INTERVISTE A MJ e CONVERSAZIONI DI MJ

The magazine Black and White, over the years, has made a lot of services and covers concerning Michael. In 1996 closely followed the tour History, and Michael released an interview to them.
Michael is looking at the Tour Program that B&W made.
M: I love this program! You guys did a wonderful job, you are the best.
Michael is now looking at the History n4 magazine When he sees a picture from ITC taken while he is singing and has his hands on his ears.
M: Sandy Gallin adores this picture, I never understood why, I don't like it... Then he takes the B&W magazine n24
M: Oh, I've never seen this issue!
B&W: We sent it to you!
Michael calls Bob Jones who is in the next room.
M: I didn't get this issue...
Bob-Don't look at me like that! I sent you 3 packages three weeks ago, did you open them?
Michael is a little embarrassed and softly says:
M: they were in there?
Bob, laughing- Sure! You must open these things, there's stuff for you in it!
M: I know, I didn't have the time...
Bob: Also you need to tell me what to do with the statue...
M: What statue?
Bob: The statue from the Museum Grevin, your statue!
M: What? It's arrived?
Bob: Sure! It's in my office since many days, It's in pieces, I'm waitng for you to tell me what to do with it! And anyway, don't ask me to assemble it cause I won't!
M: Can you send it to Neverland?-Smiling

Michael goes on reading through the B&W magazine, he looks at the cover:
M: Do the fans like this photo?
B&W: They love it, everyone loved it.
Then Michael turns the pages and stops of the Collectibles page and sees a picture of the Smile single and asks whether it came out in Europe:
B&W: no, the single has been cancelled, it never came out...
M: mmh!- Sighing
B&W: Did you want it to come out?
M: Sure! Sony should have had that single come out! - Saying this Michael has an upset expression on his face. Then he turns to the pages with the Life article pictures, and he starts smiling, looking at the photos of PJ he says:
M: He is so cute with that microphone! He was doing his teeth on it!
B&W: Can we ask you how your family is doing?
M: Very well, Thank you, actually my son was here yesterday, we had a photo session together...
B&W: Does he speak yet?
M: No, not yet, but he can walk! He walks everywhere, he never stops!

Then Michael looks at the pictures of Ghosts, those when he is making the faces, and burst out laughing.
B&W: In 96 we went to NY to see Ghosts, after that the film has been modified: Is it Scary and Ghosts have been added to the original Soundtrack, who decided to do that?
M: Stan Winston thought we should put more songs in the film, so we did, but I thought that the first version was good, I was satisfied. Then he looks at a picture of him in SA walking with a bunch of kids
M: this photo is wonderful! Sir come see!- Bob Jones comes in again.
Bob: That one is also beautiful. Michael looks at the photo of him motorskying.
B&W: Do you know that the fans loved this pic?
M: Really?
B&W: It's always like that when they see you in a strange situation..
M: I understand, the fans love to see me doing things I normally don't do...
B&W: Exactly, for example they adore to see you doing parasailing! Like you did in SA.. At these words Michael starts speaking with enthusiasm:
M: Yes! What a wonderful memory! You must publish the picutres we took that day! I want to do it again! It was a wonderful experience! I loved it so much that I wanted to do it four times in a row! It's flying, seeing the world from above...I love the water, but I can't bathe as often as I'd like...-Michael stops and assumes a thoughtful expression. Then he goes on to the page of the maxi-shop:
M: Do you think I could get a little statue like that?- he asks shily pointing at the History statuette they offer with some orders.
B&W: We'll see...-Laughing

B&W: Did you receive the collecting cards we sent you?
M: Yes, but the kids that travel with me have gone all over them and they disappeared. It's always like that! Then he keeps turning the pages, his eyes stop on a photo of him with Diana Ross, then he sees a photo of him and Lisa Marie on a rollercoaster upside down
M: I've never seen this photo before!-Laughs- I like it! Then he keeps on turning until he gets to the fans pages where there's a photo of a half naked boy, it's a montage. Michael ROTFLHAOs and shows the picture to Bob
M: look! After a moment of mad laughing, he calms down.
M: I love the fans! I love to read their messages and their banners...

