During the 1990s, Michael Jackson and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash formed one of the most iconic pop-rock partnerships in music history. Driven by Jackson’s desire for a more aggressive, hard-rock edge, their work seamlessly blended high-energy pop with blistering guitar solos.
Their connection originated in 1990 when Jackson reached out through his manager to see if Slash would play on his upcoming album, Dangerous. At the time, Guns N’ Roses was the biggest hard rock band in the world, while Jackson was the indisputable King of Pop. Despite their radically different public images, Slash accepted out of sheer curiosity and admiration for Jackson’s artistry.
What struck Slash most about Jackson was his approach in the studio. Rather than micromanaging or dictating exact notes, Jackson gave Slash total creative autonomy. “He just said, ’Play whatever you feel like playing,’” Slash recalled. “He didn’t try to direct me. He just let me do my thing… which was amazing because most pop artists of that caliber want to control every single note.”
During sessions for “Give In to Me,” Jackson simply cheered him on, encouraging his raw, heavy tone. This deep trust created an instant bond, making Slash one of Jackson’s go-to guest performers for over a decade. While often mistakenly credited for the main riff in “Black or White” (which was played by Tim Pierce), Slash officially performed the intro guitar tracking, specifically the skit where a kid blasts rock music to annoy his father.
Slash returned to provide heavy, driving rock riffs for the aggressive protest track “D.S.” found on Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album. He contributed his signature, biting guitar work to the dark, industrial-rock track “Morphine” from the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix.
On stage, the contrast was electric, Jackson’s sharp, synchronized choreography paired with Slash’s loose, improvisational shredding. One of their most iconic running gags occurred live at the 1995 MTV VMAs. During a fiery guitar solo, Jackson would act frustrated that Slash was “stealing the spotlight” and refusing to stop playing, sending security guards to mock-restrain him before transitioning smoothly into the next beat. Slash periodically flew out to make guest appearances during Jackson’s HIStory World Tour , elevating tracks like “Black or White” and “Beat It” with live solos.
Away from the cameras, Slash often spoke about Jackson’s surprisingly quiet, polite demeanor offstage. Behind the massive celebrity persona, Slash saw a remarkably dedicated musician who treated everyone around him with kindness and respect. Jackson appreciated having someone around who interacted with him like a normal peer rather than an unreachable icon.
Their working relationship occasionally caused tension within Guns N’ Roses, most notably between Slash and frontman Axl Rose, but Slash remained steadfast in his loyalty to Jackson as a musician and friend.
Following Jackson’s passing in 2009, Slash frequently reflected on his talent and impact, calling him “one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever had the honor to work with.” He highlighted Jackson’s incredible sense of rhythm, noting that even without instruments, Jackson could convey precisely how a guitar line should groove just by beatboxing and moving.
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