Newstalgia Pop Chronicles: An Interview With The Jackson 5 - 1973
(The Jackson 5 - with Michael in front. Before it all got very complicated)
(In remembrance of the2nd anniversary of the passing of Michael Jackson, I'm reposting this interview which originally appeared in 2009).
With the tragic death of Michael Jackson, and the reverberations of his passing echoing around the world, I ran across an interview Michael and his brothers did in 1973. They had just arrived in New York on the third leg of a world tour - they were playing Madison Square Garden that particular night - the night being July 22, 1973. It was a sold out concert, as so many of them were. The Jackson 5 were at the pinnacle of their success - the world in many ways was still their oyster. Michael was the wise old age of 13.
So this hour, recorded at radio station WWRL in New York features Michael all the brothers talking and joking - optimistic about the future, with that cocky assurance everything is possible, before it all got very serious and very out of control.
Before it all changed.
Saw MJ in Pittsburgh way back in 1988, Civic Arena. Great time. You'll be missed.
After the astronomic success of Thriller, Micheal could have called the shots in the music world with muscle. Unfortunately he completely discarded R&B, the very sound that made him what he was. W.E.B DuBois said over a hundred years ago in his book "The Soul of Black Folk" that until black people can be comfortable with themselves they can never be comfortable in America. Micheal Jackson lost his touch when he commercially chose to follow the Nation instead of leading it.
I loved Micheal Jackson but I also see him as a total sellout, losing his incomparable greatness and way trying cash in while kissing the ass of Sarah Palin's America...The first ones to turn on him of course.
He was an entertainer. Period. Yes, he was great for awhile but pissed it away trying to be 'child' forever.
By the way, if anybody actually cares, a truely great person who did plenty for America is apparently on his death bed. Walter Cronkite is near death, according to his family. Wonder if a real newsman will receive the same outpouring as that hack Tim Russert.
a few hours after it was announced that Michael Jackson was dead.
To paraphrase, "When the real truth comes out about what happened to Michael the world will be shocked."
I think this article touches upon what was really going on leading up to his death:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-...
It seems to me through all the "enabling" that was going on that he was ever so slowly murdered.
Shame on everyone who didn't truly try to help this troubled man.
(Although I would be the first to admit that he was mostly to blame in the end...).
Fame and fortune can be a lonely and gruesome task master.
"The US has an army of 90,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and is spending $100bn a year, but has still been unable to defeat 20,000-25,000 Taliban who receive no pay at all." - Patrick Cockburn
Poor Farrah, got knocked off the front page from day one because of MJ. And the saddest part of all how it is has cut short Ryan O"neill's grandstanding and camera mugging opportunities for himself over her death.
I fail to find anything "tragic" in his death. Considering the amount and variety of drugs he was putting into his anorexic body it's a wonder it didn't happen sooner.
How do you know this? Were you there? Just as likely some folks were trying to capitalize on his wealth. And the question then becomes, if the parents thought he was a child molester then why did they let their kids sleep over at MJ's? What kind of parents were they? Gold diggers?
Btw, do you smoke? do you drink? Have you ever taken prescription drugs? If so, you're a drug user too!
Careful about those stones you're throwing.
Since Michael was born on August 29, 1958, on July 22, 1973 he would be 14 and not 13.
You beat me to it.
Which brings up Rolling Stone magazine's 1971 cover shot of Michael. The headline read, "Why is this 11-year-old up past his bedtime?" (or something like that). In April of 1971, the future King of Pop was 12.
I hate math, but, hey, this is simple stuff ...
I miss afros...
And look at Michael Jackson, back when he was still black AND male...
Hard to believe that look was ever cool.
Michael's sweater vest and shirt have clashing patterns.
But at least the slacks don't sag to their knees.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
So in 1973, Michael would have been 14 or 15, but its very possible that he was claiming to only be 13.
Back when the Jackson 5 first got signed by Motown, the label listed all the kids to be about 2 years younger than they really were (the idea was younger = cuter, and "wow, how can a 7 year old sing like that!"). No doubt there are many articles and interviews from the late 60's and early 70's that don't have Michael's age right.
The label also made up a whole lotta phony back stories, like the one about Diana Ross discovering them, etc.
In short, Motown didn't let the truth get in the way of good marketing.
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