The Greatest STAR Motown Produced!

[marv2]

It's been quite a year. I noticed that we've hardly, if ever discussed the music of Motown's Greatest Star..................Michael Jackson! Here is one of my favorites from the latter portion of his career:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJL6nfu__Q

[soulster]

Interesting how this fact has been ignored on this forum.

[midnightman]

Oh you know why it's been ignored... lol

But I do agree. Definitely the greatest star the label produced.

[marv2]

Interesting how this fact has been ignored on this forum.

Totally! It is almost embarrassing when you consider Michael's considerable contributions to American Music in general!

[marv2]

Oh you know why it's been ignored... lol

But I do agree. Definitely the greatest star the label produced.

Because he did not wear wigs and sequined gowns?

[marv2]

This is one of my all time favorites of Michael's. One that let me know he was headed for long term, major stardom:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7btBVIusyI

[midnightman]

Because he did not wear wigs and sequined gowns?

Oh snap! LOL

Here was my favorite Motown MJ song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQMrhu7eIU

[marv2]

Oh snap! LOL

Here was my favorite Motown MJ song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQMrhu7eIU

Midnightman that was a JAM! That's one of the ones we would play over and over!

[marv2]

This is from the time when we all wanted to sing and dance like Michael Jackson....at least us kids that were around in 1972! LOL!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFL_gYXE6Rk

[marv2]

Whoever were the musicians on the above track should have earned Grammys for their work! Just spectacular.

[midnightman]

I loved that track... I also love the live versions lol

[marv2]

I loved that track... I also love the live versions lol


You know Michael Jackson always struck me as the kind of artist that the producers would sometimes let sing a song his way without a lot of heavy direction. He was just that naturally talented.

[marv2]

Wasn't this one of the most expensive videos made?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc

[Ngroove]

As I might have mentioned before, the Motown MJ [[1968-1975, the Wiz, 1978, plus One Day in Your Life / Farewell My Summer Love, although the latter two were originally recordings 1973-1975 anyways), the Michael Jackson I love best.

So innocent, ahead of his years, and yes, even soulful. Really, had he stopped there, he still woulda been top-class tier name in music.

Favorites that mighta influenced that:

"Girl Don't Take Your Love Away From Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgxZTVP1OSI

"Cinderella Stay Awhile"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpmEN-MvO1o

"When I Come of Age"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MdS10m5sr0

[marv2]

As I might have mentioned before, the Motown MJ [[1968-1975, the Wiz, 1978, plus One Day in Your Life / Farewell My Summer Love, although the latter two were originally recordings 1973-1975 anyways), the Michael Jackson I love best.

So innocent, ahead of his years, and yes, even soulful. Really, had he stopped there, he still woulda been top-class tier name in music.

Favorites that mighta influenced that:

"Girl Don't Take Your Love Away From Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgxZTVP1OSI

"Cinderella Stay Awhile"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpmEN-MvO1o

"When I Come of Age"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MdS10m5sr0

Good choices NGroove, but why do you say if he had stopped there?

[Ngroove]

Good choices NGroove, but why do you say if he had stopped there?

His years in EPIC, yes, made him more of a Superstar - just saying, his and his brothers' years at Motown - already made him a top brass name, the early-mid seventies, either way, that legacy alone.

[marv2]

His years in EPIC, yes, made him more of a Superstar - just saying, his and his brothers' years at Motown - already made him a top brass name, the early-mid seventies, either way, that legacy alone.

I understand what you are saying. Some people handle the fact that he had so much money. I think his last 10 years phenomenal even though it was sort of hit and miss when it came to his recordings.

[daddyacey]

"Some people handle the fact that he had so much money."

He earned it honestly though. He was worth every cent.

[marv2]

"Some people handle the fact that he had so much money."

He earned it honestly though. He was worth every cent.

I meant to say that some people could NOT handle the fact that he had so much money. Daddy, you are so right! That still did not matter, Michael had become very powerful even if it was off of his own talent and hard work. He owned the Beatles catalog mind you. Wow! He could have started his own major recording company....empire [[no pun intended).

[daddyacey]

​I know what you meant marv. That's cool.

[jillfoster]

Yes, absolutely the biggest star to ever record for Motown. So much talent, so sad also, that he had so many emotional problems. Sure made some great song, though. This is my favorite!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMk_cEdyjQo

[soulster]

This is the song on the "B" side of "Got To Be There" that made me realize just how serious this kid was:

https://youtu.be/hYLayg6Fv7E

Interesting: the video isn't showing up directly on here.

[Ngroove]

I meant to say that some people could NOT handle the fact that he had so much money. Daddy, you are so right! That still did not matter, Michael had become very powerful even if it was off of his own talent and hard work. He owned the Beatles catalog mind you. Wow! He could have started his own major recording company....empire [[no pun intended).

Well, at least this bore from it...while it lasted...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKNa4W5drL8

[marv2]

​I know what you meant marv. That's cool.

Thanks Daddy

[marv2]

Yes, absolutely the biggest star to ever record for Motown. So much talent, so sad also, that he had so many emotional problems. Sure made some great song, though. This is my favorite!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMk_cEdyjQo

Another good one Jill! You are right. Mike had his share of problems, but what true artist doesn't. Many of his though were forced on him because of his fame.

[marv2]

This is the song on the "B" side of "Got To Be There" that made me realize just how serious this kid was:

https://youtu.be/hYLayg6Fv7E

Interesting: the video isn't showing up directly on here.

Oh shit that one's is almost just too good that I cannot listen to it! Was he really a child, ever? LOL! Michael Jackson Sings the Blues!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLayg6Fv7E&feature=youtu.be

[Ngroove]

...But, back to Motown, anybody cracked up, when it had a couple cameos, in an episode of "the Jeffersons"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0WlvpTKn_4

[marv2]

Well, at least this bore from it...while it lasted...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKNa4W5drL8

Didn't Michael discover them?

[marv2]

Isn't funny how a lot of people, certain people latched onto him when he was at the height of his fame, but when the troubles started they could not be found anywhere around him?

[midnightman]

^^ I think someone else discovered them and introduced them to MJ and he liked how they sounded so they got signed. Brownstone was probably the most successful act on the label.

[midnightman]

Isn't funny how a lot of people, certain people latched onto him when he was at the height of his fame, but when the troubles started they could not be found anywhere around him?

They were fake friends.

[lakedistrictlad1]

]Because he did not wear wigs and sequined gowns?[/QUOTE]

I'm sure he did from time to time....

[midnightman]

You know Michael Jackson always struck me as the kind of artist that the producers would sometimes let sing a song his way without a lot of heavy direction. He was just that naturally talented.

Yeah. I have to agree, he was a rarity in the business because of that...

[midnightman]

I'm sure he did from time to time....

Don't start...

[BayouMotownMan]

I rarely post anymore but I have to disagree here.

I'll go with Diana Ross, when one considers:

MJ achieved his greatest success long after he left Motown, as did Gladys Knight and The Spinners. None of his music had any resemblance to the Motown hits.

Diana Ross however stayed at Motown far longer and never could match her success there anywhere else. She made several attempts to imitate the classic Motown sound [[Chain Reaction, Let's Go Up) but really had no success. Like Mary Wells, she had that Motown stamp on her that prevented success anywhere else. At RCA she had hit records the first few years but that's because she left Motown as a white-hot artist. It seems no producer in the world could get a hit on Ross after 1985. Likewise with Mary Wells, her first 20th Century lp and many of her later recordings [[Dear Lover, These Arms) had a heavy Motown influence but the record buying public knew these were imitations.

[soulster]

]Because he did not wear wigs and sequined gowns?

I'm sure he did from time to time....[/QUOTE]

You're kidding, of course. You'd better be!

[marv2]

They were fake friends.

with a bunch of excuses I am sure.

[marv2]

I'm sure he did from time to time....

You're kidding, of course. You'd better be![/QUOTE]

Whether he is or not makes me think of one reason some people don't discuss or appreciate all the great music or Michael's extraordinary talent. This American culture is so caught up in a tabloid mentality that they overlook the truly important things.

[detmotownguy]

Yeah. I have to agree, he was a rarity in the business because of that...
you guys are right he was an absolute natural and and didn't need to be told what to do. I think he did a bang up job on love is here now you're gone. An extremely versatile performer. he can never be called lazy .

[marv2]

you guys are right he was an absolute natural and and didn't need to be told what to do. I think he did a bang up job on love is here now you're gone. An extremely versatile performer. he can never be called lazy .

Keep in mind, Michael not only sang, but he wrote, produced and arrange many of his own songs. He developed his own often copied choreography. He had a central role in creating his BRAND! Other artists practically begged to work with him, to produce them!

[sansradio]

...But, back to Motown, anybody cracked up, when it had a couple cameos, in an episode of "the Jeffersons"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0WlvpTKn_4

Oh, yes, Ngroove, the episode where George goes disco-crazy! Weezy sings it in exasperation.:D

[detmotownguy]

Keep in mind, Michael not only sang, but he wrote, produced and arrange many of his own songs. He developed his own often copied choreography. He had a central role in creating his BRAND! Other artists practically begged to work with him, to produce them!

I was just going tosay he was his own brand and not to be duplicated. his impact was was huge. His music dominated house parties and weddings. Thriller was a staple in the bars in Detroit. dit seems he treated everyone fairly. didn't mary Wilson's kids hang around with him?

[marv2]

I was just going tosay he was his own brand and not to be duplicated. his impact was was huge. His music dominated house parties and weddings. Thriller was a staple in the bars in Detroit. dit seems he treated everyone fairly. didn't mary Wilson's kids hang around with him?

Yes he invited the younger ones to the Victory Tour and when he was younger he was buddies with Mary's oldest, Willie.

[midnightman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xw0kEd6g7k

[marv2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xw0kEd6g7k

I don't remember seeing that one before. Thanks Midnightman!

[midnightman]

You're welcome, marv. :)

[REDHOT]

For me it would be Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye,just look at they're Musical history,Songs In The Keys Of Life,and What's Going On,just these 2 album's alone,says it all,i'm not saying Michael Jackson is not one of the great's,i'm just saying,for me it's Stevie and Marvin,at the top of the list.