Michael Jackson in studio "State Of Independence" (RARO)

Michael Jackson singing background vocals on Donna Summers's "State of Independence" along with Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and others

[@davep8221]

Just a slight correction, the original song is by Jon Anderson of Yes and Vangelis from "The Friends of Mr Cairo." As good as these people are, Jon Anderson, as always, is transcendent.

[@MI-sm5ge]

Well i'm a huge Jon Anderson fan since 1970 but even i have to admit this version by Donna Summer is definitive, in large part thanks to Quincy Jones peerless arrangement. I heard that Jon thinks that too.Interestingly this song is one of Brian Enos favourite songs of all time. Only Jon could've written something as crazy yet as astonishingly beautiful as this. Bless him he is a one off! The ''YES i know why i am alive....'' section always moves me to tears -- its so moving and so poignant, particularly in this version by Donna RIP

[@jackgrant9301]

He does a lovely acoustic cover. I love all three versions of this song.

[@phyphy1174]

3:04 - Michael Jackson practicing dance moves. Haha!

[@becauseisaidso92]

Yesss because his being was all about everything music

[@TryDiy]

came on!

[@ordepm9868]

Wow Donna!! You had "The Cream of the Cream'' supporting you big time!! Hey you deserved it..QUEEN!!

[@masomaf]

I was listening to this song and wondered why the back ground choir sounded so amazing. This is the answer.

[@skatoad]

Never knew all these greats sang on this track as well! Very awesome find. RIP Donna!

[@TracyAdams-ry2fc]

They were also on the We are the world song.

[@Soundboy817]

Damn so many musical legends in one room

[@MrYourekiddingme]

Did you notice he introduced James Ingram and Michael McDonald? Later they went on to record Ya Mo Be There.

[@nellieprestwood8088]

On this casual Friday, I am changing the name to "Feel Good Friday." On that day, the studio's feeling was love, admiration, acknowledgment, and respect for each other gifts and talents. It felt spiritual. The studio day with Quincy Jones or "Q" his preference. With his skills and talents that I could only wish to accomplish such a great height in my career. I do not recall the studio's name, but what I will never forget was the incredible star power in the room on that day. Maybe I used the wrong words; it wasn't power isn't the right word? It's was a calling on the gifted and most prominent artists of my generation. I had the feel of being blessed to be there. Donna didn't have any vocals add recording on this day. They used Donna's tracks to lay down the backup singer's vocals. Greg Phillinganes, a gifted keyboardist, add a little sweetness at the end of the session with a gospel flare.

[@elove2.038]

That's Greg Philligaines hugging Michael Jackson ❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

[@Michelle_Schu-blacka]

I can't imagine having all those legends on my backing track. One day I'm going to write a song and have legends on the backing, regardless of the cost.

[@gregdietz5183]

A great song written by the great Jon Anderson (and Vangelis).

[@mrprogrock1]

they would need more chops in that room to cover close to the edge

[@zanohoriamazo1]

The woman in the control room dancing looked like Nancy Pelosi to me. When I checked the credits, it listed Peggy Lipton, Quincy’s wife who was an actor featured on the late ‘60’s early ‘70’s t.v. series, Mod Squad. She had been blond back then, but curious if that was her. Must be Greg Phillingaines playing piano at the end. He was the one who led Stevie into the room on his arm. Greg became MJ’s musical director on bad tour & played on much of Michael’s recordings like Off the Wall, & Thriller. At the end the blond lady walking through the studio is actress Dylan Cannon. This session was definitely a precursor to the We Are the World project.

[@kidmusic28]

Only Dionne can hold a pen like its a cigarette (2:45). 🤣. That woman is a class act

[@moniquemiller5536]

she was smoking fr lol

[@ericaedwards8386]

Wow and that song with Donna didn't even do all that great did it? Nice that she had all those great musicians doing the background thats dam awesome!!

[@Lemondoor]

Right. It would be 10 years before a cover of the song would become a major hit with the Moodswings and Christie Hynde from The Pretenders on lead vocals. That is the version people tend to know.

[@fodaktifur2086]

Nunca entendi porque a Donna Summer não participou do we are the world

[@Emanuel9991000]

Olha faltou gente: Barry White, Isaac Hayes, The Four Tops, Teddy Pendergrass, Peabo Bryson, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin.....

[@Equality72521sr]

Covering Jon Anderson and Vangelis... RESPECT!

[@BobNew-n5i]

Unbelievable...so many legends in one room

[@halerelic5169]

To bad they didn't invite Jon

[@steviec6295]

Put that damn cigarette out now Dionne! Damn!

[@WooBino.]

Jon Anderson from Yes and Vangelis wrote this.

[@bradnobl]

Honestly never heard this song till a year ago.

[@re.v.e]

Meuuu Deusss que raridades obrigada por compartilhar essa joia rara😭😭😭😭

[@charlesdavis545]

This was the #Wearetheworld precursor; everybody in that room was in that session. #MichaelMcdonald #JamesIngram #Michael #Dionne #KennyLoggins #StevieWonder. Only Michael Mcdonald, Christopher Cross and Brenda Russel weren't in We are the World

[@bb-boy4835]

that's the blooming start of the US richest ERA , black people giving the soul to music , enriching the land and flooding people lives with happyness.THIS ARTISTS DNA VIDEO IS SO PRECIOUS.

[@abefinklestein711]

dizamn! i know donna aint make no money off this song! she had damn near everybody who was anybody in music!

[@euronick61]

Yes, This was recorded in late 81 early 82, Thriller was recorded later in 82.

[@daniellastuart3145]

the original was written & recorded in 1981 by Jon & Vangelis, D Summers version was 1982

[@nathanlopez5667]

Michael was already laying the foundation for Thriller down right after the Jacksons Triumph tour that ended in 1981 and was demoing for the album I believe work began the actual recording for The Girl is Mine sometime in April 1982

[@willymaiz5884]

Siempre pensé que esta es una de las mejores canciones de Donna Summer pero muy poca conocida y ahora veo este vídeo donde el coro de la canción es cantada por estos Fenómenos nunca me equivoque.

[@diegomar1000ify]

es de jon anderson y vangelis ,no es de donna, qeu hace una hermosa version, pero el original es maravilloso y superlativo por los creadores

[@ajs41]

This is around April 1982 I think. Can anyone confirm? Just before MJ started recording the Thriller album.

[@nathanlopez5667]

More like December 1981 January 1982 at latest he actually started demoing songs for Thriller right after The Jacksons Triumph tour but yes first actual recordings for the Thriller album were as early as April 1982 with the song The Girl is Mine

[@ajs41]

@@nathanlopez5667 Thanks.

[@meisterlymanu5214]

this will blow your mind too. Listen to that bass on the record, MJ stole it for Billie Jean, they sound almost identical. Quincy didnt want BJ on Thriller, but relented in the end, he just felt Michael had ripped off this record too much. Michael blended the bass of this, with Hall and Oates "I Cant Go Fot That", to which H and O understandable felt they couldnt hear any similarity to it. I agree.

[@bladebrown4191]

@@meisterlymanu5214 MJ had already recorded the Billie Jean demos in 1981, before working with Quincy again. This song was recorded in 82.

[@meisterlymanu5214]

@@bladebrown4191 wrong. MJ admitted he stole the bass from Independence.

[@jmartradio]

Quincy brought me here.....

[@GregoryGLake]

Jealous Dionne Warwick Envy Glances to Michael Jackson on Her Right.

[@lisasolier504]

If you were signed with Quincey part of your contract is that you had to sing back up on other records if he called you in.

[@fakahi]

Legends!!!

[@TryDiy]

Good grief was there any 80's superstar not there!

[@EnronnSierra]

Michael was like Dionne, do you really have to smoke here and now?

[@thedarkstranger963]

So this is the actual beginnings of USA for AFRICA?

[@TheoriginalMach2000]

@Ford Torino nope - Baidn Aid was 2 years after this

[@Andrewclovis]

Never knew this and it’s one of my all time greatest! Thanks for this

[@traceebclaybrook]

Well, since Quincy ahem "Two Faced Jones" is hell bent on calling MJ a thief, what does that say about him as the producer? I still cannot hear the Bellie Jean connection. This song has more of an Island feel to it, but I guess we all hear differently.

[@malekmo64]

Listen to the title track of The Friends Of Mr Cairo not State Of Independence Michael and Quincy listened to the entire album after being at this recording session.

[@karithema9ician657]

Quincy is a closet homosexual who was bitter He couldn’t do anything spectacular without Michael 🤷🏾‍♂️😂

[@Met_Ethio]

This session was like paying $500 for a 50 cent coffee.

[@kikecastillo2637]

Tremendos cantantes en coros!!!

[@SynClaiRWest]

Anyone here pay attention to Michael Jackson's moves from 2:51-3:00.

[@loubamour]

is that Christopher Cross in the orange shirt ?

[@trekkie23]

Yes

[@georgemarie2049]

Donna was awesome doing that song. Sad loss.

[@kalaika69]

Wow...they did this before we are the world.i had know Idea.

[@mehuejael]

Amazing...so many voices....great song indeed.

[@Fieldsfangirl28]

so awesome James Ingram and Michael McDonald also Christopher Cross all singing too awesome!!

[@Bodyhealthsoul]

The DARK SKINNED, short-haired Michael Jackson [sans the RIDICULOUS/WEIRD make-up] will always have a special place in my heart. Now the one that PURPOSELY changed his normal & good looking appearance to a ghoulish space-alien-drag queen [who was also accused MULTIPLE times of molesting boys]...all I can say is Damn, WTF happened?

O Michael desde o primeiro dia de vida dele até o último dia, sempre estará em meu coração. Descanse em paz Rei do Pop!

[@liveandmore]

Thanks for sharing. Such a great moment in music!! There's a typo, though. It' Donna Summer without the S.

[@NN-fo1xo]

This video is amazing Thanks for posting

[@themotownboy1]

This Donna Summer album should have been her "Thriller" equivalent.

[@rahulmoodgal7664]

Indeed!

[@michaelfan86]

Thriller was a vastly different album and sound than Donna Summers produced albums, not sure how she could pull off a Thriller album for herself.

[@TheoriginalMach2000]

@@michaelfan86 She kinda created the mixing rock with dance, so she could have easily done a Thriller styled album.

[@maatspear]

Her Thriller album was Bad Girls in 1979

[@themotownboy1]

The reason I called this album Donna Summer’s “Thriller” equivalent was that it was also produced by Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller.”

[@feanorian21maglor38]

A great cover of the Jon and Vangelis original... RIP Vangelis

[@ThomasKelly669]

The Album it’s from The Friends of Mr Cairo, is outstanding

[@meisterlymanu5214]

This will blow your mind. Listen to the bass on this record, MJ stole it for Billie Jean, they sound almost identical. Quincy J didnt want BJ on Thriller, but relented in the end, he just felt Michael had ripped off this record too much. Michael blended the bass of this, with Hall and Oates "I Cant Go For That", to which H and O understandable felt they couldnt hear any similarity to it. I agree.

[@carolinagonzalezs.]

Michael Jackson didn't steal any song.

[@meisterlymanu5214]

Q Jones has admitted Michael did. MJ himself admitted he used other songs and blended them. @@carolinagonzalezs.

[@DarrenGlen]

So Michael is taking notes here i guess and saying to himself "im gonna rip off that bassline...slow it down a bit and call it Billie Jean" then...

[@michaelfan86]

Darren Glen he never did that. The song sounds nothing like Billie Jean, not even the baseline is the same. Not sure where you got that. Oh I forgot you people get that crap from the internet bloggers and articles. Let me tell you something, most of those people don’t do any real investigation when writing their articles.

[@muvee69]

Quincy Jones was the producer on both this album and on the Thriller album

[@DarrenGlen]

@Erfan when you know so little and have no clue in your attempt to be smart that you erroneously call Michaels biggest song "Billy Jane"...#fail

[@naskray]

@@michaelfan86 Quincy Jones now talks this crap on every corner. Aging sometimes shows people’s real nature - narcissism and jealosy

[@moisessan1]

I'm in love with this song

[@dongray6834]

Wow .

[@darrylmorrison6127]

Well that's just ridiculous. Dozens of Grammys between them, and they're singing 'Shablamidi, shablamida' as the most over-achieving backup group ever.

[@halerelic5169]

Jon & Vangelis released "State of Independence" as a single in 1981

[@SniffyPoo]

that is quite a lineup of backing singers

[@harmono8766]

Wow. Thanks for posting. Jon and Vangelis must have been so happy.

[@RaulBillieJean]

this is before thriller, right?

[@DetroitLives313]

It was recorded around the same time they were recording Thriller in 1982.

[@issiewizzie]

Musicians without you egos

[@dongray6834]

Only Q could pull that off .

[@002lisamarie]

Love you Michael xx

[@marcellajacksonfan7]

Yes! :)

[@mcmaximon1]

I had no idea! AMAZING x

[@rickyparrilla2426]

Was this the actual recording???

[@kemataholt3204]

It's a dope musical moment...but how much did they spend for this? cause they sound exactly like any other random choir. lol

[@freetheworld2671]

they weren't paaid though!

[@ladyofspa]

I want more😂😢🎉

[@cijicampbell2097]

Quincy Brought me here...

[@sieteocho]

Quincy brought everybody here.... he's the producer.

[@angelsoul1974]

And he's a liar!

[@joshepdanishevsky3045]

Stevie Wonder is G-d further

[@davidevans7643]

I love both of them ❤

[@jman6208]

This is for we are the world not state of independents

[@rasul01]

Ma'am are you joking? You can clearly hear them singing State of Independence

[@MARCIE12ification]

Wow

[@andrewgardner9615]

Was that Dyan Cannon?

[@phoenixforce6595]

Yes

[@fritzeberlin]

wow! and Donna was not there???

[@maatspear]

She likely was on maternity duty

[@migueldelacruz5347]

All That talent

[@HypnoticHollywood]

Why were all these legends there for this song, and what year is this?

[@TheoriginalMach2000]

This was in 1982 a few years before We Are The World. It's the song that gave Quincy and Michael the idea for it.

[@Pausa96]

thanks(;

[@Mauro-fq5xm]

Donna Summer.

[@quazar912]

why is Michael black???

[@charlesdotson4766]

quazar912 Because he was black!!!! The lightening of his skin and pigmentation was due to what he said was caused by vitiligo. Have you not seen his mother and dad, and the rest of the family including Janet??

[@EmmettGlenn]

Michael began developing white spots on his skin all over his body right around this time. He used "black" makeup to cover the depigmented areas on his face and generally wore gloves to cover his hands. But as the disease spread and his skin became more and more covered with "white areas," (vitiligo is a disease in which the skin loses pigment cells, what we call melanin), it became more practical to cover the remaining dark areas with "white" makeup. The change in his outward appearance generated a lot of media buzz, which Michael liked, but pretended he hated.

[@biche447]

i likeeeeeeeeeeee

[@staplehill9489]

Nailed in one take, done! THIS is why the 80's was a better decade for pop music than now. IPerfection

[@lylepetrov6505]

Is that Dyan Cannon strolling at the end of the video? Whom are the other women besides Dionne Warwick and Brenda Russell? What is special about this track aside from the talents involved? Does this track signify something?

[@mundann]

Prequel to We are the world

[@swoodc]

michael stole this song and turned it into Billy JeaN!

[@daniellastuart3145]

ya it it a great song by two prog rockers called Jon (Anderson)and Vanglies for the 1982 album Friend's of Mr Cairo

[@83jdc1]

allegedly

[@jpvbs492]

But Michael made Billie Jean before this.... LOL

[@mrprogrock1]

i robot by alan parsons sounds like b j too