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