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Let's Make HIStory: An insight into the HIStory album
On June, 16th 1995, Michael Jackson’s HIStory double album was released. This major work contained HIStory Begins, a compilation of his greatest hits, and HIStory Continues that was composed of his new songs of the time. Nearly two decades later, Brice Najar, a writer and fan of the King of Pop, decided to look into the behind the scenes of both records. That’s how he contacted some musicians and technicians who took part in that great adventure so that they would share their memories. The result is that book gathering together many accounts from the artist’s collaborators that contributed to making the (HI)Story. So let’s go back to 1995 for an immersion into the studio with Michael Jackson in order to evoke the past, the present and the future.
242 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2016
24 people want to read
About the author
Brice Najar
9 books7 followersBrice Najar was born in Annecy, France, in 1979. He is the author of four books about Michael Jackson’s musical world.
Itinéraire d’un passionné and The Jacksons : Musicographie 1976-1989 were published in 2013 and 2014. Both books can be read independently but also complement one another. In his next book, Brice holds to those musical thematic axes but through a different concept. Published in 2016, Let’s Make HIStory is a collection of interviews with some of the protagonists of the double HIStory album released in 1995. In 2020, the author expanded on his subject with a new book entitled Book On The Dance Floor as a way to understand the King of Pop’s working process in the studio.
In addition to his writings, Brice Najar cofounded and is the president of On The Line Association whose goal is to organize events like the MJ MusicDay.
Itinéraire d’un passionné and The Jacksons : Musicographie 1976-1989 were published in 2013 and 2014. Both books can be read independently but also complement one another. In his next book, Brice holds to those musical thematic axes but through a different concept. Published in 2016, Let’s Make HIStory is a collection of interviews with some of the protagonists of the double HIStory album released in 1995. In 2020, the author expanded on his subject with a new book entitled Book On The Dance Floor as a way to understand the King of Pop’s working process in the studio.
In addition to his writings, Brice Najar cofounded and is the president of On The Line Association whose goal is to organize events like the MJ MusicDay.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 17, 2021
With Michael Jackson, medias neglect his work as they prefer to focus on Tabloid topics, nasty attacks upon his name, and gossips about those around him. Attacks that traumatized him and displayed to many the superficiality and cruelty of UK and USA mainstream medias. But the work many fans and music experts have done with their podcasts or book publications have upturned the tables many times. Indeed, thanks to their work, millions of people have obtained accurate facts on the singer, his life and his musical career. All of them obtained thanks to exclusive interviews with those who interacted with the singer. Either his family, his friends, his fans, or his colleagues. People who are better placed to speak about him than those who judge him, but never met him, are fueled by personal jealousy/grudges and just want to attack him out of spitefulness/prejudices.
And regarding his music, this is where Brice Najar's book is a crucial tool helpful in the education about the King of Pop, his life, and his work.
For although Let's Make History concerns about the work Michael did in his 1995-1996 record HIStory, it is however a wonderful document to explore the work he did for Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Invincible. Through amazing interviews with 25 people; with figures like Rob Hoffman, Colin Wolfe, John Bahler, and many others; all of them revealing details about Michael's work that Mainstream medias never present. For instance, how Michael worked with Brad Buxer on the soundtrack for the video game "Sonic the Hedgehog 3"; where one of the main tunes used turned into the magnificent "Stranger in Moscow", and how airs of other tunes like Jam, Black and White, Ghosts, Is It Scary, and Blood on the Dance Floor are present in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPHg9...
So from these readings, one develops bigger knowledge as to how rich Michael Jackson's work is and how many helped him produce his masterpieces. Technicians, sound engineers, guitarists, singers, synthesizer programmers, choir conductors, songwriters, composers; artists who all have the same facts about Michael Jackson. How he is a gentleman with others, a man who cares for everyone around him, and who respects and thanks others for their contributions. Which is always important to share as some medias still continue to attack MJ from time to time. Especially as some people refuse to recognize him as a composer and musician and still think that the only thing he can do is dance and moonwalk; which some judgemental persons whom I used to follow online have written. So if you ever see someone spread remarks that demean MJ's prolific musical creativity, take time to share to others the facts mentioned in this book. That will help shut down those who know nothing about him, yet act like they are "experts" enough to judge and insult him.
And regarding visual proofs detailing Michael Jackson's creativity, the book offers stunning photos of unseen pieces; such as handwritten notes from MJ, photos of him and his colleagues as they work, and also Phonograph Recording Contract Blanks from the "American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada" which present infos about the recording of Thriller. So what you find in this book are jewels of information that dive deep into the music production of Michael's work.
