Two absolute musical kings are standing in a private home studio. Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury are ready to make history in 1983. They are trying to record an amazing rock duet called “State of Shock.”
It was supposed to be the crown jewel of pop music. But the track completely sputtered out.
Why was this incredible masterpiece locked away in a vault for decades?
Freddie Mercury About Meeting Michael Jackson (RARE)
There was a hilarious and wild clash of lifestyles.
Michael was a huge animal lover. He actually brought his giant pet llama right into the recording studio! Freddie was totally shocked. He called his manager in a huge panic. He said he had had enough and just wanted to get out of there.
But Michael had his own strict rules, too. He did not like Freddie’s wild partying habits and drug use. Michael wanted a clean, focused, and totally disciplined workspace. He was a pure perfectionist.
The Jacksons, Mick Jagger – State of Shock (Official Audio)
Eventually, time just ran out. Freddie had to go back to his famous band, Queen.
But Michael did not give up. He just pivoted. He recorded the final version of the song with rock legend Mick Jagger instead. This wild recording session set the stage for the future. It explains why so many other amazing collaborations from that era stayed totally unreleased. The pure wildness was not just in the music. It was in the heavy friction between two massive, eccentric stars trying to share one tiny room.
You can put the two biggest, brightest stars in the entire universe together. But sometimes, true magic needs the absolute perfect environment to grow. If the mix is not right, you just have to boldly walk away and create your own solo masterpiece.