David Williams
Although session guitarist David Williams was virtually unknown to the listening public, he appears on some of the best-selling pop albums of all time, lending subtle but substantial contributions to blockbusters including Michael Jackson's Thriller, Madonna's Like a Virgin, and Whitney Houston's self-titled debut. Born November 21, 1950, in Newport News, VA, Williams began his career in 1968 as a sideman for R&B group the Dells. The Vietnam War interrupted his momentum, and after a tour of duty with the U.S. Army he settled in Los Angeles, appearing on several Temptations sessions following Motown Records' relocation from Detroit to Southern California. In time, Williams' understated yet funky approach captured the attention of legendary producer Quincy Jones, and in 1979 Jones recruited the guitarist to back Jackson on the singer's breakthrough solo effort, Off the Wall, highlighted by contributions to the smash singles "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough" and "Off the Wall." Dates in support of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and the Pointer Sisters followed, and in 1982 Jackson and Jones again called on Williams in advance of sessions for the superstar's forthcoming Thriller. Williams' now-immortal solo on the Jackson hit "Billie Jean" was in fact recorded during demo sessions at the gloved singer's home studio -- subsequent attempts to recapture the solo's taut immediacy were unsuccessful, but the resulting single was seamless (engineer Bruce Swedien reportedly created 91 different mixes prior to release) and topped the Billboard charts for seven consecutive weeks, additionally earning Grammy awards in the Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance categories. Williams again reunited with Jackson for 1987's Bad and 1991's Dangerous, appearing on singles like "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Black or White." Other session highlights include the Footloose soundtrack, Madonna's True Blue, Bryan Ferry's Mamouna, and Mariah Carey's eponymous debut LP. In addition, he toured with headliners like Prince, Phil Collins, and Lionel Richie. Williams died of cardiac arrest on March 6, 2009, a week after suffering a major stroke -- he was 58.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
Similar artists
-
-
-
Resonate Damage Extended
Electronic - Released by David Williams on 17 sep. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Baby Tie Your Shoes Up
Rock - Released by David Williams on 11 jul. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heartburst
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 25 apr. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Where Did We Go Wrong
Jason Nutter, Nolan Moore, David Williams
Rock - Released by Melrose And Mayhem Records on 16 mei 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Machinist
Alternative en Indie - Released by David Williams on 6 dec. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Free beat 3
Afrika - Released by 4862719 Records DK on 23 jul. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
To write love on her arms
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 21 nov. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sirens (Deaf Drummers Mix)
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 12 dec. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Amongst The Stars
Dance - Released by JEM RECORDS on 21 okt. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Drift into you
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 5 dec. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
David Williams
Rock - Released by David Williams on 14 jul. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Light Blinded Longing
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 19 nov. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Risk It
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by David Williams Music on 20 jul. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Environmental Acousmatics - A Collection of Acousmatic Works 2012-2016
Alternative en Indie - Released by David Williams on 1 feb. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lucy and the Lord Mayor's Show
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by One Media iP Group on 26 sep. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sunward Turn
Alternative en Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on 29 mei 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
David Williams
Humour - Released by 4862719 Records DK on 24 jan. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The inspiration vol,1
Humour - Released by 4862719 Records DK on 24 jan. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -