MJ's "Beat It" - The Untold Story by Tom Bähler

[@djsdontdance]

Anthony I'm 56 years old and on the 9th of January this year i was admitted to hospital and as i write this in still here. I found you on KZbin 2 days into my stay. I can't explain how your videos have got me through some of my dark days. I've had smiles and tears throughout. I'm a massive music history geek and they have been so up my street. Thank you so much. Paul.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Hi Paul, first of all please take good care of yourself and get well soon! I’m so happy you wrote to me about the emotions the channel is conveying to you. Wishes you many days of light and joy ahead. Hugs, Anthony

[@djsdontdance]

@@anthonymarinellimusic Thank you for your kind words Anthony. I've been told to say that i could be discharged from hospital on Friday. I hope one day we bump into each other at a convention in England. Take care and keep music alive. Paul x

[@AG-fg1uk]

❤

[@shanefoote4808]

Love this story. Michael picking out that drum case sound is what makes him a genius the general public don’t understand.

[@SoundAuthor]

I love that the captions translated “synclavier” to “single beer”. I’m calling it The Single Beer from now on 😂

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Lol

[@a_nick_t]

I’m getting sink beer and sinkle beer. 😂

[@RobSmith-rn3ie]

Sing clear 😂

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

Tom is right. Thankyou for this whole thing. I've spent my entire life knowing that surely Michael was intimately involved in every step but have never had any insight into how the studio operated with him in it.

[@CaptainEO27]

NGL, hearing Tom speak gave me a lump in my throat. What a LEGEND. I mean this guy wrote She's Out Of My Life! Thank you..

[@elijimenez7710]

YUP 💯 %!!!

[@lamsior]

I could easily watch this for 6 hours i'm not even kiddin.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

We have a full 3 hour version dropping next week

[@MattPicsET]

I always wondered what “drum case beater” meant in the liner notes, what a great story! Thanks for having Tom share his story ✨

[@mgpoolpromgpoolpro6185]

really cool story and a big part of music history... r.i.p Michael the backbeat was a TR 808 🔉🔉🔉

[@MeltWithU]

It’s crazy to me to think that Michael was so in tune with the sounds he was looking for that something is simple as an accidental screwdriver falling down onto a drum case, could spark excitement into him… Truly amazing. He truly was a genius in the way, that he wanted to put these songs together. Regardless, if he had written them or not… He knew exactly what he wanted, the sound he was going for. It shows how intricate his mind was thinking… That he knew, again, the sounds that he wanted, but not exactly how to get them. I got into a conversation about songwriting the other day with another musician and I said to him that it’s the unexpected, happy little accidents that make… that can make the biggest difference in a song for the artist. Because 98% of the people listening… unless they are listening on a pair of headphones, may never hear it. But those little things make the biggest difference to the artist recording those songs. The crazy thing is, that when you finally put that good set of headphones on, and hear those little intricacies… You realize how much that little tiny moment or sound in a song actually makes it that much better. How it can take those happy little accidents to find them, and record them… To make that magic happen, sometimes without the artist ever knowing about it. If you listen to the beginning of Lost in Love, the intro… He will notice a sound that sounds like somebody farted into a microphone, which is probably what it is… but it is a sound that I have thought about since the very first time I’ve heard it. Was a producer pissed off at the Band that day? Or was it something the Artist did as a joke and others never picked up on it? Who knows? But it is a talking point that people can talk about for eternity. And again, it’s amazing how a tiny little thing in a song can add so much to it. Even if unintentional. Which is the great thing about writing and recording music. As many artists will tell you, it almost seems like little gifts from God that enter your mind on a moments notice and exit just as fast. Which is why I have an app on my phone to record those little tiny moments whenever they are given to me, from wherever they come from. I know Michael did the same. The statement he made about waking up at 3 AM with a great idea and he was afraid if he didn’t write it down or record it, that God would give it to prince. LoL.

[@Imetalman2000]

You can hear Micheal voice in your head when he tells the story. These stories really make me appreciate this album even more.

[@meilstone]

Thanks for taking us back in time on such an intimate level. MJ was a genius and his legacy lives on!

[@shanus11]

i could listen to stories about making the songs for Thriller/Bad (anything MJ) for hours and hours. Incredible insight into how some of the greatest songs/albums of all time were made with IMO the greatest ever artist. You guys were geniuses, love seeing who was behind the sounds of my life

[@joe-farwick]

you are saving youtube quality regarding music

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Haha thank you 🙏

[@albeckwall]

Steve Lukather has told the story of the cut SMPT time code issue when Eddie Van Halen cut one of the master tapes while rearranging the solo section. Apparently Jeff Porcaro had to record drums to the vocal track and a recording of Michael hitting a trap case. This is like finding a puzzle piece under the table! Bravo!

