Local Bands Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson
Local bands came together Monday night to pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson by playing his music to a packed house at Harlow's. About 250 people filled the room to listen to nearly 40 of Jackson's songs performed by 13 different bands.
Some of the more popular songs -- "Dirty Diana" and "I'll Be There," among others -- were played twice to a lively crowd of dancing fans.
Upon entering, one could already hear Jackson's songs, both originals and covers, filling Harlow's in-house speakers. Jerry Perry, promoter and a self-proclaimed "big Jackson fan" picked and introduced all the bands starting with Absolute Zero, a four-piece of high-school-age musicians.
Each band played between one and four songs and each mini-set lasted five to 15 minutes. Songs ranged from the popular ("PYT," "Beat It," "Smooth Criminal") to the less well-known ("Stranger in Moscow," "Childhood") and were played in styles ranging from punk to coffee-shop folk rock to funk.
Bands' wardrobes varied from non-Jackson-inspired clothing to full three-piece Michael Jackson costumes. One musician simply wore a Michael Jackson t-shirt.
However, most costumes included Jackson's signature black fedora; others added a white glove, white T-shirt with suspenders, and black suit. One band even dressed in the costume from the "Billie Jean" music video, black pants with rhinestone stripes and all.
During one song, a dancer named Randy Jackson (no relation) mimicked the quick precision bursts of movement the late "King of Pop" was known for. At the end of the five-minute routine, the crowd roared in praise of his dancing.
"It's the coolest thing I've ever done," said performer Reggie Ginn, whose self-titled five-piece rock band covered "The Way You Make Me Feel."
"It's a very emotional night," said Ricky Berger, who sang a version of the ballad "Childhood" while accompanying herself on piano.
A little before 11 p.m., Perry introduced an unannounced guest, a vocalist and guitar player calling himself JAM, which stands for "Jesus Always Mandatory." JAM, whose real name is Keith McNorton, works for a homeless shelter called America's House during the day, but has been singing for a long time, he said.
McNorton ran into Perry and auditioned for the show Monday afternoon. He told Perry the story of his special appreciation for Jackson and was added to the lineup at the last minute.
During his performance, he belted out a soulful rendition of "She's Out of My Life" before singing an original song dedicated to Jackson. He said he wrote it in the three days after Jackson died.
McNorton is also working on an album that's tentatively titled Props to the King of Pop.
Other fans showed up just to listen to the music.
"It's great [and] a lot of fun," said Danny Barak, 33, of the event. "Let's separate the music from who he was."
"He was an icon who changed the face of pop," said Velvet McKenzie, 32. Though not a big fan of Jackson's music, she said it was interesting to see his music played in different styles.
Usually-solo singer Adrian Bourgeous, who performed a duet with Berger on an acoustic version of "You Are Not Alone" added, "It brings closure."
Sacramento Press / Thanks Joy C!