[2][4][5][6][7] Steadily growing success didn't begin until he was brought to Michael Jackson's attention by Everett "Blood" Hollins, who had heard Chanson on the radio and was impressed with Williams' guitar playing.
Williams became a popular session guitarist, playing on albums by the Pointer Sisters (1980), Peter Allen (1980), Aretha Franklin (1980) and the Four Tops (1981).
In 1982, he was used once again on Michael Jackson's Thriller album, where his signature funky strumming and a minimalist solo famously anchor "Billie Jean".
After the success of these projects Williams became one of the most in-demand pop music union session guitarists for the next decade, recording again with Aretha Franklin or with Madonna, Julio Iglesias, George Benson, the Manhattan Transfer, Michael McDonald, Melissa Manchester, the Temptations, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Dionne Warwick, Shalamar, Go West, ABC, Boz Scaggs, Karen Carpenter, Mariah Carey, Julian Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Paul McCartney, Johnny Mathis, Del Shannon, Chaka Khan, Paul Hardcastle, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Lionel Richie, Jessica Simpson, Diana Ross, the Crusaders, Andraé Crouch, Eddie Murphy, Herbie Hancock, Peter Cetera, Whitney Houston, Monkey Business and more.
[citation needed] He made a contribution to the film world with his singing lead on the song "No Negatives of You" which he co-composed with Bill Kinzi and A. Shapiro.