At the end of the magazine there's a BW cover for the Elizabeth I love you TV broadcast.
M: What is this?
B&W: It's a cover that they can cut up and put on their tape of the broadcast. Do you know that the fans adore 'Elizabeth I love" you the song?
M: Really?
B&W: It has become a classic. there's so much emotion in that song, such intensity!
M: I had no idea that they liked it so much...I wrote it in Switzerland especially for that night, but I never knew what the public thought of it. When I finish one project I move on to the next, I can't wait, but I'm happy you are telling me this, it's interesting, I never know what the fans think about what I do-
*(Little comment from Luna, "cause we are too occupied in staring at other things...)*
Then Michael takes on a thoughful expression and says to himself-So the fans loved it, interesting...

Michael is looking now at History magazine, at a picture with Marcel Marceau in NY 95
M: It's wonderful! I adore this version of Childhood, it's strange, nobody ever saw it...there are things like that which nobody will ever see...it was wonderful...
M, to Bob: We filmed everything, right?
B&W: Will you ever do this show for HBO one day?
M: No, I don't think so, I worked so much to prepare that show, there was such a pression, people pushing me to do this show no matter what! Then finally, the nature took its course and said "stop", she decided I shouldn't do that show...

Michael is still looking at History, when he sees a picture on Bob during the WMA in Monaco
M: OOHH! Sir! Look, it's you in Monaco! You are so well dressed ! What a class, it's so chic! Then M leans over to the BW guys and wispers
M: He loves Monaco, he loves champagne and caviar!
Every one laughs and the mood in that room is extraordinary, they have never seen Michael so relaxed...
B&W: M, what do you think of BOTDF, are you satisfied with that album?
M, immediately- I'm never satisfied with anything, if it was for me, no album woul ever come out...(*sigh!*)
B&W: What do you think of the remixes they did of your songs?
M: The least I can say is that I don't like them...I don't like it that they come in and change my songs completely, (*Dear Michael, I don't like it either....poor baby!*) But Sony says that the kids love remixes...

B&W: That is not true! The kids don't love the remixes that much, especially those on BOTDF!
M: I knew it! I was sure!
Throwing a fist in the air, then he shakes his head sighing

Stop right here! I have to break into this interview people! Sorry!!
Note from Mjjsan: I love your remixes Michael!!!!!!!!!!! Not everyone feels like they do! I listen to your remixes all the time!!!! And I love the BOTFD remixes too!!! I simply HAD to say this! Ha. Continue on with the interview now.

B&W: What do you think of the BOTDF cover?
M: I like it!
B&W: We always talk about the songs that the fans love and one they like most is On The Line. So Michael starts singing the song clapping his hands! At this extraordinary show, the guys are speachless for a moment. Seeing their reaction Michael smiles shyly.
B&W: Babyface has composed this title, but your interpretation is so inspired that the song takes on another kind of dimension.
M: Thank you very much, I love that song, did it come out as a single?
B&W: no, it's just in the Ghosts box
Sighing again,
M: One more song hasn't released as single!
B&W: One of your best performance was the Grammy 88
M: Oh yes? You liked the slow version of TWYMMF?I always wanted to do that...
B&W: But there's also something we didn't like, it's the broadcast version of the History show, honnestly, the TV concert is not that good, it takes a lot away from the show, the sound is mediocre and also the editing...It's very deceiving!
M: It's true, I was very disappointed by that...I didn't take care of it personally, I saw the final result on the last week. The concert was edited during the tour, I was so exausted, then that I had to let other people do it in my place. But today I'm disappointed, it's not good. I won't let that version come out for sale. I want to edit it all over again and I want to add twnty minutes at the beginning to show the fans arriving in the stadium, I want to show the enthusiasm,the thrill of the public...

B&W: How do you create your videos? Do you always have a lot of ideas?
M: Yes, always. And also I'm submitted interesting projects at times. But I don't always get to do the things I want. Some people push me to do things fast, they don't care about the result, so they don't care that the videos will look like everyone else's , they don't want to be creative. They are limited...I always wanted to do videos that were innovative, and I want to continue like that
(*ohmigod Mikey, don't get mad, we luv ya anyway...boy he is so pissed at Sony, isn't he??*)
B&W: That is your characteristic indeed..
M: Yes, I want to do some videos like thriller, Beat it, Billie jean, new works, creative, innovative...But some people only want that I put myself in front of the camera, and when the lights go on they hope something magic will happen...just like that, without thinking, Well, it doesn't work that way...
The BW guys say it's strange to see Michael so upset, it's the artist talking, any obstacle to his imagination and creative mind is not to be tolerated
B&W: What will you do next? A movie or a new album?
M: I WILL record a new album first. I have composed so many songs. Then I'll do a movie.

After 45 minutes of chatting, it's time to take pictures. Bob asks M if he remembers the first time BW met with him?
M: Yes, it was on that island close to France...
Actually it was Tenerife, close to Morocco, but it doesn't matter, it's already too much for him to remember it was an island!
Suddenly, M to Bob: Do you like caviar?
Bob: I love it.
M: I think it's too salty for me...
M to BW (while they take more photos)- Have you watched the Motown 40?
B&W: Not yet
M: It was interesting...- in a low voice
Bob: The ratings were catastrofic, after Motown 25, how could they have done better? They should have finished it there...
M: Motown 25 was the top- whispering

After taking more photos, it's time to say goodbye. The guys thank Michael and exit the suite, waiting for the elevator. It arrives and the guys are ready to go in. Suddenly they see a figure approaching, it's Michael, he needs the elevator too, the guys move back to let him go first, but Michael says politely:
M: No! I don't want to steal your elevator!
They insist, and Michael gets in the elevator, while the doors close Michael keeps thanking them and clapping his hands.

(BTW, I forgot to tell you that the whole thing took place in the bedroom of a suite, everyone was sitting on the bed! Including Michael who originally put some pillows behind his back and comfortably leaned on the bed (sitting up, not laying..).

In August of 1982, Interview’s executive editor, Bob Colacello, interviewed Michael Jackson, then 23, at the condominium in the San Fernando Valley that the singer was renting with his family while their house nearby was being redecorated. (Andy Warhol called from New York midway through their conversation.) Jackson, of course, was already famous for his work with his brothers in the Jackson Five, but his first adult solo album, Off the Wall (1979), released three years earlier, had made him a star in his own right. When this interview took place, he was at work on a storybook companion record for the Steven Spielberg film E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)—hence the E.T. references—and was fielding an array of film-role offers. He was also finishing up recording Thriller (1982), which would go on to become the best-selling album of all time. The following is an excerpt from their interview as it originally appeared as the cover story of the October 1982 issue.

BOB COLACELLO: Did you like performing as a child? Did you always love it?

MICHAEL JACKSON: Always did. I always enjoyed the feeling of being onstage—the magic that comes. When I hit the stage it’s like all of a sudden a magic from somewhere just comes and the spirit just hits you and you just lose control of yourself. I came onstage at Quincy’s [Jones] concert at the Rose Bowl and I did not want to go onstage. I was ducking and hiding and hoping he wouldn’t see me hiding behind people when he called me on. Then I went up there and I just went crazy. I started climbing up the scaffold, the speakers, the light gear. The audience started getting into it and I started dancing and singing and that’s what happens.

COLACELLO: How do you compare acting to performing on the stage?

JACKSON: I love both. Acting is the cream of the crop. I love performing. It’s a phenomenal getaway. If you want to really let out everything you feel, that’s the time to do it. With acting, it’s like becoming another person. I think that’s neat, especially when you totally forget. If you totally forget, which I love to do, that’s when it’s magic. I love to create magic—to put something together that’s so unusual, so unexpected that it blows people’s heads off. Something ahead of the times. Five steps ahead of what people are thinking. So people see it and say, “Whoa I wasn’t expecting that.” I love surprising people with a present or a gift or a stage performance or anything. I love John Travolta, who came off that Kotter show. Nobody knew he could dance or do all those things. He is like—boom. Before he knew it, he was the next big Brando or something.

COLACELLO: He hasn’t done much lately.

JACKSON: I know. I think he’s choosing scripts and stuff. It’s always difficult for anyone trying to compete against their past achievements . . .

COLACELLO: It seems that what really motivates you is your desire to entertain people, to please people. What about fame and money? Could you imagine not being famous or does being famous bother you?

JACKSON: It never has bothered me except sometimes when you want peace. Like you go to the theater and you say, “Nobody’s bothering me tonight, I’m wearing my hat and glasses and I’m going to enjoy this film and that’s all there is to it.” You get in there and everybody’s watching and staring at you and at the climax of the film somebody taps you on the shoulder for an autograph. You just feel like you can’t get away . . .

COLACELLO: You’re very close to your parents. Do they live out here in L.A.?

JACKSON: Yes. My mother’s upstairs. My father’s at the office.

COLACELLO: What’s your typical day like?

JACKSON: Daydreaming most of the day. I get up early and get ready for whatever I’ve got to do, songwriting or whatever it is. Planning the future and stuff.

COLACELLO: Are you optimistic about the future?

JACKSON: Yes. I always like to plan ahead of time and follow up . . .

COLACELLO: Do you care about fashion much?

JACKSON: No, I care about what I wear onstage. You know what I love, though? I don’t care about everyday clothes. I love putting on an outfit or a costume and just looking at myself in the mirror. Baggy pants or some real funky shoes and a hat and just feeling the character of it. That’s fun to me.

COLACELLO: You like to act a lot just in everyday life?

JACKSON: I love it so much. It’s escape. It’s fun. It’s just neat to become another thing, another person. Especially when you really believe in it and it’s not like you’re acting. I always hated the word acting—to say, “I’m an actor.” It should be more than that. It should be more like a believer.

COLACELLO: But isn’t that a little frightening when you believe it totally?

JACKSON: No, that’s what I really love about it. I just like to really forget.

COLACELLO: Why do you want to forget so much? Do you think life is really hard?

JACKSON: No, maybe it’s because I just like jumping in other people’s lives and exploring. Like Charlie Chaplin. I just love him to death. The little tramp, the whole gear and everything, and his heart—everything he portrayed on the screen was a truism. It was his whole life. He was born in London, and his father died an alcoholic when he was six. He roamed the streets of England, begging, poor, hungry. All this reflects on the screen and that’s what I like to do, to bring all of those truths out . . .

COLACELLO: Do you sometimes feel as though you missed out on childhood because you’ve always been performing in the adult world?

JACKSON: Sometimes.

COLACELLO: But you like people older than yourself, experienced people.

JACKSON: I love experienced people. I love people who are phenomenally talented. I love people who’ve worked so hard and been so courageous and are the leaders in their fields. For me to meet somebody like that and learn from them and share words with them—to me that’s magic. To work together. I’m crazy about Steven Spielberg. Another inspiration for me, and I don’t know where it came from, is children. If I’m down, I’ll take a book with children’s pictures and look at it and it will just lift me up. Being around children is magic . . .

COLACELLO: Are you interested in art?

JACKSON: I love to draw—pencil, ink pen—I love art. When I go on tour and visit museums in Holland, Germany or England—you know those huge paintings?—I’m just amazed. You don’t think a painter could do something like that. I can look at a piece of sculpture or a painting and totally lose myself in it. Standing there watching it and becoming part of the scene. It can draw tears, it can touch you so much. See, that’s where I think the actor or performer should be—to touch that truth inside of the person. Touch that reality so much that they become a part of what you’re doing and you can take them anywhere you want to. You’re happy, they’re happy. Whatever the human emotions, they’re right there with you. I love realism. I don’t like plastics. Deep down inside we’re all the same. We all have the same emotions and that’s why a film like E.T. touches everybody. Who doesn’t want to fly like Peter Pan? Who doesn’t want to fly with some magic creature from outer space and be friends with him? Steven went straight to the heart. He knows—when in doubt, go for the heart . . .

[Andy Warhol calls from New York.]

ANDY WARHOL: Hello?

JACKSON: Hi.

WARHOL: Gosh, this is exciting. You know, every time I use my Walkman I play your cassette on it . . . How have you been?

JACKSON: I’ve been in the studio a lot, writing lyrics and working on songs and stuff.

WARHOL: I might go see an English rock group at the Ritz tonight called Duran Duran. Do you know them?

JACKSON: No.

WARHOL: I went to see Blondie at the Meadowlands last week.

JACKSON: How was Blondie?

WARHOL: She was great. She’s so terrific. Do you know her?

JACKSON: No, I never met her.

WARHOL: Well, when you come to New York I’ll introduce her. Going on tour is about the hardest thing to do in the world.

JACKSON: Tour is something—the pacing. But being onstage is the most magic thing about it . . .

WARHOL: Did you ever think you’d grow up to be a singer?

JACKSON: I don’t ever remember not singing, so I never dreamed of singing.

WARHOL: Do you go out a lot or stay home?

JACKSON: I stay home.

WARHOL: Why do you stay home? There’s so much fun out. When you come to New York we’ll take you out.

JACKSON: The only time I want to go out is when I’m in New York.

WARHOL: Do you go to the movies?

JACKSON: Oh, yes. We’re going to be working on the E.T. album. I had a picture session with E.T. and it was so wonderful . . . He’s hugging me and everything.

WARHOL: I like Tron. It’s like playing the video games. Have you seen it?

JACKSON: Yes. It didn’t move me.

WARHOL: Well, thanks a lot. See you soon.

JACKSON: I hope so . . .

Michael: Beh, un paio d'ore, un po' più lungo di quello che conosci. Abbiamo una gran folla. Ci saranno effetti pirotecnici e ci saranno... ci saranno un sacco di, sai, cose del genere perché io aaaamo questo tipo di cose. E ci saranno illusioni ed è davvero emozionante, non vedo l'ora .
Glenda : (ridacchia mentre lui parla)
Michael: Mi piace, non voglio più tornare a casa.
Glenda : (risatina)
Michael: E tu sai che mi sento [accettato? Esattamente così?] sul palco. Soprattutto quando [tutto quello (I) in tutto il luogo] Oh Dio, lo amo! Amo questo. Yeah.
Glenda : E ' meraviglioso.
Michael: Sono così eccitato.
Glenda : Lo sento nella tua voce
Michael: Sto facendo tutto (I) sto facendo i miei esercizi vocali e altra roba, [andando a letto] e (I)
Glenda : La tua voce è al top della forma?
Michael: Yeah!
Glenda : (si schiarisce la voce) Ti senti bene?
Michael: Mi sento alla grande. Mi sento così bene. Sai, ero un po ' scettico quando questo (non udibile) ma ora che sono qui non vedo l'ora, non vedo l'ora !
Glenda : (risata)
Michael : Non vedo l'ora. Sono andato, siamo andati in questo ospedale, e abbiamo visto un sacco di - sono già stato avanti e indietro [in Germania ?] E noi, ehm, siamo stati su questo giro in elicottero ed è bello questo paese. Voglio dire c'è un sacco di verde, cieli azzurri, molto verde. (I) e abbiamo visto questo castello, questo castello della Baviera, sai?
G: uhuh
Michael: e si chiama Noo - Noo .. Sheee sjdskdjaskj .. wooonnnn .... sheee cheeee ... (cerca di pronunciarlo, haha!) (Sta parlando del Castello di Neuschwanstein, che ha ispirato a Disney il castello della Bella Addormentata nel bosco)

Glenda : Yeah Yeah ... .
Michael: E, e ... yeah.
Michael e Glenda : (risatina)
Michael: E Re Ludwig governava lì, aveva l'abitudine di vivere lì. Dicono che era un vero pazzo. Come se intendessero che era davvero strano, sì.
Glenda : Resta in linea. Hey! Vai avanti. (un'altra linea? Qualcuno dice Ciao in sottofondo)
Michael: (borbotta) ho sentito : (I) stai urlando?
Glenda : Vieni e trovalo (Glenda sta parlando con una persona nella stanza di nuovo)
Michael: Cosa?
Glenda : Sto parlando con Kevin adesso. Vuole salutarti. Non ha parlato con te da un po'. (silenzio). Va bene?
Michael: Yeah!
Glenda : Rimani in linea.
Michael: (Michael sta parlando con qualcuno nella stanza)... Come hai fatto? (Ridendo)... Stavo per dire "Bill , di che cosa stai parlando?"
Glenda : Puoi continuare a parlare. Lui non c'è ancora. ( parla di Kevin, credo).
Michael: Oh. Ma mi eccita. Sto guardando la mia tabella di marcia e altra roba. Stiamo per andare a Berlino per (I), a Colonia, che è (i) e questo posto chiamato Phantasialand.

Glenda : Davvero?
Michael: Andremo allo zoo di Francoforte. E andremo alla (non udibile ). E speravo, non lo so, ma io non so quali [ giorni ?] .
Glenda : (ride)
Michael: (presumibilmente a qualcuno in sottofondo) L' ho fatto, l'ho fatto davvero!
G: Hello?
M: Ciao.
G: Ciao.
M: Sto per (I)
G: Non so che cosa significa
M: Questo significa, risatine, (I)
G: uh uh
M: Qual è stata la successiva ( I)
M: Ho detto ciao e (I) ( ridono entrambi) Sì, [ Schwarzee? parola straniera] Mi piace quello
G: Cosa vuol dire di nuovo?
M: Significa, [ Schwarzee ] significa (chiunque lo cattura?) Schwarzee (I)
G: oh, sembra carino.
M: abbiamo questa MTV qui ma è vecchia di 2 anni
G: oh davvero? Oh
M: Sì, è davvero strano però. Sei mai stata a [ Londra ?]
G : Sì
M: E' come se, sai , riguardo a Los Angeles è come se fossero due anni indietro.
G : No
M: Sì , sono due anni dietro a noi. E anche in Germania, sono, è diverso. Le ragazze sono (I)
G: Davvero?
M : Sì, lo sono.
G: Quando siamo andati in Sud Africa era come se, il nostro abbigliamento fosse di circa 3 anni di anticipo, sai degli Stati Uniti. Poi ci siamo tornati e il nostro abbigliamento era più avanti di tutti. Poi ci hanno raggiunti circa 3 anni dopo.
M : Non è strano?
G : Sì, è stato (ride ) È stato strano.
M : Ci sei stata bene (I) ?
G : Sì, ciao? (Ride)
M : buono, (I) Gutt ?
G: E 'stato molto piacevole, molto rilassante (romantico?)
M : Davvero?
G: (ride)
M: hai visto la cartolina che ho inviato a Sam ?
Glenda : Sì. Era molto dolce. Gli è piaciuta.
Michael: (non udibile) [Era buono con me ?]
Glenda : Beh sì, non hai parlato con lui nel tempo. E' stato via molto, però. Se n'è andato ogni notte.
Michael: (I) Sì, amo [stare lontano dagli Stati Uniti] (rido)
Glenda : Davvero?
M : Sì (ride) (I) Lo sai che cosa è davvero strano ? Te lo dico (ho sentito delle scariche)
Glenda : Okay .
Michael: Ieri e oggi, sia sulla sommità della testa che sul lato destro
G : Sì
M: Sento un dolore molto acuto e vanno via. Ed è stato un dolore veramente, veramente forte.
Glenda : Le hai mai avute prima?
Michael: No. No, non ho ... Voglio dire, le ho avute prima, questa sera e dopo [come ieri]
Glenda : Forse sei solo stanco
Michael: Non le ho mai avute prima.
G : Mai ?
M: No, no. Ma poi se ne vanno. Ma sono veri dolori acuti, così come sulla parte superiore della mia testa sul lato destro.
Glenda : Oh.
Glenda e Michael : (non udibile, ich?) Mai avute, mai avute.
Glenda : Stai prendendo la tua medicina?
Michael: Yeah .
Glenda : Stai mangiando?
Michael: ...Yeah.
Glenda : (ride)
Michael: Abbiamo preso questa cosa, è un (non udibile). Li abbiamo presi a Londra (lui lo pronuncia così british, è carino), io no, io non l'ho assaggiato - EAGHH. In realtà, quando l'ho sentito, l'ho sentito molto tempo fa. Hai visto il film King Ralph?
Glenda : No.
Michael : C'era questo dolce a Londra che si chiama Spotted *dick* (per i pochi che non lo sapessero "dick" in inglese sta per... organo sessuale maschile che fa rima con mazzo! E spotted vuol dire chiazzato, macchiato, maculato... per cui abbiate pietà se lo lascio in inglese!)
Michael e Glenda : (entrambi ridono)
Michael: Sembra buono.
Glenda : Sembra terribile! (Ride)
M: (ripete accento britannico ) "Gradiresti uno spotted dick?"
G : (ride) E' divertente
M: (ride) "Vuoi uno spotty dick?"
G : Sembra interessante.
M: Non credo proprio.
M & G ridono