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"Right On!" Magazine Interview

"Right On!" Magazine (October 1972)

I really like it when I can just go out by myself and walk around without security guards and stuff. I can walk to the store here near my house, but anytime I go somewhere else I have to have some kind of security. It's nice just to be able to go out and get lost in a crowd. However...

...it's also true that I kinda like the idea of girls trying to get to me! I think about girls, but I don't go out with them yet because I'm too young. My brothers do though. Sometimes girls will find out where I live and come to see me at the gate in front of our house. They want photographs and autographs and stuff like that. I give them what they want and they leave. I have to. After all, *they* buy my records! But it makes me feel good to know they like me enough to wait outside like that.

I love the whole thing my brothers and I have been going through. I like traveling, staying at hotels, meeting different people, flying. To me work is fun!

I love to meet people who are interesting. It's kind of a drag to always meet people who spend our whole time together talking about me! When I meet someone, well someone like "Right On!"'s photographer Kenny Lieu, who's from a different country like China. I really have a lot of questions to ask him! Why should we talk about me? He's probably more interesting. Everyone knows about my life!

Diana Ross makes me happy! She's still very involved in our career and visits us whenever she can. She's like a sister to us!

I dig messing around with my brothers. We have all the normal hassels and stuff, but we also have a good time... lots of times!

I really feel good after I've cut a good record--either by myself or with my brothers. It's just groovy to listen to the playback of something you've worked so hard or in the studio.

I also love it when the record I've cut turns out to be a big hit! Don't think I take it casually! The biggest moment of my life was when "I Want You Back" went to number one!

I love sports, team sports. When my brothers and friends and I play basketball or something--it really turns me on! I feel great!

I love drawing. I spend most of my weekly allowance for art supplies... and sometimes bubble gum too. Drawing is really fun. Lots of people don't think they can draw--and they can! Maybe they don't draw exactly like someone else draws, but so what? What's a good drawing? Sure, you have to practice, just like with music. But I understand how important practicing is now. My father used to make us practice our music every day after school back in Gary, Indiana. Maybe we didn't like it back then, but we understand it now. Watching yourself get better at something is a turn on--no matter what you're doing.