My review of 'Genius Without Borders: The Genius Of Michael Jackson' in Chicago. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Hey you guys! I wanted to write my review of this amazing event that I attended at the Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago. I definitely enjoyed this fantastic event! I want to send a big congratulations to Dr. Monica Hairston O'Connell for making this event spectacular.



The event started where Ed Eckstein, who became the 1st African-American to be president of a major non-black owned record company to address his audience about when he was a 11 year old boy, he heard the 1st time the Jackson 5 song 'I Want You Back' was played on the radio. Eckstein also stated that he attended The Forum in 1970 and saw the Jackson 5 performed to a sold out crowd, and girls were rushing the stage. He called the 'boys from Gary, Indiana' the 'Black Beatles!'



Harry Weinger, who is Vice President Of A&R for Universal Music Enterprises, was telling the audience of the catalogs of Motown Records and unreleased material of the Jackson 5. Weinger played an unreleased song from Michael titled 'Love Trip', which was recorded by Diana Ross And The Supremes, and towards the end of the song, Michael's vocals was pure perfection at the age of 11. Weinger also told when J5 were at The Forum in Ingelwood, CA, they were paid $20,000 for that one night, which was top dollars at that time. He also stated when the J5 ended the song 'I Want You Back,' Michael said to the sound engineers to fix the amps. At the age of 11, he handled it like a professional and made the audience realized he was a stage veteran. Finally, Weinger played the acapella version of 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and Michael's vocals was just amazing.



Then, Eckstein introduced the three panels guests. Ricky Lawson, who was the drummer for Michael's 'Bad' and 'Dangerous' World Tour; Greg Phillinganes, who helped produced The Jacksons' 'Destiny,' 'Triumph,' and 'Victory' albums. He was the musical director for The Jacksons' 'Victory Tour' in 1984, Michael's 'Bad' and 'Dangerous' World Tour. And, @SiedahGarrett who wrote Michael's 'Man In The Mirror' and did a duet with Michael for 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' in 1987, had a standing ovation. They even played the classic music video with Dennis Edwards, 'Don't Look Any Further.'



Eckstein asked Lawson, Phillinganes, and Garrett about working with Michael, and their answers were straight and represented integrity of Michael's legacy in music. Lawson said that during the 'Bad' and 'Dangerous' World Tour, his band were trying to be 2/3 steps ahead of Michael; and to always work with instincts and always trying. Phillinganes was discussing the demos that Rod Temperton of Heatwave was making for Michael's 'Off The Wall' and 'Thriller' and were legends. He also said that when talking to Michael, he was painfully shy, because Michael was chased by girls since the age of 11. He stated that during the recording of 'She's Out Of My Life,' Michael cried. Phillinganes also stated that Michael never played an instrument, but he did see Michael play drums during The Jacksons' 'Destiny' album. He also said to the audience that when they hear an acapella version of 'Rock With You,' during the 'and when the groove is dead and gone,' Michael was snapping his fingers. And, when Michael was recording 'Leave Me Alone' for the 'Bad' album, Michael liked static during the beginning of the songs. Garrett started discussing how she met Michael in 1987 for the duet 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' and how she came up with the classic song, 'Man In The Mirror.' She was too hilarious and a diva, but she was amazing!



I asked @SiedahGarrett a question on advice for up and coming songwriters. She stated, 'Be persistent and always keep auditioning.' She even asked me how old I was, I told her 'I'm 25 years old,' and she said 'I feel old!' LOL Then, a 79 year old Black man who's birthday was on June 25th, read a short poem titled 'Oh Michael Boy' and received a standing ovation, because it was emotional. Then, Garrett along with Phillinganes and Lawson performed 'Man In The Mirror' and it was fantastic!



I enjoyed this event! When I came home, I saw a full moon and a shining star, and said to that star, 'Thank you Michael for being an inspiration and an influence in my life.'



- Jeremy

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