ESSENCE.com 的Todd Gray訪談
來源:huffingtonpost.com 翻譯：邁克爾傑克遜-音悅Tai飯團
在和 ESSENCE.com 的一次 私人 訪談 中，陶德·格雷 ( Todd Gray ) 回憶了一些他和流行音樂之王邁克爾傑克遜最親密的時光。陶德是《 Before He Was King 》一書的作者，邁克爾早期的攝影師，這本書它記錄了 1979 年到 1983 他和傑克遜樂隊在一起的那些年。
他擁有強大的力量
1979年，高中畢業後我去了藝術學校。17歲時，我的作品就在《生活》雜誌上刊登，並與滾石樂隊一起巡演。當時我有一本非常好的關於演唱會的作品集，CBS唱片公司(現在的索尼) 很喜歡我的作品。他們的經理喜歡我為種子合唱團拍的那些照片和我處理照片的風格。我當時不知道他們還管理傑克遜樂隊。我接到一個電話去為這個樂隊組合
在“American Band Stand”和“靈魂列車”節目的演出拍照。當我去到他們的更衣室，所有人都嗡嗡地圍著邁克爾·傑克遜。我承認我感到有點恐懼，頓時覺得我最好離這裡遠點。我學會的一件事是，你永遠不會想去接近有感染力的人物，因為你可能會被“燒毀”，惹麻煩上身，所以我退後一步，和邁克爾保持距離。但他的兄弟和我都去了費爾法克斯高中，我和提托（Tito）以及傑基（Jackie）年齡相仿，因此我們開始聊起來。後來，我開始和馬龍（Marlon）和傑基（Jackie）混熟，但仍然決定不惹邁克爾。
他擁有魅力
很明顯邁克爾充滿魅力，每個人都被吸引，包括唱片公司的高管，電臺的，每一個人——他們不只是跟隨著他，他們是被邁克爾緊緊粘住了。再一次，我做了一個慎重的決定，不涉入這個社交圈子中，因為我知道我高攀不上。這是一個不變的情況。但是邁克爾很順從，身邊總有他的管理團隊和公關人員，因為他是一個真正害羞內向的人，他在最公開的行業裡，所以他總是讓唱片公司高管的一個保鏢幫他回避，如果有人要聯絡上他，他們不得不先通過篩選過濾。邁克有一張鎮定的臉，寡言少語，說話溫柔。如果媒體或其它地方的人有事請求他，他會在一個助手耳邊低聲耳語他要向那個人傳達的資訊。邁克爾這樣做是因為他不喜歡衝突，不想冒犯或傷害任何人的感情。但是，他的聲音其實並不像他經常在公共場合使用的那樣輕聲細語，所以我認為邁克爾也有點謹慎和警惕。當我在路上為他們拍攝記錄時，邁克爾會批評他們的表演，會談論他們如何能提高表演的品質，他總是用這種柔和的聲音。但毫無疑問，當邁克爾講話的時侯，就沒人再會推卸責任。
愛惡作劇的人
邁克爾和他的家人、朋友在一起的時候，他會變成一個好玩的愛耍花招和開玩笑的人。有時他會給我打電話，偽裝聲音，編造了一個名字，要我做一些愚蠢的事。他可以模擬各種聲音和我玩很多惡作劇。有一次我安排了一個會議，他卻躺在床上打瞌睡起不來，於是我拍了他躺在床上的照片。他是這樣說的，“陶德，我要你為你所做的付出代價的！”他做到了。後來一天晚上他正在臺上開演唱會，我都忘了這件事了。他告訴我當他開始唱那首歌時，我要站在台下觀眾席前一個特定的地方幫他拍攝。我按指示照做了。當我站到那裡時，邁克爾後仰，說道，"Help me, help me! I need some woman to touch me!" 所有的女人忽然湧上來,就在那個地方倒在我身上。我被擠在她們中間，甚至無法拍到一張照片，他就這樣沖著我（壞笑）——似乎在說，我終於逮到你了。後來，我說，你認為你這樣做很可愛嗎？他說，“你是什麼意思，陶德？”我的意思是，邁克，那次真的很痛，那些人幾乎把我壓碎了。他說：“陶德，情緒有時會感染我，那次我正好被感染了。”當我意識到這是他的報復時，這是我最後一次和他保持距離(笑)。
邁克爾 · 大孩子
這個人就是這樣一個謎。我從未見過任何一個人既表現出成年人的智慧，又具有孩子般的特質。邁克爾是一個真正的孩子，他在很多方面非常聰明。無論如何我還是沒有弄明白這兩個截然相反的東西怎能共存在一個軀體裡。我們去狄斯奈樂園好幾次，玩過山車的時候我坐在他旁邊，邁克爾尖叫著，而我則頭暈和驚恐大叫。我必須為此感謝他。孩子總是很樂意呆在他的身邊，我們每一個在他陣營裡的人都變得孩子氣。邁克爾會營造氣氛，在你意識到它之前很容易就融入進去。最初我有點抗拒，帶著專業的態度，但我意識到當我開玩笑時他會變得更自在隨意，相處融洽。和邁克爾外出最棒的事是我可以脫下成年人的面具，釋放我內在的童心。
邁克爾 · 聖者
我可以和邁克爾轉換和分享觀點。我是個時尚狂熱者，所以他會問我穿什麼或者讓我看他的衣櫃裡，為他挑選合適的衣服。那些時刻，他會表達出自己的不安和對我的遵從。我記得我不得不告訴他把他的米老鼠帽子摘掉，但他把它翻出來，說：“哦，陶德，我喜歡它，它是我最喜歡的。”人們會驚訝地發現開始的時候邁克爾對他的金錢一點也不輕率。我記得有一次他發現一尊令他著迷的雕像，他派我去問出價格。當我回來告訴他價格時，他說那太貴了。我對此不敢相信，因為當時他就非常富有。由於他的宗教信仰，他不斷地努力注意不要把事情做得太過了，甚至不會接受我送給他的一個生日禮物，因為他的宗教信仰不慶祝或承認它們。我可以看到他不得不拒絕我送給他的禮物時是那麼的絕望。同樣,你不能在邁克爾旁邊罵罵咧咧，說任何“更衣室談話”內容。我記得有一次我和另一個參與巡演的夥計出去找女人，當我們回來時邁克爾問我們晚上做了什麼。我和那個傢伙說：“我們去釣魚了”。“釣魚嗎？”他花了一分鐘才搞明白這兩個花花公子想說的是什麼，但當他終於明白過來時我們哈哈大笑。後來它成為了一個笑話，每次他看到我們他就會問“那麼夥計們，你們今天去釣魚了嗎？”
