Moonwalking with Michael's Spirit

We've seen the movie and heard the soundtrack. Now Thailand's stars gather on stage to pay a special tribute to the late King of Pop.

After years of natural rivalry, Thailand's musical giants, Sony Music and GMM Grammy, are joining forces next month to celebrate the life of the late and much lamented King of Pop. Artists from both labels will be on stage in two back-to-back shows titled "This Is It The Concert", in memory of Michael Jackson, who collapsed from cardiac arrest while in the middle of rehearsing for a series of 50 comeback concerts scheduled to start in London last summer.

"It's expected to be Grammy's biggest concert this year with the expenses second only to Bird Thongchai's extravaganzas," says the MD, quoting Grammy producer Thakolkiat Viravan.

"Thailand is the only country that's been granted permission to produce this official concert," says Sony's managing director Birathon Kasemsri na Ayuthaya.

Given the same title as director Kenny Ortega's documentary-concert film, the two-night tribute takes place at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, on February 20 and 21.

Birathon is well aware of negative comments about cashing in on death, often heard in the wake of concerts organised in the weeks and months following the demise of big stars.

"That's why we're collaborating with Grammy," he says "Actually, Sony in New York doesn't want one of its affiliates to organise such a concert because of Michael Jackson's global prestige. He isn't just a Sony legend or idol but so much more. He should be remembered as a complete performer, a man who was equally adept at many styles of singing and dancing.

"Other countries in Asia like Korea and Japan can't do this kind of show because their local artists, at least for the most part, don't have the skills to sing the English songs," he adds.

The Thai artists taking part in the tribute concert include Tata Young, Golf-Mike, Dan Worrawech, Shin Shinawut, Peck, Tor Saksit, Vetrio, Pat, Nut, Two Poptorn, James Ruangsak, Flure, Mai Charoenpura, Christina Aguilar, Jay Jetrin, Slot Machine, Aof Pongsak, Marsha, Champ, Ben Chalathit and Sony newcomers Myra-Nina. Michael Jackson impersonators like Michael Tang or Tik Shiro have deliberately been excluded from the list of performers.

"We don't need any impersonators to perform at this concert because nobody can compare with Michael Jackson," says Birathon. "The Thai artists will all be reveal their individual inspirations as well as their emotions. Tata started practising 'Man in the Mirror', when she was just three and half years old. Golf-Mike and Dan Worrawech were inspired by his dancing

style. Tor Saksit won't put on a black suit and hat like Michael in 'Beat It' but he will play the piano for him. He'll show how the king of pop inspired him to go into the music business. He may even write a song for this influential artist.

"It will be more like the memorial event at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles where Beyonce and Usher didn't imitate Michael Jackson but sang in own styles. The artists will perform his three most requested songs - 'Thriller', 'Man in the Mirror' and 'Billie Jean' - and they'll all sing together on 'Heal the World'," he adds.

Footage from Sony Picture from the documentary 'This Is It", projected on a giant LED, will add depth to the action on stage.

"The scenes will interact with what the Thai artists are doing.

Some of the stars will showcase their singing and dance moves accompanied by scenes of Michael on screen," says Birathon. "We'll use action from 'This Is It' on 'Thriller' with a group of Thai ghosts on stage. We're mixing cultures."

Similar synchronisation between the moving image of a late singer and artists on stage has been successfully done before, for example at the Elvis tribute as well as at X Japan's concert, where a hologram of former guitarist Hide appeared on stage.

"The audience will be very surprised by some of the scenes we have planned," says Birathon. "It may be a Thai concert but it will also be foreigner-friendly, as the song set will be universally known and the performers all have a good command of English.

"We would like all Thais to pay tribute to the memory of Michael Jackson, whose musical legacy will inspire many generations to come," he concludes.

Beat it to the box office

Tickets are Bt4,500 including the Michael Jackson DVD box set. Tickets without gifts range from Bt600 to Bt2,500. They're available at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation