Michael Jackson moonwalks back to the centrestage
With state government help, MJ can save international concert-starved India.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
AP
Guess what may have just moonwalked back on to the centrestage? Michael Jackson, of course.
A full 24 years after the pop star performed on Oct 30-Nov 1, 1996, in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government is reportedly all set to reinstate the tax waiver granted for the concert.
Technically, it’s the 3.36 crore in ticket sales, which went to the court registry after the Bombay High Court order in 2011 to suspend that waiver, that will now go to the organisers.
The petitioner had challenged the 100% tax waiver, stating that the concert was neither for charity nor was it a ‘classical show’, which apparently qualifies for the waiver. But it is organiser Wizcraft’s touching 2011 defence — two years after MJ’s death — that bears repeating, ‘Everyone knows he [Jackson] is a world leading artist. He was no little-known artiste.
It’s (sic) like an Elvis Presley or the Beatles. You know what genre of music they are going to play — like western classical beat music.’ Michael Jackson as a ‘western classical beat musician’ isn’t too off the mark.
With the reported cabinet decision, one hopes international acts will find it easier to perform in India — without having to have Balasaheb’s invitation, or having a charitable cause. We may as well finally wanna be startin’ somethin’ about going up the ease of doing show business index.
A full 24 years after the pop star performed on Oct 30-Nov 1, 1996, in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government is reportedly all set to reinstate the tax waiver granted for the concert.
Technically, it’s the 3.36 crore in ticket sales, which went to the court registry after the Bombay High Court order in 2011 to suspend that waiver, that will now go to the organisers.
The petitioner had challenged the 100% tax waiver, stating that the concert was neither for charity nor was it a ‘classical show’, which apparently qualifies for the waiver. But it is organiser Wizcraft’s touching 2011 defence — two years after MJ’s death — that bears repeating, ‘Everyone knows he [Jackson] is a world leading artist. He was no little-known artiste.
It’s (sic) like an Elvis Presley or the Beatles. You know what genre of music they are going to play — like western classical beat music.’ Michael Jackson as a ‘western classical beat musician’ isn’t too off the mark.
With the reported cabinet decision, one hopes international acts will find it easier to perform in India — without having to have Balasaheb’s invitation, or having a charitable cause. We may as well finally wanna be startin’ somethin’ about going up the ease of doing show business index.
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Michael Jackson, possibly one of the finest entertainers the world has ever seen, would have celebrated his 60th birthday today.
Jackson made a foray into the world of music and showbiz as a singer in 'Jackson 5' in 1964.
The star went solo in 1971 and released a string of record-breaking albums, enthralling performances, shock-value music videos, and electrified stadium audiences around the globe.
Audiences loved him the world-over with his kinetic live shows. He has to his credit numerous awards and honours.
As supremely gifted a songwriter as he was a dancer and choreographer, Jackson seemed incapable of penning anything other than a hit in his prime.
Here's a look at his top 5 tracks which topped Billboard charts:
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