[@Goettel]

These videos are little nuggets of synth nerd joy.

[@fensterputzernuernberg]

That Tom Bähler had / has me fixed to the screen with his account of the way it was ! Brilliant Tom

[@darryldouglas6004]

So glad these stories are being captured. This is the best use of recording media since that guy in the early 1900s went around America recording people playing music on their porches in rural areas. 😃

[@pandsanthi9072]

The video was great already, but that fourth beat "snare sound"'s story was awesome! I don't think anyone could have imagined that! lol

[@MaxFury_Official]

Why is it always so funny when everyone imitates Michael's voice? No matter how weird Michael talked, people still listened to him, and that's good cause without that gong the song just wouldn't have been the same. Oh and btw Tom if you're reading this. I used to hit on girls by jokingly imitating Michaels crying on 'She's Out of My Life' and saying how much i loved it even as a guy, always got people in general to crack up. But especially the girls they really seemed to enjoy it when admitting to listening to Michael and Spice Girls forexample. Thanks for writing it, Tom!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Hahahaha your right

[@ferdinandobarisciano6934]

Anthony, the moment Tom remember about Michael's imaginative way of comunicating i've felt so emotional and nostalgic. Thank you for this precious material!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Tom is Truly Amazing!

[@steviesindahouse4903]

@@anthonymarinellimusicThank you so much for these videos Anthony, including this one with your friend Tom. I thought Iʼd mention something here that youʼll absolutely know about Tom, but maybe not everyone; that he wrote Sheʼs Out Of My Life; Iʼm not sure Iʼll get this exactly right, but as I understand it, Frank Sinatra was going to record it when Quincy requested it, without a particular idea of exactly what he was going to do with it, but promising Tom that it would be worth it. Some time later he thought it might be right for Michael .. and the rest is history .. Iʼve had the infinite pleasure of meeting Larry Carlton; I asked him if Michael was there when he recorded his part to which he replied no; I think this is very interesting in the context of what Tom says about Quincy not needing to be there all the time; also in terms of chasing the exact right sound I recall an interview with Steve Lukather where he talked about the to and fro over the subtleties they required of his guitar parts .. and all of this is why, as you say, Thriller is still in the year end Top 10! I reguarly see it in the current Billboard 200 .. actually, I just checked .. this week itʼs at #110 (mixing it with Doja Cat, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, as well as Nirvana, Bob Marley and Aerosmith!) Thank you for your part in making some of the greatest music ever .. certainly for some, including myself, worthy of being spoken of in the same breath as Beethovenʼs 9th. Iʼd love to hear stories to do with Rock With You and Sheʼs Out Of My Life. Take care. 👌 .. 😀 .. ✌️ .. 👋

[@issiewizzie]

It's like going back in time. It's nice to catalogue all this for future generations thanks to Tom Bähler

[@Gabrielle4870]

All I can say is thank you. It matters so much..MJs legacy lives on and continues giving.

[@zootook3422]

Amazing stories to hear. And how Michael really had a vision of him music. Genius!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

He was a visionary !!

[@cortical1]

You're killing it, Anthony. I don't say this lightly. Your channel is burgeoning and blossoming, guided by your knowledge and experience, your sense of what content is important and, hence, should be prioritized, and your sense of taste as well. So great to have these stories recounted for posterity first-hand by those who lived them. Cheers.

[@cortical1]

@vodka1234 I hope Anthony will be giving my good friend Rick Beato a run for his money, albeit focusing on his own brand of synths and music. 🏆

[@alexkx8599]

We have waited decades for this...

[@jangayen]

When you finally meet again and realise you’re both fathers of the “child”, and how each of you together have contributed to its unique existence. That’s a kind of love❤

[@y2k1998]

Anthony, you are a BLESSING! Michael’s influence will last forever, but the knowledge about the village of so many musical scholars who sat in those sessions is incomparable. Thank you so much for answering so many questions about the greatest album of all time, you’re a legend in your own right, sir. I’ve always wondered how the kick was so tight for Billie Jean, what effect the beginning of Beat It was, how the beautiful lush keys of The Girl Is Mine was layered.. SO MANY THINGS you’ve answered! So much history!

[@clintlagerberg]

We're so blessed to have you guys sharing these amazing stories and priceless wisdom. Thank you!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Our pleasure!

