Greg Phillinganes on the Magic Behind the Hits | Red Bull Music Academy

Legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes recalled the stories, and revealed the secrets, behind timeless hits in his lecture at the 2016 Red Bull Music Academy.
TOPICS:
08:15 - Being a session musician
15:10 - Life in Detroit
20:30 - Meeting and working with Stevie Wonder
38:59 - Meeting and working with the Jacksons
48:44 - Recording Off The Wall
1:10:20 - Recording Thriller
MUSIC:
1:19 - Michael Jackson - “I Can’t Help It” • Michael Jackson - Off ...
34:27 - Stevie Wonder - “Isn’t She Lovely” • Stevie Wonder - Isn't ...
38:26 - The Jacksons - “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)” • Video
47:03 - Michael Jackson - “Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough” • Michael Jackson - Don’...
1:08:47 - Michael Jackson - “Starlight” • Video
1:10:07 - Michael Jackson - “Thriller” • Michael Jackson - Thri...
Greg Phillinganes began playing the piano at the tender age of 2 and hasn’t stopped since. Inspired as a youth by the classic Motown recordings of The Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder, Phillinganes began performing with bands around his hometown of Detroit as a teenager.
After Stevie Wonder heard a demo tape of his, Phillinganes was asked to join Wonder’s Wonderlove band and contributed to the landmark album Songs In the Key Of Life. He soon became one of the most in-demand session keyboardists in the music industry and, in 1979, handled arrangements on The Jacksons’ Destiny LP. A close association with Michael Jackson followed, including sessions for Off the Wall and Thriller and a role as Jackson’s touring music director.
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The Red Bull Music Academy is a global music institution committed to fostering creativity in music. We celebrate music, its culture, and the transformative minds behind it. Begun in 1998, the Academy has taken the core principles that underlie its annual workshop for selected participants and applied this curatorial approach to events, lectures, and city-wide festivals throughout the year.

[@pugslysmart1]

CAN YOU PLEASE NOT EDIT OUT MUSICIANS PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENTS??? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

[@CurtisBooksMusic]

It's because of licensing, but still. It's freaking red bull -- they can handle it.

[@pastense]

Serious-FUCKING-ly

[@youngthrill]

I know!!! That pissed me the fuck off! Kmt

[@fificboi]

I reckon

[@guillermodescalzo2505]

This is puuuure shit. If we can't hear the music... what is this??? Idiots. You, KZbin copyrighters.

[@mootbooxle]

It is a CRIME that you had to edit out Greg's piano bits! What's the deal? How in the world can you get a copyright strike for someone playing a tiny piece of a song that's not even a released version of a song? Other than that, great interview. Greg is one of my heroes!

[@Joanna-kx1oy]

Exactly. Takes so much away from the experience

[@dylanemmanuel8915]

It’s called not being able to afford paying the original artists for playing their songs

[@morten1]

youtube etc. is biting its own tail

[@scareddog5280]

​@@dylanemmanuel8915 bro... he's playing a piano... he's not playing the original record.. they're so stupid and gay... and woke...

[@MrCatalysis101]

The way KZbin copyright operates, it's a wonder that we ever get to hear a voice. Stunning wonderful interview ruined by the editing.

[@emaderaghi]

Thanks for saying that👍🏻

[@colaboytje]

This is not KZbin's fault. Red Bull edited it. Greg plays all hits without copyright strikes in other demonstrations.

[@mhtbfecsq1]

Totally 1000% agree. Such a shame.

[@midnightpretenders5749]

Is there a full version anywhere?

[@notsogood9449]

Dude... what's up with the editing? Why are you guys cutting out his keyboard playing?

[@RBMA]

Unfortunately, due to KZbin copyright restrictions, we had no choice but to edit the playing out. Apologies!

[@hidikitalks]

Wow that's a bummer his demonstrations don't count as a fair use educational purpose... after all you are an academy.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Red Bull Music Academy that is pretty sad. We need to HEAR what is being talked about.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Red Bull Music Academy is it uncut on your website at least??

[@ccfunk1]

I agree. not playing records is one thing. but him playing-showing us the parts should be a part of the lecture.

