Michael strikes a karate-style pose on the roof of photographer Jim Britt’s Hollywood studio in 1973. The Jacksons spent much of the year touring and already Michael’s teenage voice stood out.JIM BRITTTHE MICHAEL
I KNEWFrom 1972 until I left Motown Records in June of 1975, I photographed Michael and the Jackson 5 many times. Motown had just moved to Los Angeles so I photographed the brothers in my studio and at their home in Encino, California. During that period, I also shot and designed the artwork for Michael’s first four solo albums, Got To Be There, Ben, Music & Me and his last solo Motown album, Forever, Michael. It is amazing to me as I look over all the photographs in my archives how much time we got to spend together. It was so much simpler then. The photo shoots consisted of Michael and me — along with the driver — finding some locations and shooting photos. That’s all. No hair and makeup, no police escorts, no publicists or agents of any kind standing over your shoulder rushing you, just Michael and I creating. My approach has always been to let the subjects be themselves and try to find that special “glint” that everyone has and encourage that. Michael could go from smiling to serious in an instant as you can see on the front and back cover art of his Got To Be There album.

It was also a time when I could experiment with different techniques and Michael was very cooperative, fun and polite. We got along well and I had his trust.

There is an incredible variety of our photos featured within these pages capturing Michael doing karate moves, running with the background blurred, jumping, hanging out at Pink’s Hot Dog Stand, buying shoes and watching the sun go down up on the roof of my studio.

I remember seeing his “studio” at the house in Encino where he would draw and write. He also had one for music. That was Michael, creative and serious but unpretentious. What I found most exceptional about Michael was that he was aware and sophisticated beyond his years and yet shy and vulnerable. He was never the spoiled child star and he maintained a playful sense of humor.

I don’t want to make this self-serving, but prior to becoming a photographer I was a serious singer and nightclub performer for ten years. Point being, I understand singing and technique. On Forever, Michael, there is a track everyone should listen to: “One Day In Your Life”. Do yourself a favor, take some time, listen, it will blow you away. His breath control and phrasing earn him a place alongside any of the great ballad singers. His understanding of the lyric and his vulnerability are exceptional for someone that young. When I heard him sing that song, I knew he was a very special talent.

That photo session for Forever, Michael was the last solo shoot I would do with him. We did one more Jackson 5 session a little later and then I left Motown, as did Michael and his brothers soon after. I remember watching Motown 25 a few years later when Michael blew the show up with his performance. I was not surprised. I was awestruck. Michael Jackson — a pure, creative soul who redefined music and entertainment.

The 1987/88 tour took Michael to 15 countries setting records everywhere and showcasing his extraordinary singing talents. Onstage in Japan in 1987 during the Bad tour, Michael’s first as a solo artist. The 16-month tour included 123 concerts and firmly established Michael as a pop legend. Performing on CBS television’s Diana Ross Special, February 2, 1981. Onstage with the Jackson 5 during the 1981 Triumph tour. Featuring songs from the album of the same name, this was a tour of 39 cities in the U.S.A. From Tokyo to London’s Wembley Stadium over four million fans came to see — and hear — Michael on the Bad tour.