[@funkeinstein]

We all want to thank you guys! these videos are like gold on the internet, All producers like me out there, have investigated MJ's albums for a long long time, and it's unbelievable to hear these stories from you, who are the writers of these stories :) thanks a million times.

[@XenoghostTV]

Tom Bähler describing MJ's reaction to the gong sound being somewhat different from what he'd heard and how he reacted again after Bruce Swedien transformed it is absolutely priceless. So is the fact that Tom didn't hesitate one bit before playing the exact same notes as the Synclavier demo song after MJ asked him. I would really like to thank Tom Bähler for so beautifully describing his experience and his memories with MJ, even the funny impressions. I mean it. I feel honored to get to know these insights on working with Michael Jackson himself and what went into the creation of the most important album ever and to be fair, I am in utter disbelief over the events that lead to a single sound from Beat It. It's insane how the goofy scene Tom witnessed is connected to Anthony's confusion upon seeing MJ apparently beating a drum case. On his very first day in MJ and Quincy Jones' studio too... I am just in awe. Liking, subscribing and leaving this comment can't express a tenth of my gratitude for this sort of archive of technical and musical experience your team (I guess? I don't know if Anthony Marinelli manages the channel by himself) is providing us. "the song exists in the universe, so we're just gonna tap into the whole thing" well said, Anthony. God bless you all.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

I see every comment thank you very much for your thoughtful one 🙏

[@XenoghostTV]

@@anthonymarinellimusic No problem, much respect.

[@nikjanevmusic]

This is simply amazing.. please keep them coming

[@jdmjesus6103]

Thanks for this, I've never really been an MJ fan (the world would be boring if we all liked the same things!) but I've always loved beat it. Really interesting to hear this back story. Fyi, beat it was one of the tracks on one of the 'memory cards' on my little yamaha portasound keyboard from when I was a kid in the 80's, my first keys. I still have it too!

[@joenewman1096]

What a joyful ending to a truly inspirational insight, shed a tear of joy there ❤

[@unclemick-synths]

More than just a historical record, this is educational because although they're great stories, they're not the usual rock'n'roll BS. It's like the Lewisohn book on the Beatles sessions - no hero-building, just insight into the process.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Thank You

[@Qbano1978]

This is amazing. Watching a video like this makes me listen to the music all over again, but in a different way. MJ was a genius and so are all of you who worked on his projects. Best regards from Cuba 🇨🇺

[@jonnection]

Ok so this channel is rapidly moving towards the #1 spot of things I watch on YT. Excellent video, super interesting guest, great story. Thank you & Tom!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Wow, thank you!

[@PeerHond69]

What a privilege to hear this conversation! Thank you so much, gentlemen!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Our pleasure!

[@redwalks]

Hi Anthony , it's about time to leave a comment to your channel ! The thing that strikes me most is: how the heck can somebody sooo chilled , relaxed, modest, most downest to earth as I never experienced before, so un-conceited and sympathetic (after working with thee biggest names in music biz) be so talented and skilled in playing and joyfully explaining music theory to us lil bedroom producers ??? Uc I'm already running outta words for one of the best channels on YT. Big ups for you, Dante and your whole team for delivering us regularily inside infos, specialists expertise in a made easy to understand and highly entertaining manner - deffo a skill not too many ppl own ! Thx sooo much and pls continue taking us on your future journeys, Anthony !!! It's an honour to have found you here ...

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Thank You so much, I appreciate your thoughtful comment

[@57kod]

Watching this video was an incredibly moving experience for me. Hearing firsthand from a musician who collaborated with Michael Jackson gives such a profound insight into the recording process of the song. It's hard to put into words, but seeing a legend like this sharing their memories and experiences touches me deeply in my soul. This song has always been one of my favorites, and getting this glimpse behind the scenes only deepens my appreciation for it. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey!

[@Tony-yd7rr]

Thank you for keeping the music history alive! Your series on the making of the hits will forever be memorialize.❤

[@YodatheHobbit]

GREAT point about making music from the sounds of the universe. As a kid, I used to take a folded in half soda can and make songs with the noises it would make. Just riffs using it as an instrument and it was amazing that I could get around at least 5 sounds out of it. If I ever get the guts to write a song as an adult maybe I'll try using one to get that sound again.

[@adriancscott]

I just soooo love the internet in “absorption mode”! Thank you Anthony, Tom, Dr. Mix: and many more) Finally seeing this iconic music history “As told in front of the cozy fireplace” of those responsible behind the scenes (Wizardry)! Not only that, but the synthesis, recreation and breakdowns. Fantastic! Thank you, I could lap this up for years! A dog is never too old to learn new tricks:)

[@slottygw2wvw842]

Anthony please never stop we need to have all the info you can share. You are a museum within yourself your mind and this point in time.

