“We love all things Indian — it’s musical legacy, the dance, the splendour,” says international singer, Jermaine Jackson, when asked about the reason behind paying tribute to his legendary brother, Michael Jackson on the musician’s second death anniversary at an Indian event.
He’ll be singing alongside Indian singer, Sonu Nigam at the IIFA event in Toronto. Jermaine elaborates, “I’ll begin with the song Can You Feel It and then go on to sing Sonu’s beautiful composition This Is It — it’s a touching tribute to Michael.”
It may be recalled that when the late musician came to India, he referred to India as ‘you are my special love.’ And it is Michael’s impression of India that Jermaine experienced for himself years later. “He loved India. Talented, giving, kind and respectful, that’s how Indians are, he would say. And I did experience that for myself when I came to India. But before that we were always aware of India as a place of many talents — dancing, singing, their handicrafts. We believed that if there’s anything you want, you’ll get it in India,” recalls Jermaine adding, “It was also easy for us to relate to India’s song and dance culture, Bollywood, the colour as we (Jacksons) have grown up in a similar environment of music, dance, colour, performing from one place to another.”
The singer, who’s planning on a reunion tour with the rest of the Jacksons, says he hopes to come to India again and again. “When I was in India, I was looking for suit and when I did go to a store, they told me that Michael had been there too, and showed me photographs of him. It was unbelievable. From all the stores in India, I end up at a place where Michael had been… where’s the chances of that happening anywhere else…Just goes to show that Michael’s spirit is alive and especially guiding me,” Jermaine recalls.
Asked if he plans to catch up with his friends from Bollywood —SRK, Shilpa Shetty at the awards event, Jermaine says, “I wish to say hi to them, but I’ll be leaving for a tribute lined up at Paris right after our performance in Toronto.”
