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MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA–Five weeks ago, an emcee's entreaty of "Are you ready for Tito Jackson?" would've been a vibes crusher at most major music festivals, much less one of the biggest in the Caribbean.But on the one-month anniversary of his superstar brother's mysterious death, Jackson's Saturday night performance was the apex of this island's 17th annual Reggae Sumfest.
With a diverse blend of reggae and pop, the premier outdoor event attracts about 40,000 people – 65 per cent locals, the balance from North America and Europe.
Accompanied by a nine-piece band, and clad in an ivory suit and black hat, Jackson, 55, generally acknowledged as the least glamorous of his performing siblings, delivered a succinct set that included traditional blues, Jackson 5 hits such as "Can You Feel It" and "Rockin' Robin," and a skanking cover of Bob Marley's "One Love."
He left most of the vocal work to a superb female accompanist, instead showcasing his proficiency on rhythm guitar.
As the 15,000-strong crowd warmed to him slowly, he urged them to "scream so Michael can hear you."
Later he added: "He's dearly missed. He would love to see the support he's getting here in Jamaica."
His 3 a.m. appearance, midway through the week-long event's closing night, concluded with the presentation of a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for Michael: "the greatest entertainer that this world has ever seen." The ceremony capped 10 days of speculation about which members of the late King of Pop's family would attend.
Tito Jackson, in turn, presented government officials with a small glass clock "as a symbol of solidarity between the Jackson family and the Jamaica family."
The union was formed more than three decades ago when the Jacksons opened for Bob Marley in 1975 at the National Stadium.
Babsy Grange, minister of culture, entertainment and sports, was then co-ordinator of cultural programming in inner-city Tivoli Gardens. In an interview with the Star, she recalled the excitement of the visit by brothers Michael, Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine.
"They played basketball with Kingston College (students) and were beaten. They visited Bob Marley at (his home) and Tivoli Gardens, where the youth performed for them and thousands of people turned out to see them. They also visited the opposition leader Edward Seaga and Michael stayed out with the birds (in the backyard sanctuary)."
There have been no other public visits or performances since. This one came about after the Jackson family received a letter of condolence from Jamaican officials following Michael's June 25 death. Tito Jackson got in touch to arrange a holiday on the island, said Grange.
"He said Jamaica is his favourite Caribbean island where he could come to get over the grief. He said `Maybe I'd perform,'" she recalled.
The rumour mill buzzed about whether all the surviving Jacksons would come – or none. Hotel and media mogul Gordon "Butch" Stewart even had his private jet at the ready to assist. But the only other family member ever confirmed was Jackie, who couldn't make it at the last minute for "personal reasons," said Grange.
Though his set was short and unremarkable, the audience at Tito Jackson's Sumfest showing seemed to relish the opportunity to commune with a Jackson – even one who has never made a mark as a solo performer.
Such musical tributes are slated to continue around the world, culminating no doubt in next January's Grammy Awards.
"I think his performance meant a lot to Tito and to the people of Jamaica; they were able to relive a small moment of Michael Jackson, experience `touching' a Jackson and expressing their grief," said Grange.
Source:Thestar.com
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