First of all, can you tell us about your passion for music? How it started and how you became a professional musician and guitarist? What about your musical influences too, please?
My earliest memory is filled with music. I remember being a baby in church, listening to and watching my mother play the piano. That’s where it all began for me – music has been a part of my life from the very start. When it comes to musical influences, I’ve always been like a sponge, soaking up everything around me. My dad had an incredible collection of Jazz and Blues records, and a fantastic stereo system. Growing up, my brothers and I were constantly surrounded by that music. When I picked up the guitar as a young teenager, Jimi Hendrix became my absolute idol. He was the one who truly sparked my passion for playing.
How did you feel about Michael Jackson and his brothers before working with them?
I was always a huge fan of the Jackson 5, The Jacksons, and Michael throughout all their musical phases, right from “I Want You Back” onwards. The fact that I would eventually get to work with them was honestly mind-blowing! They were musical icons, and their music was a constant soundtrack to my life growing up.
How were you hired as a guitar player on the « Victory Tour »?
I had become friends with Randy Jackson in Los Angeles about a year before the Victory Tour started to take shape. Randy and Marlon actually invited me to play a guitar solo on a track called “Body” from the “Victory” album. Later on, Randy asked if I would be interested in auditioning for the upcoming tour they were planning. The audition process was quite intense. There were three rounds, starting with around 100 guitar players at the first one, narrowing down to 20 for the second, and finally just 3 of us for the last audition. The Jacksons were very enigmatic during the auditions. They didn’t give anything away and never announced who got the job. You only knew you were still in the running if you received a call back for the next stage. After the final audition, I didn’t hear anything for a few days. Then, their management called to give me the rehearsal and pay schedule, informing me that I had won the lead guitar spot. My girlfriend at the time was ecstatic! I was more relieved than anything. So, for me, the Victory Tour began with a personal victory!
What are your memories of the rehearsal sessions and your feelings about the band of musicians, including the Jackson brothers?
In school, I was a three-sport athlete, which instilled a strong sense of discipline in me. This discipline naturally carried over into my approach to music. When I witnessed how meticulously the Jacksons organized their rehearsals, I immediately knew, “This is the right environment for me! I’m fully committed.” Initially, we broke into smaller groups, and for a month, we focused solely on the guitar parts at Tito’s house. Following that, we moved to a rehearsal hall and rehearsed as a full band. I genuinely believed this was the most talented group of musicians I had ever worked with up to that point in my career. For the final month of rehearsals, we relocated to Francis Ford Coppola’s Zeotrope Studios and rehearsed the entire full-production show three times a day.
We had a total of three months of rehearsals, working 15-hour days, seven days a week, and I absolutely loved it! The Jackson brothers set an incredibly high standard. They were striving for absolute perfection, rehearsing just as hard as everyone else! My respect and admiration for their talent, work ethic, and professionalism remain to this day. They pushed everyone around them to be their absolute best.
You joined the band that was going to play songs from the best selling album of all times!
Yes, it’s incredible to think about it now. Every single song in the setlist was a massive hit, from the Jackson 5 classics to tracks from Thriller. The energy of the concerts was unbelievable. The audience never had a chance to sit down. People were literally on their feet, dancing and singing along, throughout the entire concert! It was a non-stop party from start to finish.
Did you instantly realize that this tour was going to make the history of music, or did it take some time before you really appreciated that fact?
From the very beginning, it was clear that the Victory Tour was something extraordinary and unique. It was unlike anything anyone had seen or heard before. There was a palpable sense amongst everyone involved in the tour that we were making history. At the time, it was the largest tour in Rock & Roll history, and it held that record for a very long time afterward. The scale, the production, the sheer excitement surrounding it – it was all on a different level.
I really enjoy your guitar solo on the MJ song « Workin’ Day And Night ». Did Michael himself decide for a rock arrangement of this song, and something different from the studio version and the 1981 live version?
Thank you! I appreciate that. I was actually the first dedicated Rock & Roll guitar player that Michael and his brothers had ever incorporated into their shows, and they were keen to showcase that element. One afternoon, I was called up to their production office. I was a bit surprised and slightly nervous when I walked in and saw all six Jackson brothers sitting there, with their trademark stoic expressions, making it impossible to know what they were thinking. Initially, I thought I might have done something wrong! But then Marlon stepped forward and said, “We’ve never had a Rock guitar player in our band before, and we’ve got a spot in the show where we’d like to feature you.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. They wanted to give me the spotlight in front of stadiums packed with 80,000 enthusiastic music fans and let me loose! The song they chose for this feature was “Working Day and Night,” and we definitely stretched it out and rocked it up. It was an incredible opportunity to bring a different energy to their performance.
