CHENNAI: You could speak Tamil or Thai — but it’s hard to find folks who don’t recognise the name Michael Jackson. The musician and dancer would have celebrated his 58th birthday if he were alive. With none of the usual tribute concerts organised in the city this time, City Express went on a nostalgic trip with six musicians and asked them if they ‘Remember The Time’ they performed their first MJ song on stage. Digging up those memories just like the songs, which you probably haven’t heard in a while is quite the ‘Thriller’. So, ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’! Here we go:
Nadisha Thomas
Smooth Criminal
I remember I was in college when I performed this song for the first time. And we used to do a whole medley around it, complete with the hat and the glittery gloves and everything. So people would actually call me the MJ girl in college.
Timmy Madhukar
Dirty Diana
I sang Dirty Diana at an MJ tribute show in 2009, right after he passed away. But I think I was hooked the moment I heard Beat It way back when my cousin had one of those vinyl records. Also, I can’t dance but I don’t think any of us will ever forget the moonwalk.
Roe Vincent
Billie Jean
It was six years ago when I was performing at the Unwind Center in one of our first ever shows with my band ‘Overtone’. And come to think of it, since then Don’t matter if you’re Black or White has sort of become a signature of ours.
Vivin Kuruvilla
Earth Song
I’ve played in three Michael Jackson tribute shows, so honestly, it’s hard to think of a song of his I haven’t performed on stage. But the Earth Song is probably my first and an easy favourite because I play the keys and this track begins with the most beautiful piano arrangement.
Josh Vivian
Man In The Mirror
I was 19 and we were just starting our own band when I sang this song. But I can still remember being so excited that I had grown my hair out like MJ and was wearing a hat. Even today, as part of Namma Ooru Boy Band, there’s a part of MJ in every music piece, from the style to dance sequences.
Kavita Thomas
Who’s Loving You
There are many memories of singing MJ songs on stage. In a Michael Jackson tribute, I sang Jackson 5’s hit Who’s Loving You and really worked hard to do justice to it. I also did a duet with Benny Dayal on I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.
Pet Trivia
At various points, he had a a pet python called Crusher, a ram called Mr Tibbs, two llamas named Louis and Lola and even a boa constrictor christened ‘Muscles’. His most famous pet of course was Bubbles, a monkey that he adopted from a cancer research clinic in Texas. So strong was their bond that Bubbles sat in on recording sessions for the Bad album and accompanied Jackson to Tokyo!
3 things you probably didn’t know
Don’t matter if you’re Black or White