As for the book itself, it is printed according to purchasers demands on Amazon. In its page display, two columns cover each page and follow questions from Brice Najar and answers from those he interviews. And with the quantity of people who testify, that book can take several days to read as the dialogues are extensive. However, if you are searching for one specific person to read, you can consult the table of contents at the end of the book; it identifies clearly the proper pages for all these testimonials.
In sum, whether or not you are a fan of Michael Jackson or a musicologist in search of facts about the King of Pop and his life, Brice Najar's volume is a must to consult and to purchase. The facts it presents about Michael Jackson and his work are fascinating and deserve to be known throughout the world.
Thank you Brice for doing this amazing book. Thank you.
And regarding his music, this is where Brice Najar's book is a crucial tool helpful in the education about the King of Pop, his life, and his work.
For although Let's Make History concerns about the work Michael did in his 1995-1996 record HIStory, it is however a wonderful document to explore the work he did for Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Invincible. Through amazing interviews with 25 people; with figures like Rob Hoffman, Colin Wolfe, John Bahler, and many others; all of them revealing details about Michael's work that Mainstream medias never present. For instance, how Michael worked with Brad Buxer on the soundtrack for the video game "Sonic the Hedgehog 3"; where one of the main tunes used turned into the magnificent "Stranger in Moscow", and how airs of other tunes like Jam, Black and White, Ghosts, Is It Scary, and Blood on the Dance Floor are present in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPHg9...
So from these readings, one develops bigger knowledge as to how rich Michael Jackson's work is and how many helped him produce his masterpieces. Technicians, sound engineers, guitarists, singers, synthesizer programmers, choir conductors, songwriters, composers; artists who all have the same facts about Michael Jackson. How he is a gentleman with others, a man who cares for everyone around him, and who respects and thanks others for their contributions. Which is always important to share as some medias still continue to attack MJ from time to time. Especially as some people refuse to recognize him as a composer and musician and still think that the only thing he can do is dance and moonwalk; which some judgemental persons whom I used to follow online have written. So if you ever see someone spread remarks that demean MJ's prolific musical creativity, take time to share to others the facts mentioned in this book. That will help shut down those who know nothing about him, yet act like they are "experts" enough to judge and insult him.
And regarding visual proofs detailing Michael Jackson's creativity, the book offers stunning photos of unseen pieces; such as handwritten notes from MJ, photos of him and his colleagues as they work, and also Phonograph Recording Contract Blanks from the "American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada" which present infos about the recording of Thriller. So what you find in this book are jewels of information that dive deep into the music production of Michael's work.
As for the book itself, it is printed according to purchasers demands on Amazon. In its page display, two columns cover each page and follow questions from Brice Najar and answers from those he interviews. And with the quantity of people who testify, that book can take several days to read as the dialogues are extensive. However, if you are searching for one specific person to read, you can consult the table of contents at the end of the book; it identifies clearly the proper pages for all these testimonials.
In sum, whether or not you are a fan of Michael Jackson or a musicologist in search of facts about the King of Pop and his life, Brice Najar's volume is a must to consult and to purchase. The facts it presents about Michael Jackson and his work are fascinating and deserve to be known throughout the world.
Thank you Brice for doing this amazing book. Thank you.
April 6, 2019
10/10
February 6, 2017
The scope of Brice Najar’s book “Let’s Make HIStory” encompasses both parts of Michael Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present & Future Book 1 double album, quite rightly referred to as “an opus”.
This was considerably more than I expected when purchasing the book - it being the new material on HIStory - the “HIStory continues” portion - that I was most interested in reading about.
The book is composed of interviews, some of them quite in-depth, with people who worked on the different recordings with Michael Jackson. This means we have people who worked on material from the early 80s as well as the 90s, a rare few having involvement all the way through.
I have to admit to not being one of the fans who worships at the shrine of Quincy Jones, but given that tracks from “Off the Wall”, “Thriller” and “Bad” are included on the “HIStory begins” portion of the album, the references to Mr Jones are unavoidable. That’s not to mean that I begrudge Quincy his due for the truly memorable work he did with Michael, merely some of the things he has said publically about Michael in recent years.
Once we get to the 90s tracks - three from the “Dangerous” album under “HIStory begins” and then the “HIStory continues" portion - I became truly engrossed in the recollections of the talented musicians and others who contributed their skills and experience to the creative process.
Included are some photographs of the individuals interviewed along with some autographed items from the author's collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia. They are not a major component of the book, but they do nicely augment the text and, in some cases provide evidence of the author's interaction with some of the interviewees.
One thing this book lacks which would make it so much more valuable as a reference work is an Index. Add a Bibliography, and it would be even better. But, while there are numerous MJ books that have those things, few of them can claim to have acquired their information through first-hand interviews as has Najar.
