David Williams (November 21, 1950 – March 6, 2009)^[1] was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, andproducer. He played as a session guitarist for artists includingMadonna andMichael Jackson.^[2][3]

Williams grew up inNewport News, Virginia. At a young age, he was influenced byKenny Burrell,Wes Montgomery and otherjazz artists.

Williams later began his professional music career withThe Dells, an R&B group. When he went on to serve in theVietnam War his career was put on hold. After returning to the U.S. in 1972 he moved toLos Angeles reuniting with the Dells. He also worked withthe Temptations at that point. Soon he established, with bassistJames Jamerson, Jr., the R&B groupChanson. Chanson released the 1978 single "Don't Hold Back" which rose to No. 21, #11 and No. 8 on theHot 100,Dance Club andHot R&B Songs charts respectively.^{[2][4][5][6][7]}

Williams was brought toMichael Jackson's attention by Everett "Blood" Hollins, who had heard Chanson on the radio and was impressed with Williams' guitar playing. He was hired to play on Jackson's 1979 albumOff the Wall. He was also featured on every song but one (second only toTito Jackson) forthe Jacksons' 1980 albumTriumph. He also played on the Jacksons'1981 concert tour, which was recorded for the albumThe Jacksons Live!

Williams became a popular session guitarist, playing on albums bythe Pointer Sisters (1980),Peter Allen (1980),Aretha Franklin (1980), and theFour Tops (1981). In 1982, he worked with Michael Jackson again onMichael Jackson'sThriller album, where his signature funky strumming and a minimalist solo famously anchor "Billie Jean". Williams played rhythm guitar onStevie Nicks' 1983 single "Stand Back". In 1986, Williams joinedMadonna's recording and touring bands, contributing to 1986'sTrue Blue (album) and 1989'sLike a Prayer (album), and performing on the 1987Who's That Girl World Tour and the 1990Blond Ambition World Tour. During this period of time, Williams also performed on Michael Jackson's albumBad (1987) with hit songs including "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Dirty Diana" and "Smooth Criminal".

He made a contribution to films singing lead on the song "No Negatives of You" which he co-composed with Bill Kinzi and A. Shapiro. It was in theNico Mastorakis 1987 directed comedyTerminal Exposure.^[8][9] Unfortunately it wasn't included in the soundtrack which was released by Notefornote Entertainment on August 12, 2022.^[10]

Williams had two daughters, actressDavida Williams and singerDana Williams. He died of cardiac arrest on March 6, 2009 inHampton, Virginia southeast ofWilliamsburg at age 58.^[11]

Solo albums

• Take the Ball and Run (1983)
• Somethin' Special (1991)

• David Williams discography atDiscogs
• Obituary published in "The Daily Press" 10 March 2009
• David Williams atIMDb

• 1950 births
• 2009 deaths
• 20th-century American guitarists
• 21st-century American guitarists
• American rhythm guitarists
• Musicians from Newport News, Virginia
• American male guitarists
• American session musicians
• African-American record producers
• African-American guitarists
• Record producers from Virginia
• 20th-century American male musicians
• 21st-century American male musicians
• Guitarists from Virginia
• American rock guitarists
• American lead guitarists
• American soul guitarists
• American rhythm and blues guitarists
• American funk guitarists
• 20th-century African-American musicians
• 21st-century African-American musicians

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