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"The Hollywood Reporter" Magazine Interview

“The Hollywood Reporter” (April 17, 1974)

Michael Jackson, at the tender age of eleven, became the most popular lead singer of a group in only six months. He's an expert dancer, comic, singer, and showman, and very early in his career, gained a reputation for his ability to control an audience.

By the time he was twelve, Michael could handle any emergency or malfunction on stage. His winning smile and ready wit have calmed many a restless audience while waiting for a plug to be reconnected or for enthusiastic fans to return to their seats.

Michael spends most of his time with Randy, "Because I'm his big brother", Mike relates, "and because we have a lot in common."

Michael draws a lot, mostly cartoons, and spends a great deal of time watching cartoons on television. He keeps many pets--most of them crawl.

He is also perhaps one of the best dressed young men of his age group on stage, but off stage, his manner of dress is far more casual as well as more typical.

Michael has experimented with many instruments, liking drums best, but he's developed no serious interest in any of them.

His love of singing and his professions have led him to cut solo albums and several singles; all of which have sold over two million and have gained him many more fans.

Michael is learning more about music academically; reading music, arranging and producing, but he is happiest doing what he still loves best--wowing audiences with his soaring voice and capable sense of stage timing.