Lionel Richie: Michael still casts a spell

Lionel Richie, the 59-year-old American Black singer, is currently busy touring to promote his new album, “Just Go.” In a fresh interview, he said: "I went to a concert by the Jackson Five and saw Michael Jackson walking on stage with his brothers, with no money in their pockets. They performed for an hour and ten minutes, and then walked off the stage with $200,000." Years later, in 1985, Michael and Lionel made the song We Are The World to help victims of famine in Ethiopia and Sudan, and since then they have been good friends. Michael is also the godfather of Nicole, the girl Lionel adopted. "These days, since he’s become Dad Jackson, I talk to him more. He calls me and asks for help with the kids. So these days, more than ever before, I talk to him. And I’m happy about that because I need to bring him back to what he’s best at—performing on stage." Lionel Richie is happy that the King of Pop has sold out all 50 of his concerts in London. "I work with the concert group. I’m with him." "I told him that nobody in our profession has died from leaving the stage. Showmen always disappeared because of things that happened off stage. Whatever problems I’ve had in my life, when I get on stage, for two hours—even if only for two hours—I get rid of those problems. I really think the only thing Michael has to do is remember this again, and maybe it will take five or six concerts. But he is the most energetic showman of our time, and for him, not being on stage is a crime." When asked whether Michael still has the Moonwalk magic, Lionel said: "The last time I saw him, yes, of course he did. He isn’t 25 or 30 years old anymore, so he has to accept truths about himself that he previously avoided accepting. What he has is a huge collection of amazing songs. He just has to keep in mind that we showmen go on stage because people want to see us performing those songs. Whether it’s Moonwalk, Skywalk, or sliding across the stage everywhere—those are just extra decorations. The most important thing is raising the microphone and singing Thriller. That’s the only thing that matters. "From an artist’s point of view, staying away from the stage for a long time brings insecurity. Even for me, who was away from the stage for only a year and a half, there’s a bit of unease and worry, and I tell myself, ‘You know what you’re doing, right?’ Michael has been away from the stage much more than I have, so he’ll be a bit nervous and anxious. But if I have to drag him onto the stage, I’ll do it." Source: eMJey / Walesonline