William Hall brings Michael Jackson: The Legacy Tour to Ipswich Civic Centre this week. He shares his thoughts on Jackson’s life, death and the heir to the King of Pop’s throne.
William Hall’s introduction to the music of Michael Jackson came at a young age.
“I was three years old or something like that, I was in LA and it was one of the early Jackson 5 songs like ABC or I Want You Back,” the Texas native said.
“Looking back that was just kiddie music at the time, Michael went on to write and perform some of the best songs of all time, but it really left a mark.”
Hall has been touring his Michael Jackson show in various forms since the 1980s, changing his look in line with the King of Pop and adding new songs and choreography along the way.
He took a brief break following Jackson’s death in 2009 before working tirelessly on The Legacy Tour.
“When Michael died, first of all I stopped doing the show for three months, I just needed to take a minute and reflect,” Hall explained.
“Michael and I had spoken about the Legacy concept before he died and in the end it was five years in the making.
“Michael was the ultimate song and dance man and I think that’s how he will be remembered.
“His music will go on for generations, I think even more so than Elvis, because Michael was a really unique, original dancer and just did so many innovative things with video and film clips.”
WATCH: William Hall in Michael Jackson: The Legacy Tour.
Jackson had eight albums that went platinum or multi-platinum in Australia along with 27 top 20 singles.
He had four Australian number ones – Ben, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Billie Jean and Black or White – and Thriller remains the world’s best-selling album of all time.
Many artists have imitated but none have ever duplicated. So does Hall see a modern day messiah ready to claim the king’s crown?
“The three I see trying to emulate Michael the most are Bruno Mars, Usher and Justin Timberlake,” he said.
“If I had to give the edge to one of them it’d be Justin because he does things a certain way.
“It’s hard to explain but he just has that ‘it’ factor and a bit of attitude in everything he does that really make him stand out – he’s just a bad boy.”
Michael Jackson: The Legacy Tour plays Ipswich Civic Centre this Wednesday, 11 April. For tickets or more information go here.