天才
當我第一次見到他，我心裡對他不屑一顧，認為他是一個羽量級的小孩子，但我慢慢意識到他是一個很聰敏的人，不得不和他進行智力的較量。一些專家相信和你身體內在的“孩子”建立聯繫和放開文化約束能刺激你的創造力。因為你放鬆自然，想法躍然而出，你的創造力才能更好地發揮出來。邁克爾不會束縛自己，他讓創造的過程漸漸進行，並獲得新的洞察力。我記得我為”Time”雜誌拍封面時，邁克爾坐在他的私人劇院前，把腳撐在椅子上，我注意到他穿了兩隻不同顏色的襪子，我說，“邁克，你穿了兩隻不同顏色的襪子。”現在，這時正值“Thriller“大獲成功，邁克爾信心滿滿。他說，“我知道，拍吧。”我說，“但是，邁克爾，他們會議論你的。”他提了提眉毛回答：“我知道，陶德。照下這張照片。”我知道在這一刻我不再是他的朋友的角色，我被他放回了員工模式。在那一刻，我突然想到，邁克爾已經開始塑造自己富有傳奇色彩的人物形象。他是對的，每個人都談論它。
邁克爾，他就是世界
當我的妻子走進來告訴我邁克爾去世的消息時，我正在貼滿邁克爾·傑克遜照片的英格爾伍德工作室編輯我書裡的照片。我23歲的兒子，哭泣著打電話給我，說他是如何想念他，因為他和邁克爾一起長大。直到我看到追悼會上魔術師詹森說邁克爾讓他成為了一個更好的控球後衛，他的去世才給我迎頭一擊，深深地觸動了我。邁克把追求卓越的精神灌輸進你的心靈，激勵你不斷前進。當我和邁克爾一起工作的時候，我們曾商討過啟動一本關於來自世界各地兒童的書。當時我意識到我有未完成的事——我要完成邁克爾的心願。幾年之後，他創作了“We Are The World”，它最終成為一張超級單曲。
ackson's Photographer Todd Gray Shares Intimate Moments With the King of Pop
http://www.truemichaeljackson.com/more-about-michael/todd-gray-talking/
He's Got Juice
It was obvious that Michael had the juice and everybody was attracted to it, including record executives, radio, just everybody—they weren't just following him, they were anchored to Michael. Again, I made a conscious decision not to socialize in that circle because I knew I was out of my league. That was a constant scenario, but Michael was dutiful and always had his management team and publicist by his side because Michael was genuinely shy introvert who was in the most public of professions, so he always kept a safeguard of record execs that would deflect for him and if anyone needed to get through to him they had to go through the label made filter. Mike had a game face and would speak few words in a soft voice and if someone from the media or elsewhere was making a request of him, he would whisper in one of his handlers ears who would then relay whatever message needed to be shared with that person. Michael did this because he didn't like confrontation and didn't want to offend or hurt anyone's feelings. Still his voice was not as soft as the one he often used in public, so I think Michael was also a little guarded. When I was on the road with them documenting, Michael was really critical of their performances and would talk about how they could improve their performances and he always did it in this soft voice. But make no mistake, when Michael spoke the buck stopped.
