Фантастична история, разказана от Брад, за да предизвика приказни спомени и да покаже колко грижовен истински и блестящ е бил МИХАИЛ. Историята е за гениална идея, която Майкъл имал изневиделица за напълно неочаквана коледна песен, но която искал да осъществи въпреки всичко. И изненада всички с решителността си.Francesca De Donatis благодаря ти
TBT
"Brad... You're going to be Santa!"
Late summer 1994
421 West 54th Street
New York, NY
Hit Factory Recording Studio
6th Floor
Michael Jackson's HIStory project was in full swing.
We had studios operating in NY, LA, Atlanta and Minneapolis, sometimes as many as 13 rooms working at once.
Tapes were being shipped cross-country, choirs were being flown in, it was a lot of pressure as we pushed towards the finish line.
Then Michael had an idea.
He wanted to record a Christmas song.
A song composed by John Williams for the Home Alone soundtrack.
A song that... had already been recorded.
That didn't stop Michael - he wanted to record it.
We quickly recorded the music (it likely took less than a day), but the spotlight of the song is a kid's choir. We had already assembled a kid's choir in New York and I had the director's number handy. Michael asked me to book a date when the choir could come in, and sort out the details. Easy enough.
We scheduled the choir (about 20 kids as I recall) for a three-hour session about two weeks out.
To sing a Christmas song.
That almost certainly would not be on the album.
But Michael wanted to do it.
By now I had arranged for countless sessions like these, ensuring the room was going to be perfect, Bruce Swedien's microphones would be properly placed, etc. Not to sound flippant but this was my job and I was good at it. But Michael wanted this session to be a bit more special.
MJ - "Brad, we need to decorate the studio."
Me - "Decorate? I don't really think that's necessary as they will only be here for three hours."
MJ - "We need to decorate. For Christmas!"
Me - "I don't know if we can really find Christmas decorations this time of year in stores..."
MJ - "Brad, we need to decorate."
(At this point the camera fades out then fades back in to see a New York prop company filling the studio with fake snow, a sleigh, a bridge, a giant Nativity, Christmas trees, lights, lamp posts, etc.)
A few days later...
Me - "It looks like the decorating is a bit over the top. Everything else good?"
MJ - "We need catering for the kid's choir and their families."
Me - "Catering? They're only going to be here for three..."
MJ - "Yes, we need catering. And remember, their families will be here also so make sure we have plenty.
I arrange catering... a day or two passes.
MJ - "Are we ready for the Christmas choir?"
Me - "Ummm, yes. The studio looks like a winter wonderland and we have a great catering company lined up."
MJ - "What about gifts?"
Me - "You do realize it's not really Christmas, right? We don't need to get gifts - they will be paid union scale..."
MJ - "I've already decided what gifts to give them. Gameboys! With all the games and batteries!"
Me - "How many...?"
MJ - "Enough for each singer AND their brothers and sisters!"
(At this point the camera fades out and then fades back in to see Hit Factory runners chasing all over NYC buying Game Boys, games, batteries, and our production assistant Rachel wrapping them up in bright paper and bows in a lounge that we have converted into a wrapping room).
A day later...
MJ - "Are we ready for the Christmas choir?"
Me - "I don't know... you tell me. (my feeble attempt at sarcasm.) Yes, we are ready! We have the decorations, the food, the gifts - and we might even do a bit of recording!"
MJ - "We need a Santa!"
Me - "OK, slow down. I don't think there is any way we can find a Santa in New York in the summer. I'm sorry, but I don't see that happening."
MJ - "Brad, YOU are going to be Santa!"
Me - "I don't really see that happening, but let me see who I can calll..."
MJ - "Brad - YOU are going to be Santa!"
(At this point the camera fades out and then fades back in to see me in full Santa garb with my trusty elves Brian and Rachel, handing out gifts and having one of the most memorable days in a recording studio imaginable.)
Me - "Merry Christmas Michael."
MJ - "Merry Christmas Brad!"
If you want to see, hear and experience more of THAT session (in much greater detail), plus hear stories and interviews from me and many of my friends who also worked with Michael about real-life with Michael Jackson in the studio and Neverland, join me this weekend for "A Very Neverland Christmas" Livestream!
Saturday at 1pm New York Time - LIVE, with full chat interaction!
Tickets on sale now https://www.facebook.com/events/504531647269105
Enjoy your weekend, and Merry Christmas!
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