Entertainment BEAT - MICHAEL JACKSON - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Having seen live performance of what many perceive as being the greatest Jackson is the greatest entertainer I have ever seen. That greatest list includes mega stars Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra.

Sunday June 28, 2009

EXPERIENCES WITH MICHAEL JACKSON & THE JACKSONS

For me it was a weird week and after the announcement of Michael Jackson's tragic death at the age of 50 it became more bizarre. As did many I started to recall how this talented entertainer affected my life.

Having seen live performance of what many perceive as being the greatest entertainers Jackson is the greatest entertainer that I have ever seen. That list includes mega stars Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra.

For purely the entertainment standpoint to me Davis was the best before Jackson. Davis was a smooth talker who sang, danced and played several musical instruments. Jackson was introverted, quiet and seldom spoke. He sang and danced like no other but couldn't play an instrument but his dancing skills and voice served that purpose.

The irony this week was that earlier in the week I sent out an email to several friends asking them if they recall where they were when US President John F Kennedy was assassinated. It is said that most people won't forget where they were when Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas by the CIA as depicted in the Oliver Stone's JFK film. It is said that many won't forget where they were when the September 11th destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City occurred.

After seeing the Jacksons on TV I was so impressed by them that for a birthday present my then live-in girlfriend treated my to a Jackson Five concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The Commodores and Weather Report were also on the bill. The Jackson Five stole the show but there was more to come as shortly after I was asked to become a journalist who primarily was focused on the music, entertainment and related businesses.

As a journalist I reviewed the Jackson's and Michael's solo albums. His collaboration with producer Quincy Jones in 1978 on the Off The Wall album turned out to be my all-time favorite. That album sold seven million in the US and eventually sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The two collaborated again with Thriller which sold a record 26 million albums.

THE JACKSON CONNECTION

My first Jackson connection came about by knowing friends who went to school with the Jackson's. Michael's school days became tutored days when he started to record and perform with his older brothers.

I began doing album and concert reviews during the period that Michael began his solo career. It was during that time when I reviewed his album and a concert in Los Angeles. His performance was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. My first reaction was WOW!!! This guy was a genius. It was if he was on something else. It didn't matter what it was, it was producing good results since this guy was an electric performer unlike anything I had ever seen.

In 1979 while I was working for SelecTV the pioneer in the Pay Per View television industry. At the same time I continued my journalism career and wrote for several music industry publications. While at Select I was also as a member of our softball team we celebrated our first anniversary in 1979 with a party in the park and a doubleheader softball game against the Jacksons. A celebrity crowd was in attendance including then rookie Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers. Our team included Bill Mechanic who eventually became president of Fox pictures and was responsible for the release of the film Titanic and many other blockbusters.

It was a star studded crowd. All of the brothers were there including the younger brothers Marlon and Randy... all were their except for one, that being Michael. We split the double header and I pitched the winning game with a 7-4 result.

During that same time period I was as a member of the BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated - a performing rights organization) softball team. On two occasions the oldest Jackson, Jackie played for us and I asked him why Michael doesn't play and he simply stated he doesn't play ball. At that time Michael was 20-21.

After the Select experience I became involved in the limousine business with the largest company in the world DavEl limousines which was based at the Beverly Hills hotel. At one time we had a fleet of 175 cars and our clients included the biggest in the entertainment business. At that time Michael hired only one company to drive him that was believed to be owned by a friend of his. The problem was they had only seven cars and that predicament eventually led to my encounter with Michael.

Part 3 - THE CHASE WITH MICHAEL AND LIZA

Part 1 - MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD @ 50

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