Your solos and the presence of two guitar players on the tour from 1984 was a new pattern that Michael Jackson would later use on his 3 solo tours in the 1980s and 90s. Do you feel like you contributed to some major evolution in his stage career?
Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, I was the first out-and-out Rock guitarist to play with them. The late, great David Williams and I developed a really unique guitar dynamic as a team. I learned so much from David; he was truly a rhythm guitar machine. I don’t think anyone had previously paired a Funk guitarist with a Rock guitarist in that kind of setting. Stylistically, we came from very different worlds, but we somehow made it work, creating a powerful and dynamic sound that added a new dimension to their live shows. I believe that guitar-driven sound became a signature element in Michael’s subsequent tours.
Another highlight of the show was performing the song « Beat It ». Could you feel some pressure, being the first guitar player in history to play Van Halen’s solo live on stage with Michael Jackson at your side?
I honestly never felt any pressure at all. I had put in my time honing my skills, fronting my own bands in bars and clubs for years before joining the Victory Tour. I was accustomed to playing loud, heavy, and high-energy guitar. It was my comfort zone, so I felt completely at ease playing that solo. It was just another opportunity to do what I loved and what I was prepared to do.
You actually played the solo twice, and it’s something that would never occur again after. Do you think artists and musicians could perform more freely and drift away from the studio versions at that time? Of course, the show was very precise and tight but not as much as the following tours.
I remember Randy Jackson mentioning in an interview before assembling the band that they were specifically looking for musicians who were also performers, individuals who could bring something extra and spontaneous to the stage. We were all capable of playing the meticulously planned setlist with precision, but also had the ability to improvise and adapt in the moment, which made the Victory band truly special. Many large-scale shows today are so heavily choreographed and rigidly structured that there’s little to no room for improvisation. However, I am optimistic that things are shifting. I’m seeing a strong resurgence of interest in live music where bands and artists can improvise, take risks, and ultimately make the music more engaging and dynamic. Audiences are responding positively to that authentic, in-the-moment musical experience.
Any particular memories and impressions regarding Eddie Van Halen’s performance at the show in Dallas, whether on stage and / or behind-the-scene? How did you share the stage on this occasion?
Meeting Edward and his wife at the time, Valerie Bertinelli, was a real pleasure. Jamming with him on stage was an absolute thrill. We really gave the audience a display of guitar fireworks that night! I think even the Jackson brothers themselves became spectators for that performance! It was a truly unique and unforgettable moment to share the stage with such a legendary guitarist.
Any favorite song or special moment of the show and tour that you still remember?
Without a doubt, performing “Human Nature” was my absolute favorite moment and memory from the entire Victory Tour. It might seem surprising, considering I’m known as more of a Rock player, but that song possessed a pure magic. Playing it each night felt like stepping into the eye of a hurricane – a place of calm and peace amidst all the surrounding energy. After Michael’s passing, it became very difficult for me to hear that song whenever it played on the radio. I could literally picture him standing right in front of me, singing it with such sincerity and emotion. It’s a very powerful and poignant memory.
Where does the « Victory Tour » stand in your whole career? Did you keep up with The Jacksons’ and Michael’s career and music after that?
The Victory Tour holds a very high position on my list of career highlights. It occupies a truly special place in my heart. Over the years, I’ve occasionally run into the brothers, and it’s always a warm and joyful reunion. I’ve even had the opportunity to work with them on various projects since the tour. They told me way back then, “You’re one of us now!” and that feeling of camaraderie has remained. Whenever I encounter anyone from the Victory Tour, it’s like meeting up with old army buddies. We share a unique bond and a shared history.
Any other (musical) projects you would like to share with our readers?
Yes, I had a fantastic time touring and recording an album with Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo. In 2009, I was honored to be a featured artist on a 6-week tour called “Chicago Blues, Europe,” where we performed in 36 cities across Europe, many of them in France. I also had the opportunity to play on the soundtrack for an IMAX film called “Ocean, Oasis,” which was recorded with the Prague Philharmonic in Grasse, near Cannes. In 2013, I was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, which was a real honor, placing me alongside some of the true legends of American music, like Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Dr. John, Buddy Guy, and many more.
What is your musical actuality nowadays?
Currently, I’m working on a new solo Blues CD that I’m very excited about. I’m hoping it will bring me back to Europe, particularly France, in 2019. I absolutely love playing there! I have a world-class Blues/Rock band, and I’m eager for the world to experience our music. I genuinely believe this new project is the best work I’ve ever done. I’m incredibly passionate about it and can’t wait to share it.