The Genius
When I first met him I brushed him off mentally, thinking he's a lightweight, a kid, but I realized he's a sharp cookie and had to give him his intellectual due. Some experts believe that you stimulate your creative intellect by connecting with your inner child and let go of cultural constraints. You become a clear conduit of creativity because you are relaxed and the ideas will eventually come. Michael wouldn't restrict himself and would go back and have this generative process and gain new and fresh insight. I remember I was doing a cover assignment for Time magazine and Michael was sitting in his home theater and had his legs propped up on the chair and I noticed that he had on two color socks and I said, "Mike, you have on two different color socks." Now, this was when Thriller was taking off and Mike's confidence was at its highest. He said, "I know, take the picture." And I said, "But, Mike, they're going to talk about you." And he replied with a raised brow: "I know, Todd. Take the picture." I knew then that I had been put back in employee mode and was no longer his friend. In that moment, it hit me that Michael had already begun to create his larger-than-life persona. And he was right, everyone talked about it.
In an intimate chat with ESSENCE.com, Todd Gray, photographer and author of "Before He Was King," a tabletop book which documents the years he spent touring with The Jacksons from 1979 to 1983, shares some of his most intimate moments with the late King of Pop
He's Got the Power
In 1979, after graduating high school I headed to art school. At 17, I had already been published in Life magazine and was on tour with The Rolling Stones. By that time I had a really good portfolio of music concert images and CBS records (which is now Sony) really liked my work as I had photographed Gladys Knight and the Pips for them, and their managers loved the photographs and the way I handled myself. Little did I know, they also managed The Jacksons and before I knew it I received a call to photograph the group for their performances on "American Band Stand" and "Soul Train." When I showed up and went to their dressing room there were all of these people buzzing around Michael [Jackson]. I'll admit that I felt a little intimidated and immediately thought, I need to stay away from that situation. One thing I've learned is that you never want to get to close to the power because you might get burned, so I stepped back and kept my distance from Michael, but his brothers and I both went to Fairfax High School and that opened up conversation with Tito and Jackie and I was about the same age as them so we begin shooting the breeze. Later on, I started hanging out with Marlon and Jackie, but still decided to leave Michael alone.
In 1979, after graduating high school I headed to art school. At 17, I had already been published in Life magazine and was on tour with The Rolling Stones. By that time I had a really good portfolio of music concert images and CBS records (which is now Sony) really liked my work as I had photographed Gladys Knight and the Pips for them, and their managers loved the photographs and the way I handled myself. Little did I know, they also managed The Jacksons and before I knew it I received a call to photograph the group for their performances on "American Band Stand" and "Soul Train." When I showed up and went to their dressing room there were all of these people buzzing around Michael [Jackson]. I'll admit that I felt a little intimidated and immediately thought, I need to stay away from that situation. One thing I've learned is that you never want to get to close to the power because you might get burned, so I stepped back and kept my distance from Michael, but his brothers and I both went to Fairfax High School and that opened up conversation with Tito and Jackie and I was about the same age as them so we begin shooting the breeze. Later on, I started hanging out with Marlon and Jackie, but still decided to leave Michael alone.
