Tuesday, March 21. 2006

Did Michael Jackson Steal Thriller?

I recently learned of the plagiarism allegations Luixy Toledo has brought against Michael Jackson, and found them somewhat intriguing. Long story short, Luixy alleges that he sent Michael Jackson a copy of his CD in 1974 as a birthday present (because they share the same birthday, August 25th). This CD contained his song Exorcismo. A few years later, Michael released a song called Thriller which Luixy alleges is a copy of Exorcismo. His case was eventually thrown out, the court finding that any similarities are merely coincidental.

A couple days ago I got ahold of a copy of Luixy's song and am finally able to see for myself what the truth is. Rather than tell you what I think, I've prepared an mp3 for your listening pleasure -- Michael in one channel, Luixy in the other. Keep in mind that I did do a little bit of editing on Luixy's track to account for slight tempo variations, but I've included Luixy's original unedited mp3 so you can listen to it for yourself.

Here's the goods:

nyquil.org bootleg Thriller/Exorcismo megamix 69" vinyl maxi single

Luixy Toledo - Exorcismo.mp3

What do you think?

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Posted by jer@nyquil.org at 19:18





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2006-03-22 19:31
jer said:

Whoops.

I lost all the comments on this post. Sorry about that.

#1
2006-03-24 02:46
Constellation said:

Michael never claimed to have written the song Thriller. It was written by Rod Temperton, who also wrote Rock With You and other songs from the Off The Wall/Thriller era.

  • Michael's birthday is August 29.

;)

#2
2006-03-24 09:14
jer said:

I'm really glad you reposted this, I was most bummed about my accidental comment deletion because I lost your insightful input.

So Rod Templeton stole it then? ;)

#2.1
2006-05-27 02:24
Autodefensa said:

Luixy wrote that song, for heaven's sake! Luixy has confessed several times that he sent the score by post with a letter telling that he was also musician and was very interested in his career due to Luixy was a huge fan of "the Jackson Five", and additionally the score was to be sung by Michael Jackson.

Perhaps, on one hand, Jackson received that score and gave it to Mr. Templeton and said to him: "arrange it". And thus Rod Templeton arranged it and registered it under his name. He should have registered it as arranger not as composer. On the other hand Luixy didn't write that song. In his website (www.luixytoledo.turincon.com) one can watch a scan of that score but there is no other document that could acreditate the date of registration authenticity.

Anyway, I am totally convinced that Luixy wrote those lines but, the Mr. Templeton arranging work has made an improved version. The royalties should be shared.

#3
2006-07-06 08:44
Anonymous said:

yeh you wish..I bet you are one of those people who love to bring Michael Jackson down in any way possible simply because its the fashionable thing to do in the modern day.

If you are so certain about the origins of the song maybe you should take it to court..I bet you would be shot down.

#4
~

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About the Author

jer@nyquil.org

The author lives in Vancouver, Washington, USA with his girlfriend and a menagerie of cats, rats, fish, birds, guinea pigs and robots.

Among other inanities, he strives to use investigative techniques to work young starlet breasts into every aspect of rational discourse -- focusing on the discourse, thus making it not perverted. Also, has recently begun a career as "Internet hairstylist."

He can be contacted via email and Jabber IM at 'jer@nyquil.org'. He likes to be contacted.

(All press inquiries, however, ought be directed towards the author's agent, Alistair Hoel, via email to ahoel@nyquil.org.)

Winner* of Sean Gleeson's Researcher of the Century Award.

*: I've technically only earned 5/6ths of the award, but maintain that I deserve the whole thing.

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