Producer John Barnes Passes Away

John Barnes, who worked on many of Michael’s albums during the 1980s and 1990s, has passed away.

Michael met Barnes in the early 1980s. In an interview with The MJCast podcast, Barnes recalls his first meeting with Michael:

“Michael said I heard you can make your own sounds and play them. How many sounds can you make? And, I responded, ‘How much time do you have?’”

Barnes became part of Michael’s team after working as a synthesizer and arranger on the 1984 Jacksons album ‘Victory.’ He went on to collaborate with Michael on the 1985 charity single ‘We Are The World,’ the 1986 3D Disney short film ‘Captain EO,’ and then every subsequent major album from Michael into the late 1990s. He was also the musical director for the Bad World Tour. Credits with Michael included:

• Bad (1987) – Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Programming, Vocal Arrangement, String Arrangements, Rhythm Arrangements
• Dangerous (1992) – Bass, Keyboards
• HIStory (1995) – Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
• Blood on the Dance Floor (1997) – Synthesizer, Keyboards

Source: John Barnes Music & MJWN