Orianthi: Michael Jackson's Guitar Thriller

By Lyndsey Parker Mon Nov 2, 2009 10:38am PST 955 Comments

Michael Jackson's concert documentary This Is It made the King Of Pop the King Of The Box Office this week, as fans flocked to the theaters to catch a glimpse of what might have been, had the late superstar's London O2 Arena dates actually taken place. But the film also offered a glimpse of a young new talent whose career is just starting to explode: Jackson band member and guitar prodigy, Orianthi.

 

This 24-year-old Australian guitar goddess first captured American audiences' attention at this year's Grammy Awards, when she blazingly accompanied (some might even say upstaged) Grammy performer Carrie Underwood, and she has also been quite vocally championed by six-string legends Steve Vai and Carlos Santana. ("If I was going to pass the baton to somebody, she would be my first choice," Carlos once said of Orianthi.) It was in fact Orianthi's buzzy Grammy performance that made Michael himself take notice, and he quickly hired her to be his guitarist for the This Is It concerts. In fact, she was actually supposed to be Michael Jackson's official spokesperson during his much-hyped London residency.

Obviously, that sadly never came to pass, and Orianthi--who was actually with Michael the night before his death--ended up performing at Michael Jackson's Staples Center memorial instead. But still she raves: "Working with Michael was a life-changing experience, one I will never forget."

And now as Orianthi--recently named one of the "12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists" in Elle magazine--releases her debut solo album Believe and lead single "According To You," she is all over This Is It, electrifying the screen.

Below is the new video for "According To You," the first single off Believe. As far as real rock-chick role models go, this is it, people.

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955 Comments

1. J -
The most awesome guitar player on the planet. CANNOT wait until the album comes out!! She would have been awesome to see with Michael Jackson, but happy to hear an album coming out so soon!!!!

2. phil ranger -
i can't wait for her cd and for This Is It!!!!

3. Surf City Sounds Plus [Online Freeform Radio] -
Hi there!

My freeform web radio station is presently the only one and apparently the first on my streaming network to have Orianthi tunes on our playlists. She has my recommendation without prejudice... Long may she run!

JBK aka...etc., etc...

4. Angela -
CANNOT WAIT!!!!!! The cover looks awesome! =)

5. Yahoo! Music User -
I can already tell you she is objectively not the most awesome guitar player on the planet, and I haven't even heard her play. lol

6. alfaroad -
i thought Charo was the Female Guitar Goddess
:)

7. Eddie -
the most awesome guitar player on the planet? get real! i thought that was eddie van halen or jimmy hendrix??

8. L -
Wow! I'm like so proud of her--I say GO GIRL!!!! And she's gorgeou too!

9. Freddy -
he was never convicted..........and he payed cus he was being blackmailed

10. Alexandra -
Innocent until proven guilty... How about the millions of dollars these bad parents got from MJ putting their kids through hell for their own benefit. I am not convinced he was a child molester, but I definetly believe his concept of the world was far different from the society "norms".

But... this post is not about MJ, but about a strong talented woman. She is one of the best out there!!!
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