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“Teen Beat” Magazine Interview

Date range of publication confirmed in Chris Cadman’s “Michael Jackson the Maestro”

“Teen Beat” magazine (1977), from Chris Cadman’s “Michael Jackson the Maestro” (article summary/quotes)

This was a standard run of the mill magazine article, with Michael talking, and touching on subjects he had previously discussed, when the Jacksons left for CBS/ Epic.

Main points from the interview included:

“Ever since we started, people close to us were making sure we didn’t get big heads. But I don’t think I could be that way even if no one had been watching me.”

Michael mentioned why he still lived at home even though most of his brothers had got married and moved out:

“I live at home with my mom and dad, and I’m not really ready to live on my own.”

Michael denied the rumour of Jermaine leaving because of a lawsuit:

“Jermaine left because he wanted his own solo career. Jermaine comes over every day. He’s still our brother. We’re still a family, and what family means is staying together in the unity of love – that’s the most important thing.”

Away from the spotlight Michael loved the normal things in life:

“I spend a lot of time by myself. That’s the way I want it. I may take a walk. Or I may watch some video tapes. I read some I guess. I may just sit and do nothing. You don’t always have to be doing something, you know. In many ways I’m not that sophisticated. But that’s no crime. You don’t have to be all that hip and worldly to be a good person. I’m just plain old me. That’s all.”