Queen and the king of pop

Michael Jackson was a fan of Queen and he visited their concerts in Los Angeles at the L.A. Forum when they performed there during their tours. In July 1980 they toured to promote the album "The Game". Roger Taylor remembered it was Michael who advised them to release "Another One Bites The Dust" also as a single from that album. Roger answered that never will be a hit. But he was wrong. It would be the most successful single from the album. Backstage at a concert by Queen in 1982 also in LA (15th September) they started making plans to record a song together.

Michael backstage with Freddy in 1980

Michael backstage with Brian in 1980

And it happened in 1983 when Michael invited them to visit him at home in Encino, California. They recorded 3 songs that they could later decide which one should be released.

Another picture backstage in 1980 at Queen's concert

Michael and his Llama

The songs they recorded are:

"There Must Be More to Life Than This" - Written by Freddy Mercury
"State Of Shock" - Written by Michael Jackson and Randy Hansen
"Victory" - Written by Queen and Michael Jackson together

The sessions were very improvised and there were no drums in Michael's home studio so they recorded banging on the door sounds to use as a drum sequence for "State Of Shock". Freddy played piano on his song. The sessions took play at one day when Freddy decided it was time to go because Michael brought his Llama into the studio that spit on Freddy. They had to keep on working on the tracks afterwards. But touring schedules of Queen and Michael made it impossible to finish the songs all together and to be at the same place together.

Album cover of "Mr. Bad Guy" by Freddy Mercury

"There Must Be More to Life Than This" finally ended up on Freddy Mercury's solo album from 1985 titled "Mr. Bad Guy" without Michael. Queen recorded it in 1984 intended for "The Works" but they decided not to use it. "State Of Shock" was finally recorded with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons album "Victory" from 1984 and it became another hit for the Jacksons. The song "Victory" was never used and only as the title for the album from 1984 by the Jacksons. The version of "There Must Be More Than Life Than This" with Michael was remixed by Queen and was released on Queen compilations.