The first record I bought was Michael Jackson’s Dangerous.
It was on a cassette, of course. I remember the sweet smell of the new packaging. I listened to Dangerous from top to bottom before and after school everyday. I would stare at the elaborate cover artwork and read the lyrics over and over. My favorite song was “Black or White” and I would request it at the roller rink so much that I would annoying the DJ.
Dangerous was not only the first record that I bought, but also my first MJ record. It marked the beginning of a childhood obsession with MJ specifically as a performer. Because we didn’t have cable, I couldn’t watch any music videos at home. So I had my mom rent Moonwalker, and the dance scenes blew my mind. That’s when I learned about the Jackson 5 and became aware of the seemingly endless artistic genius of Michael Jackson. To this day, every time I hear any of his music, I am amazed in a new way.
Listening to the music on Dangerous made me want to be Michael Jackson. The arrangements on the record perfectly blended rock, hip hop, pop and soul. I wrote an essay in grade school about how I wanted to be an “entertainer and performer like Michael Jackson when I grow up.” I think my parents, although always supportive, were probably confused when they read it. I never danced or sang, but that album made me want to move others the same way that it moved me.
Elliot Jacobson is a top call award winning session drummer residing in Brooklyn, NY. He has been the recording and touring drummer with Ingrid Michaelson for nearly eight years. He also performs and records with Jenny Owen Youngs and many others. He is currently touring with Jenny to support her new album An Unwavering Band of Light and will be touring with Ingrid in April to support the new album Human Again (#5 on The Billboard 200). Follow Elliot on Twitter @elliotjacobson and visit his site www.elliot-jacobson.com for more.
