Reading Michael Jackson

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we kick off with a brief reflection on the changing discourse around Michael Jackson's innocence in light of current events. While Michael's image has been attacked for decades, social media is moving the public toward a more positive view of Michael. We can only hope that this trend is not short-lived, and the public continues to become more educated on Michael, including by continuing to learn his story in his own words. This week, we wrap up Chapter 3 of Moonwalk with Michael telling us about his experience working on The Wiz, falling in love with film, and meeting Quincy Jones. While this is a shorter section, there is still plenty to talk about! Michael's relationships with Stephanie Mills and Diana Ross, the pressures he faced as the creative force behind his family, and his drive to "transform" just beginning to manifest. For questions or comments email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

In this special Valentine's Day bonus episode we are reflecting on the full length of Michael's career through the many love songs he released throughout his lifetime! Join me for this career retrospective including clips of his hits, demo recordings, live performances, and deep cuts, lyrical analysis, and the non-stop intensity of what it means to be a female Michael Jackson fan. This episode is a break from our current season so sit back, relax, get comfortable, and get cozy as we indulge in all things Michael Jackson and L.O.V.E!For questions or comments email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com Links to some of the songs, performances, and interviews mentioned in today's episode!Interview with Marsha Ambrosius (Butterflies songwriter): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TiZp9FXsMDemo for "In the Closet": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLJy5FHW-tUMama's Pearl Live in Indiana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjT7TrwNyMwDream Away Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc958VceWCo

In this week's episode of Reading Michael Jackson we start with a brief discussion about the value of studying The Jackson 5 and The Jacksons discography for all Michael Jackson fans, before finishing our read of Chapter 3 of Moonwalk. In this segment, Michael tells the story of the Jacksons initial transition away from Motown including the emotional struggle with losing Jermaine as a member of the group and establishing their own sound as the new rebranded "Jacksons." Michael shares what he learned from working on the Jackson's Variety TV show, collaborating with producers Gamble and Huff, before finally seeking permission from the Epic for the Jackson to produce their own album. In the discussion portion, we reflect on Michael's very intentional approach to his own celebrity and the driving philosophy that too much accessibility to your audience will lead to over-exposure. These insights are significant in how we can understand Michael's later relationship to fame. We also review Michael's early relationship to songwriting and vulnerability in music, and more!For questions or comments please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

Michael Jackson doesn't understand why the media write such negative things about him, but in Chapter 3 of Moonwalk he offers some of his own perspective on his volatile relationship with the press. Reflecting on his feelings about scandal and drug use, he makes a clear statement here about his future, and how he thinks he "turned out" given his upbringing as a child star. He spends the rest of the chapter telling the story of how the Jackson 5 rose to success, but ultimately left Motown in pursuit of creative freedom. In the discussion portion of this episode, we get deep discussing Michael's relationship to the media, the modern fandom's view of his changing aesthetics, the evolution of his relationship to drugs, and of course his artistic growth as. a child performer when he popularized "the robot" with his choreography for "Dancing Machine." For questions or comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

This week, we close out chapter 2 with Michael sharing details of his life in the studio and on the road with The Jackson 5, delving into details about his vocal stylings, recording songs like "ABC" and "I'll Be There," his relationship with his brothers, the fun and frustration of touring year round, and his physical insecurities as an adolescent. We discuss all of these points and then some, including Michael's challenged relationship with fame, his singular talent as a child, his personal sensitivity, and more. With clips from a live performance of "Who's Loving You" and Michael's 1983 interview with Entertainment Tonight, this episode is a bit longer than normal but packed with deep discussion! The Jackson 5, "Who's Loving You" Live at the Forum 1972: https://youtu.be/VX6qbx4vGyw?si=gWu9szuc8T1radbxMichael's 1983 Entertainment Tonight Interview: https://youtu.be/z2WclC-UubY?si=cIzbSSTBTVSXabIZFor questions or comments please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

With the Jackson 5 officially signed to Motown, in the first half of Chapter 2 Michael recounts the early days of moving from Indiana to California, recording sessions, media training, and becoming a part of the "Corporation." Including snippets of an interview with Michael's former Victory-era publicist Howard Bloom, in the discussion we review Michael's unique connection to art, and his ability to "see the infinite" in everything. We also discuss the complications and confusion with Michael's relationship to Diana Ross and the struggle he must have experienced composing an autobiography aimed to tell the truth of his life, while still grappling with the truth he'd been brought up to believe. For questions, or comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

This week, as the opening chapter of "Moonwalk" draws to a close, we learn about the Jackson family's eager wait for their big break. Michael shares memories of his role as a big brother and his own memories of traveling to Detroit for the Jackson 5's 1968 Motown audition. In the discussion portion of this episode, we explore the dynamics of the Jackson family and the Jackson sisters' frustrations existing in the periphery of their brothers and the early responsibility Michael took on in order to understand the weight of a Motown audition. In discussing Michael's views on the great performers of this time, as well as cultural figures like Martin Luther King Jr., we also touch upon Michael's influence on music, popular culture, and the impact of his passing on the world. For questions or comments, please reach out to readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

In this third episode of Season 2, we dive deeper into Michael's childhood and early career, continuing our reading of "Moonwalk," pages 35-50. In this segment, Michael shares what it was like to work the night club scene in Gary and Chicago at the age of 9, recording with Steeletown Records, his early inspirations in James Brown and Jackie Wilson, and winning Amateur Night at the Apollo. In the emotional discussion portion of the episode, we review not only the highlights from this time in Michael's life, but the disturbing confessions Michael shares about his early exposure to adult sexuality in nightclubs, and the relentless work expected of him as a young child. Though Michael frames many of these experiences as necessary to his growth as a performer, for those of us with "normal" childhoods in comparison, deep empathy for Michael's unique life can help us understand his choices as he grew older, and the passion he had for protecting children. In this episode, I play a segment of the Jackson 5's first single, "Big Boy." If you are interested in listening to the full song, check out this link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiFN2DQqBFEFor questions and comments, please reach out to readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

This week, we continue our reading of Chapter 1 of "Moonwalk." Spanning from pages 21-35, this week's segment covers the earliest days of the Jackson 5, including the infamous "broken guitar string" story, Joseph Jackson's discipline, and the intensity of performing at such a young age. In the discussion portion of this episode, we dissect the complications of Michael writing and releasing a memoir about complicated family dynamics, his narrative of physical discipline and abuse, the hardships of performing at such a young age, and more. As Michael Jackson fans, knowing what we know about the pain Michael experienced as a child and how that impacted him throughout his life, if he had to do it all over again, would we choose this path for him? Does Michael's incredible success and impact justify the means through which he achieved it? For comments or questions, please feel free to email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

Today we are officially diving into Moonwalk! Starting with the touching forward by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, included in the original publication of Moonwalk, we begin Chapter 1, covering pages 1-21. In this section, Michael introduces himself, his family, and some of the challenges he has in telling this story. He not only identifies his earliest memories with music, but begins to explore the complicated relationship he had with his father, Joseph Jackson. Through this, he touches upon the scars he has from childhood, which remain a theme throughout Michael's life and central to how he tells his story. In the discussion portion of this episode, we explore Michael's approach to storytelling and forming a narrative, as well as the early normalization of hard work for Michael and his brothers, as well as the pain he experienced as a child. For questions or comments, please comment or email me directly at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

After a short hiatus, "Reading Michael Jackson" is back with Season 2! This time around, we are covering Michael Jackson's 1988 autobiography Moonwalk. Much like Season 1 which covered Michael's book of poetry and essays, "Dancing the Dream," each episode this season will contain a reading of a section of "Moonwalk," as well as a discussion of the contents. In preparation for the forthcoming biopic "Michael" (out April 24th), the goal of this season is to read and examine the way in which Michael himself chose to tell his life story, now that Michael's estate, family, and Hollywood executives will be recreating it on the big screen. Though this episode is technically serving as the premiere of Season 2, given the timing of the holiday season, as well as the content we are covering in this episode, this episode can be viewed as a "bonus." In this episode we will be covering my reasoning and decision for choosing "Moonwalk" as our focus, as well as a reading and discussion of the book's Afterword, written by one of Michael's editors, and the Forward written by Berry Gordy. By reading and discussing these materials, we are setting the foundation for understanding Michael's approach to writing this book, his process, and perhaps some of the pitfalls facing celebrity memoir in general. So while this could definitely be considered "bonus" content, if you want to be fully prepared to engage with the book starting next week, I recommend listening! From here forward, we will follow a tight schedule, with new episodes out each Tuesday leading up to the release of the biopic! So be sure to stay caught up this season!For any questions or feedback email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

We are back for season 2 of Reading Michael Jackson! This time around, we will be focusing on reading and discussing Michael's 1988 autobiography "Moonwalk." Each episode will feature a reading from the book followed by a discussion. Tune in with new episodes dropping on Tuesday December 30th!

After nearly a year, we have completed our full reading of "Dancing the Dream." Now comes the real question... as Michael Jackson fans what exactly do we make of this book? What was Michael's purpose in writing it and what role does it play in his overall legacy? Join me for one final discussion covering this tremendous collection. Starting with a reading of Michael's one and only interview in which he is interviewed, specifically, about "Dancing the Dream" (Chicago Tribune 1992), we will then briefly discussion Elizabeth Amisu's understanding of this work as outlined her book "The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson," followed by my own personal review. It has been an outstanding Season 1 of Reading Michael Jackson and I am so grateful for each and every one of you who has joined me along the way! Please be sure to follow the show closely so you don't miss the Season 2 trailer... it may be dropping sooner than you think!For questions or comments please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com!

In this final essay from Dancing the Dream, Michael interrogates his own relationship to the world around him, and what he “owes” other life forms on earth. While examining a famous photograph of a baby seal, he finds himself projecting his own feelings and views onto the seal, forcing him to question his role in the good and bad that happens in the natural world. As a thoughtful close to this book, "Look Again, Baby Seal" challenges all readers to consider what role they play in both the betterment and suffering of the modern world. Please tune in for next week's season 1 season finale episode! For questions or comments, email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

In this penultimate essay in Dancing the Dream, Michael writes from a place of intentional and intense self-reflection. "Mirroring" the themes from his song "Man in the Mirror," his essay "The One in the Mirror" takes the reflection a step further. Illustrating an internal battle between hope and cynicism, in this piece Michael literally argues with himself about his responsibility to the world as a person largely shielded from its suffering, while still deeply impacted by it. For me, this is one of the strongest pieces in the book that offers more than a purely idealistic view into the genuine struggle to show up for others, when it would be much easier to turn away. The interview featured in this episode is from the 1987 interview with Ebony Jet. For questions and comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

As we grow closer to the end of Dancing the Dream, the many themes and personal philosophies Michael Jackson explored throughout the book become all the more clear. With two more short essays to go, this final "poetic" piece "Quantum Leap" features Michael urging us to, once again, take action in shifting our own world view for a more spiritually fulfilling life in which we can contribute to a more "utopian" existence for all. In this discussion, I identify several similar themes, even phrases, from previous pieces in the book, as well as new messages Michael is cementing for us. For questions or comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

Throughout Dancing the Dream, Michael has explored the topics of a "universal oneness" and the ever presence of Heaven all around us. But perhaps no more directly does he do this than in this week's piece. In his poem, "Heaven is Here," Michael embodies a kind of spiritual mentor to his readers, offering wisdom and certainty for us to contend with in the face of our own doubts. Listen this week for an in-depth discussion of not only this piece, but Michael's orientation toward spirituality and mindfulness in general. For questions or comments, please email readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

In his poem “Once We Were There,” Michael is both separatist and invitational. In what could be seen as a thematic continuation of last week’s “Breaking Free,” in this piece Michael paints a picture of what we were “before” human existence” and what we can do now that we find ourselves here. Join for a heartfelt discussion of healing, acceptance, and recovering from the daily struggle of being human. For questions or comments, email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.

This week, we review one of the shortest pieces from Dancing the Dream. In just eight lines, his poem "Breaking Free" explores the meaninglessness of time and the constraints we live in as human beings, so often afraid of taking chances. But in addition to a reading and analysis of "Breaking Free," this week's episode also features a deep and honest conversation about Michael's right to privacy, self-protection, and the recognition that, as fans, we can (and should) only have so much access to his inner world. Through a brief discussion of his song "Morphine," I open up about my own struggles to understand Michael while recognizing I may never truly be able to. For questions and comments, please feel free to email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com

This week, Michael asks us an important question: Are we listening? But what exactly is it he wants us to hear? Following a first-person omniscient narrator, in his poem "Are You Listening?" Michael explores themes of immortality, limitlessness, and spiritual ascension. But is the answer to all life's big questions as simple as he suggests? What can we take from this piece in our understanding not only of who Michael Jackson was, but who any of us are in the grand scheme of existence? For questions or comments, please feel free to email me at readingmichaeljackson@yahoo.com.