Thriller (Michael Jackson album) people on the cover of magazines doesn't sell copies ... Just wait. Someday those magazines are going to be "begging" me for an interview. Maybe I'll give them one, and maybe I won't." Jackson reunited with "Off the Wall" producer Quincy Jones to record his sixth studio album, his second under the Epic label. The pair worked together on 30 songs, nine of which were included on the album. "Thriller" was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000 (US$1,926,319.15 in 2017 dollars). The recording commenced on April 14, 1982 at noon with
Death of Michael Jackson including Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, Queen guitarist Brian May, members of Black Sabbath, former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche, Eddie Van Halen, who worked with Jackson during the recording of "Thriller," and Slash, who played guitar on Jackson's single "Give In to Me". Alice Cooper stated that "Michael Jackson was easily as influential as James Brown, and that's saying a lot." In October 2013, a tribute album was released featuring current and former members of Iron Maiden, Kiss, Motörhead, Testament, Guns N' Roses, Fozzy, Quiet Riot, Dio, Whitesnake, Mr. Big, among others. Jackson's sister La