Family reunion
Mohamad Kadry / 25 November 2012
Motown legends The Jacksons talk to City Times ahead of their debut Middle East performance in Abu Dhabi
They’re still the Jacksons, sans their most famous member.
After leaving an indelible imprint on pop culture that few other musical families have, the Jackson brothers are touring again following the untimely death of Michael who was, undoubtedly, the lightning rod that maintained the blinding glow of fame over his siblings.
As Jackie, Marlon and Tito speak to City Times ahead of their debut Middle East concert this weekend, they open up about their take on the evolution of pop music and why their late brother’s presence is always with them.
After living through so many different eras of music, what are your takes on today’s scene?
Marlon: I still think there’s good music out there today, but you’ll get a different persepctive from each of us.
Jackie: There is music out there today that I think is too stiff, too computerised and too technical – it doesn’t have that human feel to it like the good old Motown stuff where you could actually hear the music swinging back and forth. Now things are so quantised. I think that technologies such as voice emulators and production machines can be great, but artists today don’t really know what these sounds are supposed to actually sound like. Kids today don’t know how to go into a recording studio and produce a string section because they’ve never done it before.
Tito: Making music today is a lot cheaper than it was in the 60s and before. Today with a computer you can make all the music you want; you don’t necessarily have to have the talent that was required in those days. Back then people knew and studied their craft for many years, learning how to produce and sing. Now we have things like voice pitch correction and auto-tune; anybody with an idea can create music and I think that’s one of the problems – you don’t have that person who really feels it in his soul. I think music goes in cycles and it evolves from generation to generation.
Why do you think The Jacksons still enjoy such a global audience?
Marlon: Timeless songs like I’ll Be There were the type that really garnered fans from every age group, and it continues to do so.Jackie: When you go into the recording studio you want to make music that’s going to be around forever; we tried to make great songs with great lyrics, melodies and hooks - something that everybody can identify with. Our music is feel-good music; it makes you happy. It’s the type of music that you can get your whole family to listen to.
Tito: When we started we were very young, so we have many generations of fans - that has contributed to our longevity.
You’ve been performing together since you were kids. What is like sharing the stage with your brothers after all these years?
Marlon: Even if we haven’t been on stage for a while, when we’re together, everything just comes naturally. Even when Michael’s not on the stage where he would be, he’s still always there with us.Tito: It’s much easier because we know each other very well now; we’ve been doing this for decades and it’s very natural for us.
The show pays a lot of tribute to your late brother Michael. What has life been like for the family since he passed away?
Marlon: It’s been kind of sad because we’re still mourning; you never get over something like that.Jackie: When we’re on the stage we just feel his presence all around us, so we give it 110 percent because that’s exactly what he would be doing.
Tito: You learn to deal with it; you never get over it but you have to deal with it.
How did the show come together after all these years?
Jackie: We started receiving letters from fans from all around the world requesting us to perform again. It started on a piece of paper, jotting down ideas of what we wanted to do between the four of us.What’s it like going back to your hometown of Gary, Indiana where the group was formed all those decades ago?
Marlon: We went back in June. When we were kids it looked like a big mansion to us, but when we go there now, as soon as you open the front door you’re already out the back.
Jackie: I remember rehearsing in the living room; I thought the house was huge as a kid. I have fond memories of us playing baseball together there, and every time we started playing music, crowds from the neighbourhood would come gather around the house to listen and watch.
Tito: You begin to reminisce. It’s a great feeling and great experience.
Have you experienced any of the downfalls of fame?
Marlon: We’ve been in this business for as long as we can remember so there are certain things we all wanted to avoid.As fathers, what do you hope to pass along to your children?
Marlon: We tell them that while you’re kids, enjoy your childhoods, because once you become an adult you’ll be an adult for the remainder of your lives. Don’t be so quick to grow up.
Tito: My kids are in show business and I’ve always told them that no matter where you go or what you do, remember your roots and who you are - keep your head on straight.
What’s your favourite memory with Michael?
Marlon: When Michael and I were kids, we used to go around the neighbourhood with our wagon collecting bottles. We would take the wagonload to the corner store and cash them in – we would get a lot of money from that (laughs)!Jackie: I have so many; just performing on stage with him was incredible, watching him hold the crowd in the palm of his hand. I just loved watching him entertain.
Tito: My fondest memory is that Michael was a good spirit and prankster, and he would always tease everyone with a nickname. He loved show business and he always strived to be the best. He always looked after his brothers and gave them his support. He was just a great brother.
Source: Khaleej Times of Dubai
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