[@ChomsyAllen]

More gold. Thank you.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

You bet!

[@raingirlcat2245]

I love reading and learning about synth/modular programming, specifically from MJ’s LPs down to the bone. While each piece of instrumentation matters, synths were a big part of MJ’s sound, so I love delving into the patches.

[@MacLamar]

All I can say is thank you for making these videos. There is no other way on this planet that all of us out here could have the opportunity to hear the behind the scene stories which are fantastic and so interesting.

[@xSoNiCcRaCkErSx]

Damn you just keep getting all these amazing characters to come and speak on such a historically unknown past that so many of us are in the dark about. My mom loves Michael and I showed her to your channel and keeps talking about it every time she talks to me. She credits Michael for being the role model that pulled 2 of her children out from a gangster lifestyle after listening to and imitating rap.

[@Clupea101]

Amazing , story. Pure Quality 👍

[@totomarley1939]

Tom was also responsible in great part to David Cassidy's career for one and The Partridge Family, Love American Style, etc. Great great underrated talent

[@steves.4720]

I read the liner notes on the Thriller album sleeve for every track over and over again as a kid. I never imagined that I'd get to hear from those people and learn the stories behind the creation of those songs. It's a dream come true thanks to you, Anthony. Thank you so very much and please keep them coming!

[@Md2802]

It's fantastic hearing all this new information at such a granular level. Love to see these two long-lost friends reconnecting in real-time, too. Surprisingly beautiful. I can't wait to hear the rest of this interview.

[@dstorfer]

Anthony is the nicest guy in the world. And everyone he has on also seems to be just as nice. He's a one man peace and love world.

[@cactus-wren]

Cool! Love this album!

[@itsChris.x]

Goats

[@ssommerfeld]

What a great behind the scenes interview. Thank you!

[@andreymoskalenko5775]

Tom is a great storyteller!

[@LouisDechange]

Just checked the credits on my Thriller Vinyl copy, and got so excited to see the drum case beater thing below Beat It 😭 Gosh, I love this man and his whole team ✨

[@CarfDarko]

Most people only hear the end result but the amount of amazing creative stories out there are those that can give a song just so much more depth. Thanks for making it possible to share your stories, I am sure a lot of creators can learn much and hopefully get inspired. The heart is at the right place in your videos which to me is one of the most important ingredients in creativity. Keep up the great work

[@Pixelsurgery]

I’m so happy to have found your channel, hearing this other side of Michael and creative process behind his projects.

[@Zoro-go1mc]

Beat It is my favorite song ever, thanks for the great stories

[@cactus-wren]

I watched this video again, I love the way he remembers these stories, makes you feel like if you were right there next to him. Also at the end of the video when he said "It's a thrill to me". I saw what he did there... haha :) Thanks for sharing this living gems to everyone, also you are a legend, Anthony!

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Well said

[@johnny14794]

Wow this is fantastic and on Epic proportions! 2 legends in one location making history. Bahler still got it!!! Thanks for this video Anthony.

[@whbs9357]

Thank you for this interview with Tom Bahler. I worked with Tom at a Nashville session. He is such a fine talent-- and a helluva nice guy. I enjoyed the interview.

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Thank you for sharing! This was a lot of fun, thanks for introducing us to Tom and his story. I appreciate your comments about tapping into the sounds that are already out there, I remember Bob Moog saying something very similar about being a “receiver” and I feel blessed to feel that way myself. I’m glad to hear you reaffirm this phenomena that is almost on a spiritual level in many ways. 👏🏼🤘🏼

[@mirkostrau9439]

Thanks! Really enjoying the stories and inspiration you bring ❤

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Glad you like them!

[@RollFoxRobloxMore]

I’ve recently been in touch with Tom and might I say, what a wonderful dude! He wrote one of my dad’s biggest hits, named Julie, do you love me”. Have been looking forward to this interview for months and have not been disappointed. Thanks to you both for this!!🙏🙏 Tyler

[@woodgrayneent]

Just found you and I'm so excited to hear all these stories. Thank You!!!

[@kcaparotta]

Wow, wow, wow! Thank you, Anthony and Tom! I'm currently prepping to play the keyboard 2 book on MJ the Musical, and it's so fascinating to hear about the genesis of so many of these iconic sounds. These anecdotes show what a consummate professional Michael was, and how relentless he was in pursuit of musical perfection.

[@80ssynthfan48]

I literally had recently been thinking about what the "electronic" snare sound on Beat It was.

