Michael Jackson: Entertainer for the Ages

Michael Jackson's true genius may not be known for years to come. He was not only a once in a lifetime performer he was an entertainer for the ages.

When Michael Jackson first auditioned for Berry Gordy of Motown Records with his brothers in the late 1960's, it was immediately apparent to the record producer that Jackson was a special talent.

Michael was only 10 years old at the time but his talent was obvious to everyone.

Many people in the Motown family dubbed Michael the modern version of Sammy Davis, another great child performer who became an entertainment legend as a singer, dancer and actor.

Michael Jackson was a rare individual. Blessed with the ability to dance and sing like a much older, seasoned veteran, he wowed crowds with his amazing talent.

In an interview with Larry King of CNN on an edition of the Larry King Live show broadcast shortly after Michael's death, when asked if Michael ever had any dancing or singing lessons, Jermaine Jackson, Michael's older brother said "No, it was all natural. Michael could see someone like James Brown doing a dance move and he could immediately imitate what they had done. His singing ability was all natural."

"He never had a lesson."

Michael Jackson later in his career proved that he could not only imitate others but that he was also an innovator of original dance moves. His premiere of the moon walk on Motown Records' 25^th Anniversary Television Special was a jaw dropping event, Thousands of viewers looked on in amazement as Michael glided across the floor backwards seeming to defy the rules of physics.

Michael's singing ability was simply awe-inspiring. His vocal range and voice quality were far beyond anything that anyone his age should have had. Jackson could sing different styles of music with the emotional depth of someone much older.

From pop to blues. From up tempo to slow ballads, Michael Jackson could not only sing the words but he could sing them with feeling.

His soulful crooning of "I Wonder Who's Loving You" is a classic. And Michael was still an adolescent when he sang the song.

Truly Michael Jackson was a talent that only came along once in a lifetime and this writer is glad that he came along in mine.

http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20287787_20287806_20638914,00.html

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/28852267