One on One

I most recently spoke with Bruce Swedien engineer, songwriter, producer and composer for over three decades in the music business and who is one of the most influential people in the industry past and present. Bruce Swedien has been nominated 13 times, and is a five time Grammy Award winner of audio engineer and music producing. He has a long list of number one artist that he worked with ranging from the sounds of George Benson, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez, Paul McCartney, along with a  host of other talented musicians. Bruce is best known for his work on the all time greatest album ever sold,"Thriller" by Michael Jackson. He is credited for composing songs on the album as well as recording, mixing and assisting in production. He has been the primary sound engineer for Michael Jackson's studio recording's from 1978 to 2001. http://www.ocala.com/article/20090626/ARTICLES/906269973

His collaboration with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson may not ever be duplicated again between any other trio in this lifetime or the next.



I had the chance to ask him about his career in the music industry, his working with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson) his marriage to his wife Bea, and the do's and do not's of compromise/negotiating to make such a impact in the music business? Here's what he had to say:





Me- What does it take to last long in the music industry then and now?

Bruce -A career is a combination of events.

Me- So how do you come up with extraordinary engineering and production work?

Bruce-The feeling of what I'm going to do next never ends!

Me- How was it working with the late great Michael Jackson?

Bruce- Michael is the best! He is a perfectionist. There will not ever be another to replace him. He is the best!

Me- I see you brought your beautiful and lovely wife with you? How long have you been married?

Bruce- 58 years.

Me- And how long have you been producing?

Bruce- Correction? I'm a engineer, music producer, songwriter and composer.

Me- My bad. I apologize. How long have you been a engineer, music producer, songwriter and composer?

Bruce- Over 30 years. No cutting corner's. The money comes if you work. There's no substitute. If opportunity is available and you're not ready, be truthful to yourself!

Bruce- I see the success in you that is to come. And that's a good thing!

Me- I thanked him and his beautiful wife, Bea.

At that time he stopped me in the midst of our talk and ask me to remove my hat? When I did as he inquired... he stated, "You've been around the block a few times." I could help but say, "your right and around the world too, but the receding hairline runs in the family." We all laughed at that one.

That set me up to tell Mr. Swedien a story in reference about the death of Michael Jackson on June 25th, 2010. I just could not resist!

On the day of my birthday June 23rd of 2010, I boarded South Africa Airlines to head back to the states which could take a full day to return with an over night landing in Senegal. When I arrived back in the U.S.A, I was sitting in the car dealership and the secretary said, "Michael Jackson has died." I told Bruce that there was no other place I would have rather been then here, back home in America on June 25th 2010, and remorse with the rest of the country who loved and grieved Michael's death. He then looked at me and said, "I can see how you are about to cry." I felt his pain too when I looked at both him and his wife. Then I felt a sigh of relief being able to tell the story to the man who actually worked hand in hand with Michael Jackson. And would you believe Doctor Conrad Murray (accused killer in the Michael Jackson murder case) was convicted the same day I met with Bruce Swedian and his wife. http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Dr.-Conrad-Murray-found-guilty-of-manslaughter/G2939,A10627
Talk about putting "One on One" pieces together in a lifetime, with Bruce Swedien.