Michael Jackson tribute Halifax-bound in new year
Posted Jan 1, 2019 11:50:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Who’s Bad has been the premiere Michael Jackson cover band since before the icon himself passed on.
They’ll be gracing a Halifax stage for the first time in January, and are bringing high-intensity and a nine-person show with them.
Vamsi Tadepalli, founder and current producer for Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience hopes it’s a better Maritimes trip than last year.
“It’ll be quite the adventure getting there in January. Last year, Air Canada lost our costume bags for the Moncton, N.B. show. Hopefully that doesn’t happen this time,” he said. “Our lead singer had to run around and buy things for the show.”
Most of the group is based in North Carolina, with their singer coming in from Las Vegas and dancers from New York.
“We scale up and down based on the venue, but with Michael Jackson, the bigger the better. With expenses touring we can’t bring everyone, but we have nine coming this time,” he said.
Jackson’s songs – including Billie Jean, Thriller, Black or White, P.Y.T., Beat It and tons more boastful, R&B hits – were inescapable for Tadepalli growing up in the 1980s.
“I couldn’t escape MJ. He influences every pop artist to come since his prime, but when I put the band together in college, I began to listen to his music critically. I found so much depth,” he said.
“Most people see a sequin glove, the Moonwalk and the Thriller video when they think of MJ. They think of visuals and not the music. But I see all the layers, vocal harmonies, and everything. You can recognize the theory, especially from the years Quincy Jones was producing.”
They did their first show in January 2004, back when they were rehearsing in the basement of Tadepalli’s parents.
“Our singer kept it a secret, but he was an amazing dancer, and we found out that first show. Then we stepped things way up,” he said.
“It turned into a full-scale production with costumes and choreography, and we’re now an engaging group of talented musicians.”
It’s the respect that band has for their idol that really pushes their music to the next level.
“He was one of the best entertainers ever live. He was a singer-dancer combo that you just don’t find. He’s a tough act to follow, and came before auto-tune and the internet, but became world famous,” he said.
“The world is now smaller with more technology, but when he did his thing, people realized his talent and he got so big.”
Though he’s no longer on-stage, Tadepalli still remembers those glory days.
“I was in the band the first eight years, but then decided to manage. I work producing and as the director of operations. This was my baby, and I’m happy to take care of it,” he said.
“When we went live, I used to love doing Smooth Criminal. It was high-energy, funky, and had great choreography. It was always a home-run.”
Jackson – who had a difficult trajectory in his personal life – was charged and acquitted of child sexual abuse twice. He was an enigma and a unique personality who Tadepelli says had a difficult life.
“He kept to himself as much as possible, but he was constantly in the spotlight. People were so intrigued because he was different and so talented,” he said.
“The media built him up and then tore him back down. To say he was misunderstood is an understatement.”
They are excited to showcase Michael Jackson – in all his musical glory – for fans in Halifax.
“We can’t wait to get down there. Moncton was such a success they added this date, and it should be a whole lot of fun for us.”
Ticket information can be found online.
