline, dance sequences and special effects, paved the way for the greatest music videos after that. Michael opened up an entire genre of music video different to anybody else. Visually, Michael always took chances and it was great to be a part of that. Michael's words will resonate with me forever... "Make it look magic".

If you look across the 5 years Thriller was at the top of the world, there are lots of different wonderful memories, I mean the magic of the Victory Tour etc... And I'm proud to be an element that took part of it. I helped to create all those magazines that talked about Michael Jackson and this is also why I have a different look on it all. I just only can say that it was one of the best experiences of my lifetime.


harrison01.jpg


Harrison with the Thriller 2001 Special
Edition CD booklet - featuring one of his pictures.


Harrison Funk's Favorite Track:
Beat It​



Photos + Interview: Alexandra Justamente
Text: Alexandra Justamente / Richard Lecocq
Design: MJ data bank / Alexandra Justamente
Editing: MJ data bank
(C) 2007 & 2008, Alexandra Justamente / MJ data bank​
 
My earliest memory of Thriller was hearing Billie Jean while i was on holidays in Spain
 
I love this thread!

I cannot remember my earliest memories of Thriller because I was not even born yet when it came out! LOL.

The CD is a masterpiece!
 
Bee1983 said:
I love this thread!

I cannot remember my earliest memories of Thriller because I was not even born yet when it came out! LOL.

The CD is a masterpiece!
Click to expand...

I agree with all of the above!!!!!

I can't believe Frédéric Taddeï doesn't own a copy of THRILLER!!! :no: Man, he just DOESN'T KNOW what he's missing :no: :no:
 
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I don't exactly remember when was the first time I heard Thriller, it was realeased the year before I was born so I was late for the big bang it caused.
It was probably something like what moonwalker5885 said.

The album is no doubt a masterpiece, it was state of the art at the moment it came out, and still today the music industry turns to it for inspiration.
 
i was there and blown away then and still am. not another Album has touched so many lives around the whole world and leave a lasting impression. this album had that Once in a Lifetime "IT" that spoke to a whole generation of fans.
 
I just remember listening to Thriller as it played every day on the play-ground at my school and waiting to get home to watch whatever videos of him I could. I also remember how we purchased 3 tapes of Thriller, lost one, and litteraly wore-out the other two...lol. Those were the days. :wub:^_^

Still today if I could go back to just one day and re-live it again, I wouldn't waste a second in doing so. :wub:

1983-84 was literally the best year of my life.
 
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I was 6 years old, I used to listen to Thriller with my cousins when it was first released, I was young but I can remember very well almost everything especially the day I got all excited watching MJ’s performance on video at Motown 25 performing Billie Jean, I asked to have that VHS tape so badly and it contains the making of Thriller as well, it was amazing! I can remember very well how Michael mania used to be at that time, words cannot describe it! Since Thriller I became a big fan of Michael Jackson. There are lots of great memories.
 
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