He's Got Juice
It was obvious that Michael had the juice and everybody was attracted to it, including record executives, radio, just everybody—they weren't just following him, they were anchored to Michael. Again, I made a conscious decision not to socialize in that circle because I knew I was out of my league. That was a constant scenario, but Michael was dutiful and always had his management team and publicist by his side because Michael was genuinely shy introvert who was in the most public of professions, so he always kept a safeguard of record execs that would deflect for him and if anyone needed to get through to him they had to go through the label made filter. Mike had a game face and would speak few words in a soft voice and if someone from the media or elsewhere was making a request of him, he would whisper in one of his handlers ears who would then relay whatever message needed to be shared with that person. Michael did this because he didn't like confrontation and didn't want to offend or hurt anyone's feelings. Still his voice was not as soft as the one he often used in public, so I think Michael was also a little guarded. When I was on the road with them documenting, Michael was really critical of their performances and would talk about how they could improve their performances and he always did it in this soft voice. But make no mistake, when Michael spoke the buck stopped.
The Prankster
Once Michael was just surrounded by his family and friends he became the playful, trickster and jokester. Sometimes he'd call me up, disguise his voice, make up a name and ask me to do something foolish. He could mimic a variety of voices and played many pranks on me. One time I took pictures of him while he was in bed because he was late for a meeting I'd set up and wouldn't get up. He was like, "Todd, I'm gonna get you for that!" And he did. I'd forgotten all about what happened while he was performing one night and he'd told me to stand in a specific spot to take photos of him when he began singing that song. I did as I was instructed. So right before I go to take my position, Michael drops to his back and starts saying, "Help me, help me! I need some woman to touch me!" and every woman in that place collapsed on me. I was between them and Michael and I couldn't even get one shot in and he gave me this look like, I got you. Afterwards, I said you think you're so cute, and he says, "What do you mean, Todd?" I'm like, Mike that hurt; those people were crushing me and all he said: "Todd, the spirit just takes me sometimes and the spirit just took me." That's when I knew that was payback and that was the last time I stepped out of line with him (Laughs.)
Once Michael was just surrounded by his family and friends he became the playful, trickster and jokester. Sometimes he'd call me up, disguise his voice, make up a name and ask me to do something foolish. He could mimic a variety of voices and played many pranks on me. One time I took pictures of him while he was in bed because he was late for a meeting I'd set up and wouldn't get up. He was like, "Todd, I'm gonna get you for that!" And he did. I'd forgotten all about what happened while he was performing one night and he'd told me to stand in a specific spot to take photos of him when he began singing that song. I did as I was instructed. So right before I go to take my position, Michael drops to his back and starts saying, "Help me, help me! I need some woman to touch me!" and every woman in that place collapsed on me. I was between them and Michael and I couldn't even get one shot in and he gave me this look like, I got you. Afterwards, I said you think you're so cute, and he says, "What do you mean, Todd?" I'm like, Mike that hurt; those people were crushing me and all he said: "Todd, the spirit just takes me sometimes and the spirit just took me." That's when I knew that was payback and that was the last time I stepped out of line with him (Laughs.)
Michael the Manchild
This man was such an enigma. I have never met anyone who is both exhibiting the quality of mature adult wisdom because he was wise in many ways and ye exhibit qualities of child. Michael was authentically a child. Try as I might, I could not resolve those two polar opposites in the same body. We went to Disney land a couple of times and sitting next to him in a rollercoaster Michael's screaming and I'm just as giddy and screaming and letting my child out without reigning it back in. I have to thank him for that. He made it okay to be a child around him and that was everyone in his camp, we all became childlike. Michael would create that air and space and you'd simply enter into it before you even realized it. Initially, I was resistant and had a professional attitude, but I realized he was more comfortable when I was playful and he could relate to me on that level. What was great about hanging with Michael is that I was allowed to escape by removing my own mask of adulthood and nurture my inner child.
This man was such an enigma. I have never met anyone who is both exhibiting the quality of mature adult wisdom because he was wise in many ways and ye exhibit qualities of child. Michael was authentically a child. Try as I might, I could not resolve those two polar opposites in the same body. We went to Disney land a couple of times and sitting next to him in a rollercoaster Michael's screaming and I'm just as giddy and screaming and letting my child out without reigning it back in. I have to thank him for that. He made it okay to be a child around him and that was everyone in his camp, we all became childlike. Michael would create that air and space and you'd simply enter into it before you even realized it. Initially, I was resistant and had a professional attitude, but I realized he was more comfortable when I was playful and he could relate to me on that level. What was great about hanging with Michael is that I was allowed to escape by removing my own mask of adulthood and nurture my inner child.
Michael the Saint
I was able to switch gears and share opinions with Michael. I was a bit of a fashion hog, so he would ask me what to wear or I'd go through his wardrobe and pick something out for him. It was in those moments that he'd express his insecurity and deferred to me. I remember I had to tell him to take his Mickey Mouse hat off but he dug it and would say: "Oh, Todd, I like it; it's my favorite." What people might be surprised to learn is that Michael was not frivolous with his money in the beginning. He answered to a higher authority. I remember one time he found this statue he was lovestruck with and sent me to find out the price. When I came back and told him the cost he said that it was too much money. I couldn't believe it because this was when he was making great money. Because of his religion he constantly struggled and was mindful of getting things in excess and wouldn't even accept a birthday gift that I'd bought him because his religion doesn't celebrate or acknowledge them. I could see the utter disappointment when he had to reject the gift from me. Also, you couldn't curse around Michael or engage in any "locker room talk." I remember one time me and one of the other fellas on tour went out looking for women and when we got back Mike asked what we'd done for the evening. The guy I was with said: "We went fishing." Fishing? It took him a minute to catch on what the dude was trying to say but when he finally understood we laughed and it became our running joke that he'd ask us every time we saw him. "So boys, did you go fishin' today?"
I was able to switch gears and share opinions with Michael. I was a bit of a fashion hog, so he would ask me what to wear or I'd go through his wardrobe and pick something out for him. It was in those moments that he'd express his insecurity and deferred to me. I remember I had to tell him to take his Mickey Mouse hat off but he dug it and would say: "Oh, Todd, I like it; it's my favorite." What people might be surprised to learn is that Michael was not frivolous with his money in the beginning. He answered to a higher authority. I remember one time he found this statue he was lovestruck with and sent me to find out the price. When I came back and told him the cost he said that it was too much money. I couldn't believe it because this was when he was making great money. Because of his religion he constantly struggled and was mindful of getting things in excess and wouldn't even accept a birthday gift that I'd bought him because his religion doesn't celebrate or acknowledge them. I could see the utter disappointment when he had to reject the gift from me. Also, you couldn't curse around Michael or engage in any "locker room talk." I remember one time me and one of the other fellas on tour went out looking for women and when we got back Mike asked what we'd done for the evening. The guy I was with said: "We went fishing." Fishing? It took him a minute to catch on what the dude was trying to say but when he finally understood we laughed and it became our running joke that he'd ask us every time we saw him. "So boys, did you go fishin' today?"
The Genius
When I first met him I brushed him off mentally, thinking he's a lightweight, a kid, but I realized he's a sharp cookie and had to give him his intellectual due. Some experts believe that you stimulate your creative intellect by connecting with your inner child and let go of cultural constraints. You become a clear conduit of creativity because you are relaxed and the ideas will eventually come. Michael wouldn't restrict himself and would go back and have this generative process and gain new and fresh insight. I remember I was doing a cover assignment for Time magazine and Michael was sitting in his home theater and had his legs propped up on the chair and I noticed that he had on two color socks and I said, "Mike, you have on two different color socks." Now, this was when Thriller was taking off and Mike's confidence was at its highest. He said, "I know, take the picture." And I said, "But, Mike, they're going to talk about you." And he replied with a raised brow: "I know, Todd. Take the picture." I knew then that I had been put back in employee mode and was no longer his friend. In that moment, it hit me that Michael had already begun to create his larger-than-life persona. And he was right, everyone talked about it.
Michael, He Is the World
I was in my Inglewood studio surrounded by Michael Jackson images working on editing the photos for my book when my wife came in and told me he'd passed. Then my son who's 23 called me up and was in tears and said how he'd missed him because he'd grown up with him. But it wasn't until I was watching that memorial and Magic Johnson said he was a better point guard because of Michael and that's when it hit me. Mike instilled excellence in you that inspired you to push on. When I worked with Michael we had several conversations about launching a book of children from all over the world. I realize that I have unfinished business I'm going to complete Michael's wish. On the flip side a few years after that he did "We Are The World," which culminated into a huge album.
I was in my Inglewood studio surrounded by Michael Jackson images working on editing the photos for my book when my wife came in and told me he'd passed. Then my son who's 23 called me up and was in tears and said how he'd missed him because he'd grown up with him. But it wasn't until I was watching that memorial and Magic Johnson said he was a better point guard because of Michael and that's when it hit me. Mike instilled excellence in you that inspired you to push on. When I worked with Michael we had several conversations about launching a book of children from all over the world. I realize that I have unfinished business I'm going to complete Michael's wish. On the flip side a few years after that he did "We Are The World," which culminated into a huge album.
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