Comments on: Michael Jackson’s Musicians

By: Kevin Gift Jr.

Kevin Gift Jr. — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Nick, good call on “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”, amazing documentary. I think Benny Benjamin had died by the time the Jackson 5 got signed so it would have been the other Detroit guys up until around ’72 I think when Motown moved to L.A. At that point it was mostly Bernard Purdie on their tracks.

By: Nick Rosaci

Nick Rosaci — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:38:30 +0000

Hi Rafael,

It’s hard to know exactly who with Motown, as in those days, the singers were the important names.

The best that can be done is know the drummers that were on 90% of all the recordings.

Motown didn’t use a single drummer in their recordings. There were usually two, and sometimes three drummers. Benny “Papa Zita” Benjamin and Pistol Allen were most likely the drummers. Uriel Jones may have been on those recordings, too.

If you haven’t, check out the movie and book “Standing in the Shadows of Motown.” The movie is a documentary, and the book is a short biography of James Jamerson, the bassist on most of the Motown recordings, and many transcriptions of his basslines.

By: Rafael

Rafael — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:34:22 +0000

I really need to know who recorded drums during the Motown period of the Jackson 5… Any help?????

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:01:35 +0000

If you don’t think the Porcaro brothers are great musicians, you’re a complete idiot. They are the most recorded musicians in the history of music. Jeff Porcaro (drummer) recorded on more than 1000 songs with several hundred recording artists. Read and become educated before opening your mouth and looking like an absolute fool. And…why would a R&B singer ever want to collaborate with Pavorotti? That is the most ridiculous statement ever written.

By: Nick Rosaci

Nick Rosaci — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:50:20 +0000

Andree, look what you did! You rekindled this conversation! :P

In agreement with everyone else, sticking to one genre of music like this greatly limits your potential as a musician. I am of the belief that a true musician studies all he can about EVERYTHING about music.

It’s funny, though, since I was just like Eric when I was younger. Heck, I was a brass player that only found heroes in classical brass players, too! Eric, I challenge you to listen to Thriller. The whole album. That album had a ton of chart-topping tracks. There is a whole world rich with great music, even outside of American pop or classical. Never stop listening to anything you can get your hands on.

And yes, everyone you mentioned is also a great musician. Though, it’s interesting that you seemed to only point out CSO musicians and Pavarotti. And you forgot Jay Friedman! :P

Speaking of Arnie, I just finished listening to Portrait of an Artist again. Great CD.

By: alanbrown

alanbrown — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:52:51 +0000

To add to the list of brilliant and unique musicians that worked extensively with MJ, I would like to not David Williams who I had the great pleasure of working with some years ago. Sadly no longer with us, David’s signature rhythm guitar has graced nearly 100 hit singles. He loved to point out to people that while the guitar solo on Beat It was Eddie Van Halen most of the other guitar work was him. He had a genuinely unique way of playing. If you want to hear him clearly then listen to the second verse of Madonna’s Live To Tell and his guitar work lifts the track immensely. Unsung hero outside LA in my opinion.

By: sage hopkins

sage hopkins — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:00:30 +0000

What is the difference between an great entertainer and a great musician? Not much, because even the musicians that Eric considers to be the greatest are only considered so because he find them to be entertaining to listen to. If a musician only sounds entertaining to himself, then he probably isn’t that great. Being accomplished at a musical skill makes you good. Using it to uplift the human spirit makes you great, whether you can play 3 chords or 300. I’d rather listen to Johnny Cash than some virtuoso that thinks that all of his listeners are stupid any day. Chops make you employed. Sincerity makes you great. One up/One Down paradigms are for the truly foolish.

By: Andree-Ann

Andree-Ann — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:20:21 +0000

Wow I just somehow stumbled upon this article and the comments…

I myself was always considered a classical musician and even an elitist, but never in a million years would I not admit that Slash and Eddie aren’t way up there with the best. Entertainers and musicians might be two different things, according to Eric, but these guys were musicians who became entertainers. Actually call them whatever you want but they rock!

They had an MJ concert on TV last night – amazing!!

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:16:14 +0000

We love you Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Christopher

Christopher — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:22:45 +0000

The musician’s on MJ’s albums had the perfect chemistry: Paul Jackson Jr., Seawind Horn Section (Jerry Hey for days), Pauhlino Da Costa, Louis Johnson, John Robinson, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Lukather, etc. These folks were a no name band with signature licks and skills that made MJ blow up. Also, due to MJ’s vocal demands, Siedah Garrett was brought in, not to mention Bruce Sweiden as previously mentioned. All this was due to Quincy Jones.