The Steel Guitar Forum

Then why didn't he settle out of court the second time? The answer is because the COURT decided that their was not enough basis in the allegation to exist. I myself recognize the second incident as fake. Calvin, you stay right here.

Kevin Hatton wrote:Michael Jackson
A) Wrote NONE of his own hits.

"Billy Jean", one of his greatest hits, was written by him, as far as I know. If there's others, I don't know, I'm no expert on his career.

Was he a musical genius as some people are calling him? That a total laugh.

Go tell that to Quincy Jones, one of those who describes him as a genius. But what does he know, he only worked closely with him on three of the most succesful albums in pop history..

Q.C. used him for a cash cow. Everone did. So did MTV. Don't you get it? They used him. Everyone used him. Of course they are going to say "he's a genius" (which he wasn't). Thats the life of a Super Star. You get used. James Brown was a genius. So was Ray Charles. Thats when you wake up one day and discover, you have very little REAL friends. Not a nice place to be with all that fame and money.

I agree, Steinar. If I had a few hundred million dollars and I was charged with something I did not do, and I faced possible jail time, I would settle out of court for $20 mill. Heck, Jackson paid $15 million for his ranch, and he paid $47 million for the rights to the Beatles songs, so what's another $20 mill. That payment does not prove he is guilty of anything, in my opinion. People were coming after him for money his whole life. They were like bloodsuckers.

Kevin, you must agree that MJ was a tremendous dancer, entertainer, showman. Even Fred Astire was in awe of MJs dancing skills, and he said so.

He was a tragic figure. I hope his soul finds peace. I think it will. I wouldn't have wanted his life. None of it. It was Ringo Starr in an interiew once who said that in that sphere of fame you didn't know who your real friends were unless you had them before. George Harrison absolutely detested all the fame. It really can destroy you. The guy left a mark for a generation thats for sure. Sort of like John Lennon did for his fans. What ever you think about him he was a big part of that era's Pop Culture.

Wow, who woulda thunk it?

You can come to the Steel Guitar Forum and get the inside track on the lives and times of big stars like Ray Charles, James Brown, and Michael Jackson.

That five bucks I paid to b0b for joining up has gone a lot farther than I ever could have imagined!

About all this thread reveals is a lot of frustrated jealousy so far. JMOYMV

I would settle out of court for $20 mill. Heck, Jackson paid $15 million for his ranch, and he paid $47 million for the rights to the Beatles songs, so what's another $20 mill


it whole lota money when your $400 million in debt

Yeah John, and blind sided acceptance of child abuse and mediocre talent.

One thing I've learned... people are going to believe what they want to believe, and no amount of discussion or reasoning is going to change anyone's mind. I still say that history will look very favorably on Michael Jackson. It's already starting to do so. His legacy will be like that of Sinatra, Elvis, and the Beatles... the soundtrack of so many people's lives, and it will be enjoyed by future generations. The rumors about his personal life will be a minor footnote in history, probably long forgotten.

I think it's sad about MJ,BUT think about what a screwed up world we are living in as far as our priorities are concerned,it's been hard to find out on ANY TV channel what's going on in the world,like maybe the economy,Iran,Irag,North Korea,It's all about a rockstar that sang and danced,Twenty four hours around the clock,The media is treating him like he was a God.A few days before he died so did an American patriot pass away,Ed McMahon,A decorated Marine Pilot,who flew eightyfive missions in an UNARMED OE-1 Bird dog.There was SOME coverage on Ed, but NOTHING like this around the clock on MJ,Seems to me something is wrong with this sequence of events. PS,don't think Jackson and Sinatra should be mentioned in the same sentence. The ones that think he was an innocent little angel,are the ones that think the same about O.J. or Phil Spector. DYK?BC.

Reading this thread and some of the comments I am really not surprised, we are now living in a totally polarized society .I'm right you are wrong, and if you don't agree with me, you are an A-hole. We are now free to judge anyone that Court TV says was guilty or decide which politician and political party is better just by the person who is at the top of the ticket. It's the leader , not the party. It's the story, not the facts. 400 million in debt, well, some say that's an outrageous amount of money, and it is if you only earn 2.8 million over your entire 40 year working career. ( 70K/year x 40 years) But if you have the ability to earn 1 billion doing 50 concerts in less than a year , 400 million is nothing.

Trump was farther in debt than 400 million less than a decade back, now ? not. He looked at it as an opportunity and he was right, is right. When he was bankrupt he put together a deal to buy a 250,000,000 business, the investors knew he could do it, just like there is not a promoter on the planet that does not know that MJ could fill 50 concerts at premium prices. Don't forget the hats, shirts, CD's, all that stuff that goes with a concert tour. Say goodbye to 400 million in debt, overnight.

People with this kind of earning power think BIG,out of the box, not small. They are not thinking yearly income with a check every two weeks to pay the mortgage and groceries. That's us, not them. That's why some people cannot wrap there minds around 400 million in debt, they are thinking a paycheck every two weeks. That's the extent of there big vision.

By the way, you all do know that when MJ was on trial, Court TV was on the air 24/7 with the guilty claim, they told everyone 24/7 that MJ was guilty and going down. After the verdict,they went down. They had to change there name to maintain any status at all. They lost all credibility, all those experts, all that wasted talk. There ratings dropped overnight. So I guess the experts are here now.

Some people add to the total equation, some live within it's boundaries and others are a drain on the system.

I find it fascinating, a Steel Guitar player who is asking for tab constantly is critical of MJ's talent and ability.

Here's a nice link to the Thiller album, QJ did not want Beat It on the Album, MJ did.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)

Imagine for a moment if Beat It was not on that LP ?

MJ was not a conventional artist who wrote things on paper, he arrived on the scene and things developed. He changed things as they were happening, he had a vision. MJ played drums on Beat It and it was him who knew he needed a killer guitar on the track, not QJ.

For some of us to just make a blanket statement that MJ was not a talent is so out there. This stuff is right in front of you.

Michael Johnstone:

My wife... worked for the Jackson family, Motown Records and was Diana Ross' personal assistant for years so I know way too much about Michael's dark side and it was all true and even worse than you can imagine I can assure you.

Lisa Marie Presley

"an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated. When he used it for something good, it was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad."

Listen to people who know... neither of these people want money from him. There are a few moral choices that being a celebrity just can't be allowed to override, in my way of looking at things. O.J. was "innocent", too. Adolph Hitler was never convicted of war crimes or genocide! The truth will out, eventually.

And here comes Hitler, that didn't take long.

Tony Prior wrote:And here comes Hitler, that didn't take long.

As far as the Thriller album goes, fellow forum member Dean Parks played guitar on it - namely "Billie Jean" and some others. Him and Steve Lukather handled a lot of what you hear guitar-wise; Eddie Van Halen did the solo on "Beat It", that's about it. And that was spliced up from a bunch of takes, in true EVH style.

I bet Dean could give some insight into the making of that record, but I doubt he wants to get tangled up in this rat's nest.

I actually talked to Lukather about the Thriller album a while back when he was in St. John's on R and R. (He also played bass on "Beat It" and came up with that enduring riff). He said the band consisted mainly of the Toto guys and a few others, and Quincey just furnished them with whatever they needed (it was the '80s) and let them go. I don't believe MJ was around a whole lot while the tracks were bering laid. Keep in mind we were talking over beaucoup beers, so either it's very accurate or total bull.

this is my last post on this subject

not once have i said that he didn't sell X number of records

not once have i denyed he had an impact on pop culture

you say the media can't be trusted , but its the same media that said he sold all those records
and that told about his impact on pop culture and went outa their way praising him
you can't have it both ways , if what i just wrote is to be beleived then so should the rest.... the good and the bad
and lastly... many of you are coming down on me for my comments and thats fine... i should be judged by what i say and do ..but shouldn't he also

And here comes Hitler, that didn't take long.

Yes, now that MJ's been dead for a couple of days the naysayers are starting to show themselves. Let's hope their children are never falsely accused and railroaded by the system. These stone throwers will be on the wrong side of history. That's already starting to happen.

Dan Huff gave a nice phone interview about playing on MJ album.
We all will remember Michael in our own way. I like to remember him with the Jackson 5
He was so talented and no one can take that from him.
God Bless Everyone

Theresa Galbraith wrote: I like to remember him with the Jackson 5
He was so talented and no one can take that from him.
God Bless Everyone

I like your way of thinking, Theresa! Always positive and upbeat. That's what's needed here at this time.

Jackson 5, the little kid in the middle did pretty well!

love those haircuts !

To me music is having fun, enjoyment,it has feelings. The steel guitar and players who play it have that real feeling,you know what I mean. But reading some of the posts on this forum ,some members have little or no feelings. I can 't believe they can play a steel guitar and show no compassion and have so many negative vibes. Like the song says "BE HAPPY" Joe

For who is interested, I made a BIAB-file for Ben. As I cannot upload it here, mail me at johan@steeljj.com when you like to have it.
Regards, Johan

MJ was a money maker, but strange person. He was a good dancer and entertainer.

Did he do anything illegal with children? I don't know. We have no way of knowing. I saw an interview with him on TV last night and he denied anything sexual, but said he liked to have the kids sleep with him in his bed, because he liked to be "close to them".

I have a simple question. Would you want your children visiting a grown man of no relation to them and sleeping in his bed, even though he assured you it was not sexual? Sounds like some questionable parents maybe.

No disrespect meant, but these questions have always been there. MJ's death draws attention to them. He'll answer for what he's done, or didn't do, just like the rest if us. RIP

For who is interested, I made a BIAB-file for Ben.

That's cool, Johan. Lately I've been thinking that "I'll Be There" would may a sweet steel guitar instrumental.

Chas... I'm puzzled by the picture you posted above. Is it humor? Or is it some kind of commentary? I don't get it. Please explain.