Michael Jackson Played in the Styles of 20 Famous Guitarists — Video
What would happen if 20 of the most famous guitar players played a Michael Jackson medley together?
Guitarist Andre Antunes answers that question in this brand-new video, as he mimics the playing styles and riffs of David Gilmour, Brian May, John Petrucci, Carlos Santana, Slash, Jimi Hendrix and 14 others over a bed of Jackson hits that includes “Smooth Criminal,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”
And no, Eddie Van Halen is not represented here, in case you were wondering.
Antunes, who is from Portugal, has been a popular favorite on GuitarPlayer.com, where we’ve previously featured his videos for “Uptown Funk” and “Get Lucky,” each played in the styles of 10 different famous guitarists.
This new video appears to be a response to Antunes’ fans who have requested that he represent their favorite guitarists. Throughout the video, Facebook messages appear with requests and comments for certain players.
“That’s awesome but no slash?” :’( :’( writes one Facebook follower.
“don’t forget Frusciante,” writes another.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
Antunes goes a little further in this video than he did in his earlier videos. After copping Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” intro riff, which he plays atop “Billie Jean,” Antunes takes a brief intermission to set his guitar on fire, à la Hendrix (with gasoline, however, rather than lighter fluid). As you'll see, the guitar in question is his budget Strat-style Rocker. You didn’t expect him to torch a real Strat, did you?
You can keep up to date on Andre and his music on Facebook.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Christopher Scapelliti is editor-in-chief of Guitar Player magazine, the world’s longest-running guitar magazine, founded in 1967. In his extensive career, he has authored in-depth interviews with such guitarists as Pete Townshend, Slash, Billy Corgan, Jack White, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, and audio professionals including Beatles engineers Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott. He is the co-author of Guitar Aficionado: The Collections: The Most Famous, Rare, and Valuable Guitars in the World, a founding editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine, and a former editor with Guitar World, Guitar for the Practicing Musician and Maximum Guitar. Apart from guitars, he maintains a collection of more than 30 vintage analog synthesizers.
“I stopped caring what people thought. I stopped trying to sound like other people and my sound emerged. It was literally timed with my transition”: Ella Feingold gigged with Erykah Badu and jammed with Prince, but her transition made her a player
“A lot of my peers have turned to modelers. I’m not there yet. It still feels like an electronic toy to me”: Jerry Cantrell on his love of guitar duos, vibing off Jeff Beck on his solo album – and why he remains a digital tone skeptic