P.J. Proby on Michael Jackson

[Muffinman]

I found this quote given in an interview by P.J. Proby (long before Jackson's death)

"Michael Jackson is a shame to the black blues race. He can't sing as good as Ben E King or James Brown. He showed he could scream a little James Brown but that's it. He thinks he can dance like Gene Kelly. Who is he trying to kid with that moonwalk? I seen black guys doing that when I was seven years old. They'd be doing that in bar rooms with spit on the floor. They'd be on the street doing that, tap-dancing for me with dimes between their toes 'cos they couldn't afford tap shoes. Gimme Memphis Minnie or Blind Lemon. The real people. It took white boys to make John Lee Hooker famous. He never had a Cadillac when he was 40 years old. He got one now. I was on a TV bill once with Sonny Boy Williamson. That was the closest I got to those people."

Sometimes we prefer to go with the flow, convincing ourselves that we share popular opinion. It takes a brave man to stand against mass consensus like this.

[IdolLiesDroog2]

Whilst I admit I know nothing of the man - sounds like someone who was trying to ingratiate himself into the black music scene by publically praising obscure artists.

I don't understand this thing about comparing singers who are all obviously of the same high standard... how can you compare the actual sound james brown made to michael jackson, its not about that ultimately they were both amazing, so surely it comes down to preference eventually...

Ive never heard PJ Proby, but I'd hazard a guess he didn't have a fraction of the vocal range, ability or talent of MJ...not to forget dancing/songwriting to the same 'as-good-as-it-gets' standard.

[Muffinman]

"Ive never heard PJ Proby, but I'd hazard a guess he didn't have a fraction of the vocal range, ability or talent of MJ"

It seems you walked right into that. He has far too many demons, but PJ had as much vocal range, ability and talent as Elvis.

I've nothing much really to say about Michael Jackson, except that his fame, and the reams of newsprint since his death, far outweigh his talent.

Now Quincy Jones - he's a genius!

[IdolLiesDroog2]

I did walk into it, but quite aware I was probably(+hopefully) about to be educated.

Seeing as you don't appreciate MJ I won't comment much more, but forgetting things like popularity, sales, influence, cultural impact etc....in terms of raw TALENT MJ outweighed pretty much everyone.

I've said it before and I'll say it again....worldclass at 3 things - singing, dancing and songwriting. Name one other person who can be seen in that light?

[Muffinman]

For dancing, I'll take Fred Astaire - he sang well too. I'd rather watch Jimmy Cagney doing Yankee Doodle Dandy than watch Michael Jackson.

For singing, MJ wouldn't be in my top anything. There's Frank, of course. Then there's Sam Cooke, Al Green, Bobby Womack, Steve Winwood, Jackie Wilson.......David Gray's good.....and then there's the women - Aretha, Mama Cass, Karen Carpenter, Miriam Makeba, Piaf, and if Kathleen Ferrier doesn't make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, you're dead.

MJ had great luck with his producers - principally Quincy Jones. I don't know how much actual songwriting he did, or whether the studio wizards made the magic. Even so, I have never owned a Jackson record, and don't feel I've missed out on anything great.

[countb]

I recall PJ when he was touring the 3 Casinos in the NW.
HE ONCE TRIED TO ENTICE MY WIFE INTO HIS CADILLAC(AT FIRST I THOUGHT HE WAS STEVIE WONDER!!)
Seriously though,PJ was a talented performer and used to split his trousers for his gimmick on stage.
He moved into a district in Bolton with an underage girl and tried a comeback...but he couldnt remember words on stage.His music was good...just imagine if the Countess had got in his car.I would be free,free free LOL

[one eyed jack]

Ha ha thanks for colouring my day with that comment Reggie. Each to their own.

I doubt a man could create mass hysteria on hype alone. he had to do something to create that hype.

Having seen the guy live on tour I thought this guy was from mars for how talented he was. yeah sure, he had the best technicians and sound engineers but then he was talented because he surrounded himself with the best people.

Te guy was consistent fo rmany years and lost his footing when the child abuse allegations came in then we saw a darker (pardon the pun) Michael Jackson.

I guess it was hard to keep the rose coloured specs on when you have so much shit levelled at you and you realise how shit some people are when you have a pile of money.

[Muffinman]

PJ Proby created mass hysteria with his talent long before there was anything much in sound technology to help things along. He had girls throwing their knickers at him long before Tom Jones.

Good story, countb.

[Muffinman]

"He moved into a district in Bolton with an underage girl and tried a comeback"

It must have been Farnworth, surely? Home of the late, great, Hylda Baker. Got to go out now. It's nearly half past .....ooh, I must get a little hand put on this watch.