[@puppetsnob]

If you, Red Bu;ll, cannot fight to keep musical references in a video about music hits, then do not bother claiming to support the musical arts.

[@kevinjackson4457]

One of the most ingenious keyboardists and songwriter/ arranger/ session players and they edit out his playing??? The height of assininity!! Unbelievable!!

[@percyvolnar8010]

yep. gotta dislike this video.

[@GiganticSky]

If he can't play piano live how do people do KZbin tutorials of popular piano songs? I know you guys have to play it safe with the edits but this lecture has been neutered

[@timgallagher4288]

you can watch the unedited version here!! www.redbull.com/us-en/episodes/greg-phillinganes-red-bull-music-academy-lectures-s01-e10

[@haitianmaniac74]

At 25 years old Stevie Wonder made Songs In The Key Of Life WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

[@lamsior]

Guys i can admit it now, i can listen to this guy for hours !

[@michael_harren]

Man total bummer to have the playing edited out!

[@samuelbenjamin07]

I'm just realizing Greg is an amazing story teller too😆

[@TonKeys]

Very fortunate to have had a conversation with him, such an inspiration

[@Kablehead]

Even though the music is cut out this is one of the greatest interviews i saw. Thank you. Greg Phillinganes is a huge inspiration. And Jeff's questions are always on point. When i start watching a lecture and see him i know it'll be a good one.

[@podlou9939]

Greg Phillinganes is hilarious! Despite the interviewer.... For me having been intrigued and pleased and excited by Greg's playing for over 35 years, it's a blessing to get to hear the man behind the keys and his personality. I bet he was a right laugh in every studio he played in. It's really wonderful to me to hear him talk. You don't often get to experience that. Those attendees were very lucky. I'm grateful that at least some of the audience got him. Everybody else here complaining about the edit - it's not hard to research on the internet for what you want to hear. For some of us older people music and musical knowledge came in dribs and drabs...we felt lucky to even hold particular pieces of vinyl in our hands and study liner notes for evidence....or some random tune slotted in on a mix cassette borrowed off a friend of a friend, never knowing it's provenance and not finding out and joining the dots for years - nothing was handed to us on an easy plate like the internet gives these days. I for one enjoy this interview very much....in spite of the interviewer!

[@joechampion4484]

Yeah, I thought it was me, but what’s up with the dude interviewing him? He seems like he’s not impressed or has any enthusiasm for talking to one of the greatest musical contributors to some of the greatest music ever created. I don’t know if Red Bull Music Academy is still doing these types of interviews, but is they are, I hope they found a host who actually loves and appreciates great music more than this dude.

[@mono4328]

Wow! Greg could easily write a Netflix series with his material

[@flooey580]

Doesn't copyright law have exceptions for limited quoting for "educational" use? I think that would apply here.

[@enzo--LoL]

sadly though youtube just has an algorithm and terms of use that dont care for educational use.

[@jdstarek]

12:30, nailed it. boundaries allow for creativity. A lack of boundaries creates option paralysis.

[@leahmay1506]

Unbelievable!! What are the odds that these amazing talents would be brought together to create one of, if not the best selling album of all time!! Some sort of force must have been present to unite these genius’. Loved the stories that Greg shared! Wish we were able to hear the samples he played and song references. Edit: forgot to mention that Greg appears to have barely aged! He looks amazing!

[@kilingkiling-tinybell]

The interviewer strikes me as a vulcan from star trek, no emotions which is great because there's no interruptions. Great interview.

[@leelasaraswat4662]

BUT near the end he obviously is seen getting emotional on Greg speaking of Michael's caring qualities.

[@joechampion4484]

Yeah, he obviously is related to someone big at Red Bull to get this gig, otherwise why would anyone hire him to do a job interviewing people he doesn’t seem to like or appreciate.

[@GiganticSky]

Please put these back on Vimeo so we can see/hear the songs being referenced.

[@wizardmix]

This segment more than anything should be the ultimate lesson on how this world often works. I’ll preface by saying that Greg Phillinganes is a testament to how hard work, talent, grace and a positive, humble attitude can get you very far in life and I admire his example wholeheartedly. I know this is going to come off slightly nihilist but really, it’s just knowing the box you’re in: One of the men who is single handedly responsible for the sound of the last quarter of the 20th century and well into the 21st cannot even publish the MUSIC HE HELPED WRITE on KZbin without it being edited out. That should tell you most of what you need to know about the way business is run in most of the world. I find all too often that people who are used to taking credit for their hard work begin to delude themselves into thinking they deserve credit for the hard work of others as well because the other person has the “privilege” of working for them. This behavior tends to motivate a certain level of machiavellianism in the world and I detest that deeply. The story at the end is touching but how many Fender Rhodes electric pianos could have Greg bought for himself with the royalties from “Don’t Stop ‘TIL You Get Enough?”

[@josephedric4081]

Despite the fact that it's edited out, you can tell Greg's talking about coming up with the horn break in Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough.

[@oholm09]

Jerry hey and the seawind horn section play a horn track of don't stop till.you get enough

[@ChromaticHarp]

Actually it’s a guitar si Solo.

[@errolfrancis4708]

The contrast on that couch couldn't be bigger! Mr Phillinganes is full of positive energy and life - the host shows little if any emotion! Such a dull interviewer for such an awesome guest.

[@PaulRiceJr]

KZbin will not pull the video down if you show somebody playing the piano... they would only pull if you post the actual song.... not demonstration. The edit is stupid. Post the full thing!

[@BenjaminDeCruz]

I sure wish I could have seen what he was playing on "I Can't Help It" soon as his fingers hit the keys it cuts to the next thing, dayuuuum! lol but I love the interview anyways!!

[@raineyj560]

Everyone has MJ'S voice down pat!!! 😊😊😊

[@ReyHugoTelevision614]

Rod Temperton is forever the G.O.A.T.

[@kingsports1113]

reyrza80 heatwave should kept all those songs

[@larac8224]

Honestly, the interviewer needs to lighten up a bit too. Greg is so funny and warm and this guy is like stone face all the time!

[@podlou9939]

I know right. No warmth.

[@danthomas623]

What a dude, great stories!

[@leelasaraswat4662]

The unedited version can to found in redbull tv aap.

[@mahooyahoo1]

We here for the music and and keyboard and they cut that out, well done!

[@palova3202]

This was a wonderful and interesting interview.Thank you.Greg is a good story teller & a humble man.Loved him speaking about Michael.💕Was wondering though why was the music pieces cut out??? Something to do with copyright law??

[@AndweleHarris]

His voice (Greg) ...is pleasant to listen to

[@KeithCopeland778]

Greg is one of the most gifted, skilled, and accomplished session and live musicians on the planet!!! This is a great interview but it's annoying that Greg's playing was edited out!!! It really bothers me when famous artists don't give songwriting credit to amazing contributors like Greg!!!

[@bluelines1]

They always edit out a lot of music played at these events, I guess to save time? Stupid really, doesn't matter how long it is as the music is the subject of the discussion...

[@KeithCopeland778]

@@bluelines1 I totally agree!!!

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude

[@1Live2Love3Thrive]

POST FULL VERSION PLEASE !!!! POST FULL VERSION!!!

[@cosmicbaggy]

A music lecture where you can't hear the music being referenced. Love these lectures but this sucks a big one... 😩

[@dwaynewilson5953]

You have editing on this lecture , but youtube is based on streaming performances.

[@subramaniantr2091]

When you mute Greg, when you know exactly everyone is here to hear him play, it's like bringing in a group of people inviting them to hate you. Great going guys.

[@Sumbibebe]

The only thing I wanted to hear was what was edited!! I love ya Phil and the story is great but where can I hear the stuff?

[@ratnadeepkamble619]

legend

[@christianluff]

Man talks on sofa. Man talks in front of a piano. Man walks back to sofa to talk Repeat to fade Luckily Greg is a really interesting speaker with some superb anecdotes.

[@AndweleHarris]

Yes he is

[@podlou9939]

Shame the audience and interviewer don't seem to get his sense of humour

[@MartinSalemi]

guys the video is unedited on the red bull site :) I found it on google

[@myklmusic]

Just wow. Great interview, but editing out the actual music is painful. But thank you. I do appreciate the links. Thank you very much.

[@ArtbyAtlas]

Another Legend

[@iiretepii]

There’s really no reason to watch this without the playing

[@williams3942]

Where can I find the unedited interview!?

[@redstrat1234]

Stopped watching when he couldn't demonstrate. No context/examples. Poor show

[@joe.dot.]

For the love of god watch this on the red bull tv app. You have to hear Greg’s playing, especially the super magical segment about an hour and a half in (that’s red bull tv app time)

[@AndweleHarris]

42:16 Ricky Lawson did a lecture and explained the drum line for Shake your Body Down To The Ground

[@matthewwilkinson2059]

please post this unedited or a link to an unedited version!

[@marieblav]

Why did you cut the music?

[@sirdym.o.m.5768]

We knew Greg at the earl clue

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

I dare to say that Greg was pivotal in their careers

[@MattySagz]

This video would not be flagged for copyright for him playing the piano for educational purpose. Just saying.

[@gsprings43]

that was special

[@kevingimmemusic]

This was the wrong interviewer and the crowd obviously didn't know they were in the presence of a giant. They learned that day!

[@CharlyCassMusic]

Where can we find the non edited version of this? We need to listen the to his performance

[@walkerl7485]

please. give us a some link or something

[@quintonjones6963]

3 years later but if you download the Redbull TV app (free) you can watch this in its entirety! Best of luck!

[@AndweleHarris]

@@quintonjones6963 for real?

[@quintonjones6963]

Andwele Harris YES!!!! Hope you enjoy!

[@leelasaraswat4662]

@@quintonjones6963 thanks buddy!

[@rexeffect7122]

I loved the interview, with the exception of the copyrights BS! it would have been great if we could have heard his piano skills.

[@spurts]

A wonderful man

[@nhlanganosk]

The Hell I was here for the playing

[@junkang7872]

This is video is nothing without music.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Is it uncut on your website??

[@lesking9972]

Great

[@percyvolnar8010]

Cutting out the actual performances of the music just ruins the video. I get copyright concerns and all that jazz, but man, the internet is becoming less of a good place to share videos like this.

[@notsogood9449]

Damn... how much money do you guys think Grey Phillinganes missed out on by "NOT" getting co-writers credit and "Royalties" on the song "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"? We're talking about from the time the song was released... "1979" up to now... "2016"? He(Grey Phillinganes) talks about not getting his credit for helping writing the song at 51:40 of the video.

[@jackedwards6408]

notsogood He says he helped but they edit out the bit he says he contributed, so we don't even know what it is! You can look at it two ways: 1. Greg contributed and Michael got greedy, wanted the song for himself and Greg didn't stand up for himself. 2. Greg didn't really contribute but was pushing for a "piece", as he described, and Michael being passive agreed but later stood up for himself. Each could be true to each person due to different perspectives. The one bit that is off about his story is that he said first he wanted 50%, despite saying that what he contributed took an instant to write. That is not 50% of a song lol.

[@barbee0715]

What exact part did he write?? I couldn't figure it out, since they edited it.

[@oholm09]

Mj don't even pay Greg royalties if an artist paying a arranged a track just like studio musicians each every percentage in their performance

[@kevan1700]

barbee0715 the musical bridge after the 2nd hook. It had the guitar solo. Mike, Janet and randy were working on the song before Greg got involved

[@barbee0715]

Thanks-I've got the demo on the SE CD. (Love that, by the way). I found out before I came back here-it's my opinion that part is great, but I consider it jamming/arranging-not writing the song. If anything, it would be considered production-so he could have had some producing royalties-not songwriting royalties.

[@aaronmarshall]

This is about his lecture, not his playing. It's not a show. Why all of the downvotes? I love this video.

[@podlou9939]

Exactly. Mine for your music. If you grew up reading sleeve liners you already know.

[@j1udu522]

What a guy.

[@amgemin]

The fact that you had to edit out the best portions of this video represents all that is wrong with the traditional music industry. Can't wait to see the back of it.

[@Blazenetwork1990]

But he didnt co write the song

[@myklmusic]

Just wow. Great interview, but writing out the actual music is painful. But thank you.

[@jgk381]

Thousands of random people are allowed to upload piano tutorials, but the guy who actually wrote/recorded these songs isn't allowed to? Makes no sense. You should appeal.

[@SPAZZOID100]

jgk381 he did not write them.

[@jgk381]

James Reeno co-wrote

[@ianhendrytube]

jgk381 i know! Wtf!

[@alexkx8599]

I'm guessing editing out of the playing parts will allow for this to be sold in some manner in the future, eh?

[@NotesForSpaceCadets]

Also please edit out the audio pops when he drops the mic all those times.

[@djiedmewar4046]

why did they upload this :S

[@SteveBurksMusic]

Who is the guy conducting the interview?

[@angelainyt]

Greg had contributed to the song "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and it would have been very delightful to find out that he had been fully compensated for his art.

[@darrellmfume4020]

Angela, Greg should have taken Michael to court to get ALL the royalties he was entitled too. Greg not taking Michael to court over the past 40 years. cost him Millions in royalties. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough/is classic you can still HEAR on the radio today/2023. Greg composed the music break on that record. and was just asking Michael for 10% of the song. and 10% of all future Royalities.

[@seuqram0145]

No playing? There is no reason to watch this any further!

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Death Red Bull, did not see the video of Greg playing the hits due starting Spectrasonics Keyscape?

[@jivemiguel5173]

What? We're supposed to IMAGINE what he actually played?? Sheeesshh......

[@SMC247]

Oh no, why are their bit cut out, like the most important bits :(

[@TheTunneys]

Ruined Ruined Ruined, This is educational. I understand their fear of copyright strikes but this should not exist any more. The idiiots setting the rules need to go.

[@glaglaglagla1926]

hello can u use a other player for your website, and the advantage its we visit your site for see the full video uncut. #best idea of day #morevisit

[@leetate977]

lol.....After an hour, I'm finally reading the comments and everyone is saying what I thought 5 minutes in

[@sdenniscrosby]

Dear RBMA, fire your video editor lol. I'm kidding.......kinda

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

WHY are you editing Greg;s playing?

[@Marcel1979K]

The edit is hilarious.

[@kingsports1113]

Sheila e work on micheal jackson demo

[@hermankappenspain]

They forgot to edit out the parts where he plays Händel's Hallelujah

[@narimkim2568]

it's from the Baroque era, so it is "public domain". But yea, good catch!

[@seuqram0145]

Oh my god! I can't do that it!

[@jameslong9931]

When will we celebrate the playing of a song?

[@misterchippie]

An interview with one of the greatest musicians of our time, and ALL the playing is edited out? What an absolute mockery.

[@NODBEATSTVAndVIDEO]

when i saw Greg i thought i was bout to be Blessed with his playing but Wow why do you all cut out his Playing!1

[@Tnwwnt]

What a shame ! You just can"t edit Greg Phillinganes when he explain you something with his instrument, You CAN"T ! Put the entire video on your website at least

[@samk1429]

Soutire en francais indispensable ! Quel DOMMAGE !!!!😨

[@sanmarinojr]

12:33 "because (farts) you know".. :D ajhaahahah

[@RJNumber45]

lmao...wtf?

[@jayblummer146]

Guter Mann

[@alcindo7323]

Yo what is with the editing?! Most of us here aren't even half as good as Greg to steal any of these keyboard playing riffs, so don't worry about copyright! I don't even know how to play the keyboard -_- I mean seriously dudes, first 5 minutes and I quit.

[@kaafaa5944]

i stop to drink REDBULL cause of ur edit. #Monster

[@LavaLake7079]

Really disappointing. Greg's a legend - you can't have an interview without hearing him play a little. Sort it out with you tube and upload the complete version.

[@ChromaticHarp]

This would have been great, but it’s just frustrating because you cut out all the playing!!! :(