We certainly have some odd memories of Michael Jackson from his last few decades but a new release once again confirms that his quirkiness ran long and deep. A new interview has emerged via PBS's Blank on Blank series, featuring the pop star speaking with music historian John Pidgeon during 1980.
Jackson was 22 and coming off of his hit record Off The Wall and already his odd habits were making themselves evident. Rather than answer questions from Pidgeon directly, the writer had to give them to Janet Jackson (at the time 13 years old) who then relayed them to Michael, who would then answer. It must have been a trip to Pidgeon, who was sitting in the room with both of them.
"When Michael is in the studio, is it important for him to go for a vocal straight away or does he kind of build up to doing the one?" he asks before Janet converts it for her brother. "When you're in the studio, does it...do you...do you have to go for a vocal straight away or do you have to build up to it?"
The curiosity of the clip is compounded by the fact that the Blank on Blank series is animated, meaning that we watch a cartoon version of all characters speaking with their real-life voices. Therefore much of the interview finds Jackson speaking from a Noah's Ark-style ship...inside of a whiskey growler (not literally of course...it's all the interpretation of the animator).
It's a telling commentary of Jackson's life from his own mouth, especially when the duo/trio discuss the mission of achieving perfection in music. Jackson laments never being satisfied even when his singles go to no. 1.
You can watch the full clip below.
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