Furthermore, Najar's interviews are composed of intelligent questions, respectful of the creative process and the interviewee's part in it, and respectful of the primary artist, Michael Jackson. There is no tabloid fodder here. It was Najar's intention to give a voice to those working in the studio "and this way not making anything up!"*
The text contains some typing idiosyncrasies which, though minor and at least used consistently, I nevertheless found to be irritating. If I had been editing the book I would have insisted they be changed.
I would also have moved the Table of Contents from the back of the book to the front, where we're used to seeing it in most publications.
By far the most interesting part of the book for me was the interview with Brad Buxer. Even though I have heard Brad talk about his work with Michael in person at one of Brad Sundberg’s famous In the Studio with Michael Jackson seminars, at which I took copious notes in longhand, it was wonderful to have his stories “on record” by virtue of this book.
For those who don't know, Buxer worked with Michael from 1989 onwards, both in the studio and on tour and eventually became his musical director following the Super Bowl half time show in 1993. He continued to work on songs with Michael up to and including 2008.
Other favourites are Steve Porcaro and Rob Hoffman. The latter's recollections of the night in the studio when Michael recorded the final vocals for Earth Song are truly memorable, as are his many other insights from the HIStory album sessions he was involved in.
There are so many quotable quotes in this book from many of the interviewees. But what comes through in every case is their absolute appreciation for having worked with Michael Jackson and for being a part of his, and popular music, HIStory.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
February 2017
*Najar, Brice in his Preface to "Let's Make HIStory" p 8.
This was considerably more than I expected when purchasing the book - it being the new material on HIStory - the “HIStory continues” portion - that I was most interested in reading about.
The book is composed of interviews, some of them quite in-depth, with people who worked on the different recordings with Michael Jackson. This means we have people who worked on material from the early 80s as well as the 90s, a rare few having involvement all the way through.
I have to admit to not being one of the fans who worships at the shrine of Quincy Jones, but given that tracks from “Off the Wall”, “Thriller” and “Bad” are included on the “HIStory begins” portion of the album, the references to Mr Jones are unavoidable. That’s not to mean that I begrudge Quincy his due for the truly memorable work he did with Michael, merely some of the things he has said publically about Michael in recent years.
Once we get to the 90s tracks - three from the “Dangerous” album under “HIStory begins” and then the “HIStory continues" portion - I became truly engrossed in the recollections of the talented musicians and others who contributed their skills and experience to the creative process.
Included are some photographs of the individuals interviewed along with some autographed items from the author's collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia. They are not a major component of the book, but they do nicely augment the text and, in some cases provide evidence of the author's interaction with some of the interviewees.
One thing this book lacks which would make it so much more valuable as a reference work is an Index. Add a Bibliography, and it would be even better. But, while there are numerous MJ books that have those things, few of them can claim to have acquired their information through first-hand interviews as has Najar.
Furthermore, Najar's interviews are composed of intelligent questions, respectful of the creative process and the interviewee's part in it, and respectful of the primary artist, Michael Jackson. There is no tabloid fodder here. It was Najar's intention to give a voice to those working in the studio "and this way not making anything up!"*
The text contains some typing idiosyncrasies which, though minor and at least used consistently, I nevertheless found to be irritating. If I had been editing the book I would have insisted they be changed.
I would also have moved the Table of Contents from the back of the book to the front, where we're used to seeing it in most publications.
By far the most interesting part of the book for me was the interview with Brad Buxer. Even though I have heard Brad talk about his work with Michael in person at one of Brad Sundberg’s famous In the Studio with Michael Jackson seminars, at which I took copious notes in longhand, it was wonderful to have his stories “on record” by virtue of this book.
For those who don't know, Buxer worked with Michael from 1989 onwards, both in the studio and on tour and eventually became his musical director following the Super Bowl half time show in 1993. He continued to work on songs with Michael up to and including 2008.
Other favourites are Steve Porcaro and Rob Hoffman. The latter's recollections of the night in the studio when Michael recorded the final vocals for Earth Song are truly memorable, as are his many other insights from the HIStory album sessions he was involved in.
There are so many quotable quotes in this book from many of the interviewees. But what comes through in every case is their absolute appreciation for having worked with Michael Jackson and for being a part of his, and popular music, HIStory.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
February 2017
*Najar, Brice in his Preface to "Let's Make HIStory" p 8.
January 27, 2019
Only one in four respondents provide important information and interesting anecdotes about the creation of the music and about Michael Jackson as a person. Brothers Bähler, Brad Buxer, Steve Porcaro and Rob Hoffman are essential. The rest have a secondary role or do not remember almost anything.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews