1985 was a pivotal time for MTV and Pop Music, Album/Single sales Music Video’s killed the radio star with a passion as for Michael Jackson on top of the world with Thriller the saga hadn’t died down he was hungry for more just purchased The ATV/Beatles catalog after spending nearly Two Years in a studio recording with a small camp of musicians Bill Bottrell John Barnes David Williams Chris Currell, Michael Jackson still had his work cut out for him being a star of 1985’s Disney Nostolga Captain EO and We Are The World he was preparing for his third solo album which would be later known as “BAD” he was checking for fresher sounds different from producer Quincy Jones, he stumbled upon a record ‘Dance Floor” released in 1982 ironically the same year as Thriller, he was very intrigued by the 11mintue funk monster funky guitar plucking hard clapping he wrote a note “Emergency Find The Guitar Player Of “Dance Floor” it was none other than Artist/Leader Of Funk/R&B Band Zapp, Roger Troutman, Roger was from Dayton Ohio similar
to Michael he was a child performer locally in the 1960s/1970s Roger went on to form “Roger And The Human Body then later discovered by Bootsy Collins and George Clinton he then formed Zapp with his brothers signed with Warner Bros, Roger an amazing Multi-Instrumentalist Guitarist/Talkboxer versatile later on became a superstar who ruled the airwaves with his innovative sound
The Two Artist’s met at Havynharse Encino CA The Respect was mutual Michael was impressed with Roger sense of humor and ability the pair hit it off they worked on song’s Al Capone and Smooth Criminal, Tomboy (Remains Unreleased) other material, Roger helped with synclavier Michael was one of the first artists to ever own such a technical instrument, Roger influence can be felt on certain track’s on Bad Album once released Michael Thanked Roger in the credits, here is an excerpt from a Roger interview, Spin, 1988:
“Michael Jackson called me to work on Bad. He said he was impressed with my song ‘The Dance Floor’ and liked its guitar sound. I actually went to his house and worked with him. Everybody kept telling to be careful and not to rub him the wrong way, but I just acted like myself-it tickled the hell out of him, I was just cussing and being myself, doing different things, wandering off into some crazy episodes.”
sure enough, performed a short interlude of Bad On BET Live in 1989 the same year in Zapp V Album Roger thanked Michael Jackson in the credits
Thanks also to Michael Jackson for giving so many of us that continued hope, and for being the ever-bright shining star; and thanks for allowing me the great privilege of visiting your home and studio. Thanks, Michael, also for honoring my music by putting it on your “bad” Bad album.“
Michael Jackson Bad Band performed More Bounce To The Ounce during an intermission groove section in 1989 in Los Angeles the last leg of Bad Tour
Roger influence can be heard on Dangerous Album and Superfly Sister recorded during Dangerous Sessions later released in 1997 (Blood On Dance Floor) Roger tragically passed away in April Of 1999 in a Murder/Suicide
