When I first met Michael he was working on Captain EO and I was just a studio runner (the guy who goes to get the burgers). But I got a chance to sit in on his sessions after my regular shift was done.

Michael was a consummate professional.  If his vocals were scheduled for noon, he was there at 10 am with his vocal coach Seth, singing scales. Yes, scales!  I would set up the microphone, check the equipment, make coffee, and all the while he would sing scales for two hours.

Each of his projects was different, but usually there were eight or fewer of us working day to day.  No entourage. No Elephant Man bones. No groupies. No drugs. Just music. And food.

When a small group of people are dedicated to creating great music, it is a great place to be… and it was.