Diversity’s leader zooms to the States to tell a story that’s been told many times before: how Michael Jackson dreamt of his 1982 album Thriller as a pop/soul crossover that would sell tens of millions of copies, and then achieved precisely that. Banjo attacks each of the six single releases in turn, because their accompanying videos were so important and because each new 45 pointed to a new demographic that Jackson was cannily aiming at.
With the notable exceptions of Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton, many of the people who worked with Jackson make themselves available for interview. Banjo himself is mostly an overawed fan but, in the sections about Jackson’s groundbreaking dance moves, he becomes a useful expert.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
1/6. New series. Return of the strand in which familiar faces offer their take on people and subjects that fascinate them. Ashley Banjo heads to America to find out about his idol Michael Jackson and the 1982 album that cemented his status as a global superstar. The Diversity leader meets engineer Bruce Swedien, keyboard player Greg Phillinganes, video directors Steve Barron and Bob Giraldi and choreographer Vincent Paterson, who talk about their experiences of working with the King of Pop, and his enduring legacy.
CAST
- Presenter
- Ashley Banjo
- Contributor
- Bruce Swedien
- Contributor
- Greg Phillinganes
- Contributor
- Steve Barron
- Contributor
- Jeffrey Daniel
- Contributor
- Bob Giraldi
- Contributor
- Vincent Paterson
- Contributor
- Steve Porcaro
- Contributor
- Rick Baker
- Contributor
- John Landis
- Contributor
- Ola Ray
- Contributor
- Travis Payne
