Brothers Johnson

When I went to the session with 'Billie Jean,' I took like 10 basses and I lined 'em up. I'd say, 'Michael, pick one,' he'd pick one with the zebra wood on it. It had 12 different kinds of wood, different layers. It was dark brown and tan and light-colored, and it looked like a tiger or a zebra. Michael picked it because it sounded good. I hot-rodded it. I beefed it up and put extra magnets underneath the pickups. I did all the things I knew how to do to get the best sound. That's how come the bass sounded like that.

Brothers Johnson

entertainment

I had access to all musicians and artists, from Barbra Streisand to Paul McCartney to Michael Jackson, it was like an open door. The Lord blessed me with that — I prayed to God and my prayer he answered. He said, 'OK, you got the whole world now.' Every time I'd get in the car to go somewhere, I'd hear me playing the bass ... I was all over the place. I released the funk on everybody.

Brothers Johnson

entertainment

I've never been given parts to play in my whole life. I'm the most rare bass player in the whole world.

Brothers Johnson

entertainment