Book Review: Man in the Music

It feels good to have completed the book “Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson” by Joseph Vogel and the forward by Anthony DeCurtis. The book was published in 2011. I purchased this book at Livingston Mall's Barnes and Noble for $24.95. I feel as though I completed it too fast. Well, it took about a month to read in between my busy schedule. Once I started reading the novel, I hated to put it down. It is a very well written and entertaining piece of literature. This book was not your ordinary biography of Michael Jackson, this book explored and went in depth about his more creative and visionary side. This showed how his music evolved with changes in his life, social change, and the musical evolution going on around him.



The book is broken down into eight chapters and it is about 269 pages. It includes numerous color photos throughout the book. Each chapter is named after each of Michael’s major solo albums starting with Off the Wall. The last chapter however is called “The Final Years” which still seems unreal to see knowing he has passed on. There is an introduction and that is what will drawn you into the book because it explains how Michael is very passionate about his craft and how he used it to make change and bring people together. People overseas didn’t even know who our American presidents were but they knew Michael Jackson, which is a point mentioned in the book. From his music with the Jackson 5 up until recent times his music is still remains a powerful influence to the world.



Michael was very dedicated to making great music, but the fact that he made history while doing so makes him a historic powerful figure. Breaking down racial barriers, with his video “Thriller” premiering on MTV as the first African American to do so to social barriers, with his song “The Girl is Mine” bringing interracial love to the mainstream with Michael and Paul McCartney feuding over the same woman. This book goes into great lengths to show how Michael was a musical genius.



The breakdown of each album not only talked about each album but what was happening in Michael’s life and around the world at those particular times. Michael’s music had to adjust and evolve to keep his fan base and to stay on top of his game. I even noticed how his music had to change because of the changes in his life from the accusations to the lack of privacy; his music became a bit more aggressive. He even brought more political and social issues to the forefront.



This is a very informative book as it breaks down each album or era of Michael’s career and breaks down each song at the end of each chapter. It also mentions songs from that era that were also unreleased. So if you want to learn more about Michael’s music and his creative mind, this book is great. It’s not a direct biography but it has major points in his life that affected his career. I would love to say more but I suggest you check this book out. I definitely give it a high rating.

The Jacksons: Unity Tour 2012

6/28/12
Thursday June 28th, I had the experience of a lifetime. I had the chance to see the Jacksons (Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Jackie) perform live at the Apollo Theatre in New York City for their Unity Tour. It was their first tour since their Victory Tour in 1984 which included all of the brothers and their first tour without their brother Michael. Randy was not a part of the tour, as well.



I was able to actually meet and greet the Jacksons with my ticket upgrade. I was so excited to meet them. I wore my red “Beat It” jacket, white v-neck and black bucket pants. I dressed as Mikette for the occasion. I was nervous as I approached them all lined up for their hand shake and photo opportunity. Some of my friends were also in line nervous as well. The looks on their face as I approached them were surprising. They loved how I dressed as their brother Michael. They even mentioned that I looked so much like him and how amazing I looked. Of course, I blushed and say thank you. As I greeted them I almost forgot Jackie’s name and still couldn’t say it right. He was my second favorite after Michael that I truly adored. Just know I was going to be in the center and he was to my left with his arm around me, made me tense up inside. They were all so beautiful in person inside and out. I fell in love with all of their smiles and soft voices. This was also my second time meeting Jermaine, the first time being at his book signing in September 2011, and he remembered me.



After the meet-up, it was time for the show to begin. Even though I sat in the third level, it was still great seats and I truly enjoyed the show. They opened up with “Can You Feel It” and from that point on, they brought the house down. I danced and sang along to their set list that mainly consisted of their hits from their Jackson 5 days. They also sang so of Michael’s songs as well. I love how they paid tribute to their brother by showing his photos on a projector screen as they sang “Gone Too Soon.” I was in tears along with my friend Shanda who sat next to me. They really performed to their best vocally and performance wise. They danced and made the crowd go wild. I was on my feet dancing like there was no tomorrow. I truly loved how they looked as if they were having a great time together and showed what the name of the tour was, and that is unity. I wish I was able to see them at least one more time. I will always remember that day forever, and my love for the Jackson family will never die.

Here are just a few of many photos I took.






This photo, even though I can't find a larger version, reminds me of my photo with the brothers. Only instead of Randy, it is Jermaine in my photo.

Candlelight Vigil for Michael Jackson 2012

6/25/12
Sometimes I still find it hard to believe Michael Jackson is gone, especially since it has been three years already. It is all a blur how fast time has went by but the painful memory follows me like it happened yesterday. Being that my heart aches thinking about him leaving us, I still know that I have a strong MJ family that sticks together.





Like last June 25th, the group, Michael Jackson Fans of New York City, hosted their annual candlelight vigil at the Apollo Theater. The candles were arranged around Michael's ground placard outside the legendary Apollo Theater, where it all began for Michael Jackson and his brothers as the Jackson 5. There were fans from all over. We sang and danced to his music. Many people, like myself, dressed like Michael. My friends Shauna and Lamar joined me on this adventure.