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"Tiger Beat" Magazine Interview

Date range assessed by the fact that Michael had finished recording (“while I was doing the [solo] album”), the album of which was released on January 24, 1972; Jermaine was “doing his own album”, which released on July 14, 1972, so it would have occurred between these two dates.

“Tiger Beat” magazine, Sharon Lee, "Just Rappin'..." (archived)

You can't imagine all the excitement when Michael Jackson of the fantastic Jackson-5 dropped by the office! He sat around Editor Sharon Lee's office just talking and passing the time and Sharon would like to share a few of his thoughts with YOU!

Sharon: Michael, do you ever think about writing any song or have you written any that have been recorded or will be?

Michael: I've written a song that's going to be recorded soon called "Got To Be With You".

Sharon: Do you think the J-5 are going to change a lot in their music because you're all starting to write now and you're getting more involved in the music part of it?

Michael: Yeah, we're learning more, but, like, the way we're doing it isn't going to change. We're learning more but it's not going to change.

Sharon: The solo album, how does that affect what's going to happen now? Everybody's writing in saying, "Is Michael leaving the group? Is someone taking his place?" What's happening with all that?

Michael: It has nothing to do with splitting up because while I was doing the album, everybody was there listening. And as a matter of fact, Jermaine is doing his own album, Tito's doing his own thing, Jackie's doing his thing and Marlon's doing his. This has nothing to do with breaking up.

Sharon: What about your girlfriends? Haven't they changed?

Michael: I don't have any. I'm still too young and I'm always busy, too!

Sharon: What about Randy now? Is that going to make any changes in the music? What kind of thing happens when he comes out on stage? I know you've been kind of sneaking him on every now and then. What do you feel happens with the audience and how do you feel about him being the youngest now?

Michael: I think it's good. Everybody jumps up and they like it. That's our brand new thing. We do a whole medley with him. He's in the group because he's always been trying real hard. He used to practice with us in Gary, Indiana, playing bongos and now he plays congas. He's happy and I'm really happy about his being in the group!

Sharon: What do you do when you're not rehearsing and you're not at school?

Michael: Watch television or swim or play things in the Music Room like the drums, piano, guitar, and congas.

Sharon: I read something once where you were saying you played the drums a little bit but you were a little nervous doing it because you didn't really feel sure yet.

Michael: Yeah, because I really didn't know how to play at first, but now I plan to get into it more.

Sharon: What about your brothers, are they changing instruments at all?

Michael: We're all learning how to play different things. Like Jackie's talking harp, Marlon plays saxophone now, Randy's having his piano lessons now and Tito and Jermaine know how to play all instruments.

Sharon: What song did you like the best and did you know when you were recording it that it was really going to be good?

Michael: My favorites are "Rockin' Robin", "I'll Be There", and "I Want You Back". I knew "Rockin' Robin" was going to be really good.

Sharon: Somebody told me that you talk a lot to Donny Osmond or is that just a rumor?

Michael: Yeah. He calls me sometimes.

Sharon: If you're friends, what do you talk about?

Michael: He's always talking about football and he wants to play a game with us. We're getting that together. I'm sorry, not football but basketball. They say they'll probably beat us in football but we can play everything including baseball!

Sharon: What kind of girl would you think you would like?

Michael: A girl with a good personality. Like, you wouldn't get a girl and marry her in one day, would you? Well, you have to talk with her, see what she's like and ask a few questions.

Sharon: Do you have any special problems being one of the Jackson-5?

Michael: Problems? I don't have any problems--not a one. I guess the worst one would be if I was conceited, but I don't have those kind of problems now... maybe when I get older.

Sharon: Have you ever wanted to go into the movie business?

Michael: I'd like to be in a movie one day, but I mainly like to sing. I want to be with the group, singing, all my life!

Sharon: Do you do any cooking at all?

Michael: Yeah, you know, grits, oatmeal, bacon, eggs, Cream of Wheat. I like enchiladas best but I can't cook them yet.

Sharon: How do you feel when you hear yourself singing on the radio?

Michael: I've been asked about that a lot of times. I don't feel any different, I just listen to it. I don't tell people, "Hey, that's me." I would feel funny if I said that, you know, because there are some people I know who are jealous, and I don't like to make them feel that way.

Sharon: Most reports say that your favorite singer is James Brown. Is this true?

Michael: He's good. I like his records--the funky ones and the jazzy stuff. When we went to see a show of his, he taught me a few things he does on stage, you know, drop the mike and catch it. It only took me about thirty minutes to learn that... yeah, it looks hard, but it's easy.

Sharon: How do you like working with your brothers, Michael?

Michael: Jackie, he keeps the group together for practice, Jermaine can really play that guitar and Tito, he's got heavy ways but doesn't like comedy stuff or cartoons. They get too serious sometimes. Marlon sticks around with me all the time. I can always be with him, and Jermaine is sometimes funny. He clowns with us.