“I Thought I Was Fired”: Slash Recalls the Studio Blunder That Made Michael Jackson Burst Out Laughing

Rock legend Slash has worked with some of the biggest names in music history—but even the most seasoned pros have their awkward moments. The Guns N’ Roses guitarist recently revisited a hilarious mishap from his time recording with Michael Jackson, when one unexpected sound nearly derailed an entire session—and, for a moment, had Slash convinced he’d just been fired.

A Legendary Collaboration with a Legendary Slip-Up

The story dates back to 1991, during the recording sessions for Michael Jackson’s album Dangerous. Slash was invited to play guitar on the song “Give In to Me,” one of the album’s darker, rock-infused tracks that perfectly blended Jackson’s intensity with Slash’s signature edge.

The sessions, as Slash recalled, were focused and serious—reflecting Jackson’s perfectionism and the high production standards that defined his music. But in the middle of one particularly important take, something completely unplanned interrupted the magic.

The Unexpected Sound That Stopped the Session

“It was totally quiet in the studio,” Slash remembered in an interview. “Everyone was dialed in. And then my stomach made this loud rumbling sound—like a thunderclap.”

The timing couldn’t have been worse. In the middle of Jackson’s precise vocal phrasing and Slash’s guitar track, the unmistakable noise echoed through the studio microphones. The room went silent.

“I froze,” Slash said, laughing at the memory. “All I could think was, I just ruined a Michael Jackson recording. I thought I was fired on the spot.”

Michael Jackson’s Reaction: Laughter Instead of Frustration

Instead of frustration, what came next was laughter—pure, unrestrained laughter. From behind the control room glass, Slash heard Michael Jackson giggling through the studio intercom.

“Michael just cracked up,” Slash said. “He thought it was hilarious. That laugh broke all the tension in the room.”

The take was, of course, unusable—but the lighthearted moment revealed the more relaxed side of Jackson, who was often perceived as a relentless perfectionist.

The Meeting of Two Worlds: Rock Meets Pop Precision

The collaboration between Slash and Jackson was, at the time, an unexpected crossover between two musical titans from very different worlds. Slash, known for his gritty, blues-inspired guitar work, and Jackson, the epitome of pop precision, created something remarkable together.

“Give In to Me,” released as part of Dangerous in 1991, went on to become one of Jackson’s most acclaimed rock ballads—its live performances often featuring Slash on stage, his guitar solos adding raw intensity to Jackson’s powerhouse vocals.

A Moment of Humanity Behind the Perfection

For all its humor, the story stands out as a reminder that even the most legendary artists are human. The perfection of Dangerous—one of the best-selling albums of all time—was built not only on precision but on genuine moments of connection and laughter.

“After that day,” Slash recalled, “the sessions felt lighter. Michael had this great ability to make everyone feel at ease—even when you thought you’d just messed everything up.”

More than three decades later, that stomach rumble remains one of rock and pop’s most endearing behind-the-scenes stories—a moment where one of music’s most serious sessions turned into an unforgettable burst of laughter between two legends.