Forty years ago, an unrecognized singer named Whitney Houston walked into a recording session with session ace Paul Jackson Jr. Unbeknownst to him, this unassuming artist was destined for legendary status, her talents yet to be fully realized.

Bending Strings with a Legend: Paul Jackson Jr.'s Magic Touch on Whitney Houston's Debut

By 1985, the talented electric guitarist, Paul Jackson Jr., had made a name for himself in the recording industry, with credits on records by the likes of Anita Baker, Sheena Easton, and, most notably, Michael Jackson on the iconic Thriller. So when the call came to lend his virtuoso skills to a relatively unknown Whitney Houston for her self-titled debut album, it was a no-brainer.

With a resume filled with chart-topping hits, Jackson Jr. knew exactly what it took to make a track shine. "As a session musician," he explains, "the customer is always right, and it's all about playing well with others." His approach was about listening, adapting, and adding to the song to make sure it felt good.

Whitney Houston's album proved to be the perfect playground for Jackson Jr.'s talents, with soaring cuts like Greatest Love of All and Saving All My Love for You. Working alongside award-winning arranger Gene Page Jr. and co-producer Michael Masser, Jackson Jr. really found his groove. As he recounts, "Sometimes taking it to the next level meant lots of takes, but we'd record until the magic switch went off."

While Jackson Jr. excelled at adding his signature touch to Houston's album, he shares that the singer herself was more focused on following the flow. Being relatively unknown at the time, Houston didn't have much to say about the guitarist's input, but the results certainly spoke for themselves.

When Whitney Houston hit shelves in 1985, it was an instant success, propelling the singer to superstardom. The album has since sold over 25 million copies and is the most successful solo debut album in history. Despite his modesty, Jackson Jr. admits that he knew the album was going to be a hit. "It was a wonderful feeling to see her come out with a record that immediately started doing well. I consider it a blessing to have been a part of it."

Reflecting on his work on the iconic album, Jackson Jr. believes Houston's album was instrumental in launching her career, establishing her as an A-list artist. "To jump from relative obscurity to being at the forefront of everyone's A-list was major for her," he says. Jackson Jr.'s contributions played a significant role in that ascent, immortalizing his name in the annals of pop history.

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Paul Jackson Jr.'s electric guitar skills, showcased on Whitney Houston's self-titled debut, were honed with previous work on albums by artists like Anita Baker and Michael Jackson.
Collaborating with Gene Page Jr. and Michael Masser, Jackson Jr. utilized his signature technique to create standout tracks like Greatest Love of All and Saving All My Love for You on the album.
The guitarist's role was instrumental in launching Whitney Houston's career, as the album became the most successful solo debut in history, selling over 25 million copies.
As a result of his impactful work on the iconic album, Paul Jackson Jr.'s name has been immortalized in the annals of pop history.