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

And it ended up being very acustic

[@Lorenzo-fw3gx]

These memories are beautiful. Thanks Anthony for sharing them and your friends memories with us as well. So awesome!!!! ❤

[@prod.everlasting7030]

Thank you for sharing your stories 🙏🏽🫶🏽

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Thanks for listening

[@kitchrst]

I love these interviews.. absolutely fascinating!

[@KingMJForeverAndEver]

So lovely to hear these amazing stories about my favorite song ever Beat It. Thank you for all you both do. Definitely means everything to all of us ✨👑✨

[@infn8loopmusic]

What an interesting and entertaining story! It's quite nice to take this walk through nostalgic times and hear about how these legendary records came together and fostered friendships along the way.

[@gearslasher7383]

I think, at 15:16 you're looking for "vulcanized fibre". That was quite commonly used for drum cases, which are extremely durable.

[@ssommerfeld]

Excited to see this!

[@WouterB76]

The backstorys to the albums of MJ could fill many more hours of video, i love it!

[@anthonyh4125]

Yes, please keep making your videos. We are learning so much from two seasoned professionals about the music that was and still is enjoyed by many. So interesting and invaluable and thank you for your time making them.

[@burntvirtue]

Don't cut people off at the end, especially when they just want to express how meaningful an experience this is for them and to communicate it to you. There's no time limit here. Let it roll.

[@AldoKoskettimet]

Anthony, thank you for documenting such beautiful stories about your fantastic experiences as a musician! It's a heritage for posterity

[@PJRII]

Thank you Anthony, thank you Tom...these untold first hand stories about the music we love are invaluable. I'm so grateful for this channel, congratulations Anthony.

[@michael4591]

Thank you, you guys are legends!

[@arpibeglaryan8290]

This is so amazing when they talk about how he was creating! Need more such kind of videos for understand how genius Michael is! The unique one! ❤

[@dghazd5862]

Subscribed to one of the greatest "musical history" channel Keep up the good 👍🏽 work.

[@rudeesade]

I am so grateful and inspired by this series and Stories in the Room. I feel so great having company being such a deep nerd about the musicality. And also it is wonderful to see the reverence for MJs artistry and getting to know more about the absolutely amazing folks behind the scenes who contributed brilliance. I get so happy and into this. Thank you all so much. For then and for now.

[@indiegrab360]

Interesting story!!

[@dragonmobrecords]

Fantastic conversation. Sharing those moments in the studio that no one else witnessed.

[@tracyyy99]

Aww man, you guys are so awesome, i just love the history of this particular record. I can never ever hear enough of what went on. Thank You for this.

[@morganlundin5029]

Wow! This is so cool! Every time I see one of your videos about the Thriller album, I just put the record on and play it to hear everything you have been telling us and showing us. You are opening up a whole new way of listening to this amazing album! Thank you so much for sharing all the stories!

[@JamesMyddelton]

Great interview, thanks

[@robertohoyos1734]

Wonderful to hear these stories from the people themselves. Thank you Tom and Anthony. I’ve been reading Man in the Music where they go song by song on every MJ album and talk production and songwriting. Hopefully it’s accurate. Thank you again!

[@alexwmusic]

One mystery still remains. Right before Van Halen's guitar solo. you can around 2:44 into the song hear a knocking sound in the left field. People have mistakenly believed that the "drum case beater" credit to be this sound, but what is it? Other guesses have been Eddie knocking on his guitar or someone knocking on the door during the recording session.

[@derekbell1624]

Anthony, THANK YOU so much for providing this content. It's much appreciated.

[@MusicoElectronico]

Great story! Thanks for sharing 🎶 🎵 ❤

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Thanks for listening

[@ZekeMagnar]

Wow! What a story. Thanks to both of you for sharing.

[@EdinJohan]

You guys are just making this awesome historic events come to life! Thank you for this! Hope you get to keep these up and will watch every single one of them!

[@eivind105]

Thank you so much for making these pieces of history available!

[@carl_anderson9315]

I subscribed to several channels about music production because I want to record an album one day but this channel is not about mere production. It’s about the brilliant moments behind it.

[@Station2Station-du2gh]

Another awesome video - love hearing the history. First time we've seen the 4 Voice in the background. You should do a studio tour video:)

[@alphabeets]

So good. SO GOOD! Thanks so much for these videos.

[@yanukadeneth99]

Love this! It's truly amazing to hear these stories. Thank you for doing this and keeping the memories and experiences going on - I think this is what we ultimately do as musicians or are supposed to do. You never know someday in many years someone might use this experience and knowledge and remember Michael Jackson and the whole team behind him who made his visions a reality