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
-
Love Is the Thing (Remastered 2024)
Steve Grossman, Cedar Walton, David Williams, Billy Higgins
Jazz - Released by Red records on Jan 5, 2024
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
Modern Standards
Jazz - Released by Sharp Nine Records on May 17, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Remember Cedar
Jazz - Released by Sharp Nine Records on Oct 21, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Up Front
David Williams, Cedar Walton, Billy Higgins
Jazz - Released by Timeless Records on Dec 22, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Manhattan Afternoon
Cedar Walton Trio, David Williams, Billy Higgins
Jazz - Released by Criss Cross Jazz on Jan 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
Jazz - Released by SteepleChase on Jan 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Night Hunter
Ambient - Released by David Williams on Mar 3, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
From many forms
Alternative & Indie - Released by JEM RECORDS on Nov 17, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Little Prayers of Belief
Pop - Released by Trapdoor Media on Mar 13, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Wrapped Up
Blues - Released by Trapdoor Media on Jan 1, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Prophecy II
Film Soundtracks - Released by PERSEVERANCE RECORDS on Jun 13, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Irreconcilable Meditations
Jazz - Released by FLUTEJAZZ on Jun 8, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Myrewood (Original Literary Soundtrack)
Soundtracks - Released by Independent on Jan 7, 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
Where The Dark Road Starts: Songs Of Love
Folk - Released by Trapdoor on Jan 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wild Bear Nature
Folk - Released by Trapdoor Media on Jan 1, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tipping My Hat to Leonard
Folk - Released by Trapdoor Media on May 27, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -