Michael on His 50th Birthday: “I Feel Young”
On the occasion of the arrival of his 50th birthday, Michael Jackson spoke in an exclusive interview with the TV show “Good Morning America” about the past, the future, and the wishes he has in mind for his children.
When he was a little boy, he became a star. He went through immense fame, rumors, and legal trials—and now, when he turns 50, Michael Jackson tells “Good Morning America” that he’s having an amazing time and is enjoying his rest.
The pop music icon speaks to us from his home in California by phone about his music career, his children, and his future plans, and his voice is sometimes barely audible. Jackson said he listens to James Brown and is getting ready to celebrate his 50th birthday on Friday. The day he celebrates—before going to work—he will mark his birthday only with a small cake with his children and perhaps by watching a few cartoons.
Does turning 50 mean he has the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) card?
Jackson answers with a laugh: “I don’t know anything about that!”
He said he can still do all of his famous dance moves, and he’s even added more. “I feel like I’ve become very wise and knowledgeable, but at the same time I feel young.”
Jackson said that the period of making his extremely successful solo albums—“Off the Wall” in 1979 and “Thriller” in 1982—were probably the happiest moments of his life. These albums, along with a collection of very successful and popular singles and music videos, and his first Moonwalk performance in 1983—which became his signature dance move—took him to the peak of fame.
“These things meant a lot to me, and it seemed like people all over the world really welcomed them. I really enjoyed all of that.”
We asked him to introduce one of his singles as the biggest achievement of his career. Jackson went back to that era.
“Oh boy, that’s a tough question.” And he continued: “We Are the World, Billie Jean, Thriller.”
But he didn’t pay attention to other signs of his honors and said, “I’m still eagerly waiting to do a lot of huge things.”
He hopes to release a new album and go on tour, though he hasn’t set a date yet.
“I’m always busy writing. I love making music and all of it. But I also take care of the kids, and that’s fun for me. I teach them how to ride bikes, and I practice reading and writing with them. I love doing that.”
He said he wants to be “himself” in his future work. But many great artists have inspired him. He also wished he could have worked with James Brown or Fred Staire. He sees the impact of his work in today’s young artists, and he especially mentions Chris Brown.
He said he sacrificed his childhood with a lot of work and gave up his life for his career. But if he were born again, he would do the same thing.
“I think I would do the same. It was really worth it. I’ve always loved performing, and I’ve always enjoyed bringing joy to people through that. I love music festivals, dancing, and art. I really love it.”
In response to the question of whether he would like his two sons and his one daughter to enter the path he walked, he said he would prefer to let them enjoy their childhood as much as possible.
“I let them go to the mall and the cinema and do things. I want them to have the chance to do things I couldn’t do when I was a kid. That way, I fill their time with lots of joys and fun activities. You know, when I see them happy, I get emotional. When they play and scream with joy… it makes me emotional. Because I see that they’re really having a good time.”
Jackson said his children love music and are very interested in the arts, but… “I don’t force anything on them.”
If he could go back to the past—back to when he was 9 or 10 years old, the age his oldest child is now—he would advise himself: “If you decide to go into this, commit yourself to doing it, know your craft, and really get involved in your work.” He told himself to be strong and have the hide of a rhinoceros in the face of the pressure of fame.
Probably after years of resisting controversies, Jackson has learned how to be thick-skinned.
Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary—a city full of sand and gravel in the state of California—Jackson managed fame well as the youngest member of the Jackson 5 music group.
The group released its first single with Motown in 1969, when Jackson was 11 years old, and in the early 1970s he was thrilled by the consecutive success of his songs.
The group was later known as the Jacksons, and Jackson himself, as a child artist and actor, released successful and popular solo songs. His music career as an adult peaked with the album Off the Wall, and ultimately he became such a super-star that he earned the title “King of Pop.”
Source: eMJey / Good Morning America, ABC News