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Michael Jackson's autobiography, based on tape-recorded conversations with his editor Shaye Ereheart, was first published in 1988. This new edition has an introduction by Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records and his original mentor, and an afterword by Areheart about how the book was written. The main part of the book is a straight reprint of the original, with no updating at all. Intriguingly, although Gordy's four pages refer to is protégé in the past tense, calling him ''the greatest entertainer that ever lived'', Areheart's writing, and also the cover, refer to him in the present. No reference anywhere is made to his untimely death.
It tells of Jackson's childhood, as one of nine children born to musical parents. Elder brother Tito used to enjoy furtive sessions on father Joe's guitar, until he gave the game away by breaking a string one day, and an initially angry father then challenged the children to show him what they could do. From there it was a short step to talent shows, and an audition with Motown. Michael was only eleven years old when 'I Want You Back' gave the group the first of four consecutive No. 1 singles in the US. Despite the squeaky-clean family image, it is perhaps reassuring to learn that they suffered from the same boredom as other groups on tour, which they relieved with pranks on others, usually including water bombs or full buckets on slightly open doors – though they stopped short of throwing televisions out of windows. There are also references to the Osmonds and the friendly rivalry between both families.
While the story comes to a halt in 1988, we know with hindsight that his best years were probably behind him. The last twenty years saw continued success with subsequent albums, but there were no records left to break. There were, however, the controversies which came close to derailing his career altogether. Perhaps he chose the right time to tell the story. Did he have some sixth sense that it was all too good to last?
The book is profusely illustrated, with colour plates plus black and white photos integrated into the text. Very few are captioned, and it would have been interesting at least to know which year some of the shots were taken. Nevertheless, it is an honest, sometimes soul-bearing baring memoir, far more than a recitation of achievements. Reading it certainly brings the reader closer to understanding the man behind the almost surreal, none too happy showbiz exterior.
Our thanks to Arrow for sending a copy to Bookbag.
