Jackson's gone, but fans still can't get enough

Never mind the weird chimps, the Peter Pan syndrome, the vitiligo and sex abuse stories. Michael Jackson is best remembered as a performer, and for the tremendous musical legacy he left behind.

And for one night only, the man who worked as a decoy for the pop icon offers fans and celebrity junkies a chance to remember the time right here in Dubai. No, not the time Jackson walked around the city in an abaya, but all those times his music moved you – no matter how cheesy it was (“Earth Song”, anyone?).

Break out your sequinned gloves, then. Navi, who has been rated the world’s top Michael Jackson impersonator by the King of Pop’s fan club, brings his much-feted act to Media One hotel tonight, as part of the live concert series Jam Dubai.

Navi, who was born in Trinidad, worked for Michael Jackson as a decoy for several years, performing for the late star several times, including at at  birthday party in Los Angeles (yes, we think it’s weird to watch someone imitate you on stage, but the jury long ago delivered its verdict on Jackson’s weirdness). It’s an act the British-based singer has taken to 54 countries around the world, he says, performing some 150 shows a year, and he has also been hired to work on some of the many Jackson video game projects in the works.

“No matter what they said about Michael, the world loved Michael,” he tells Emirates 24|7 ahead of the show. “I have between three and five different countries a week inviting me to perform. Michael built bridges where boundaries once divided.” Read on for more.

What can we expect from your show?
My show is 22yrs in the making so the portrayal of Michael is as close as is possible. I know I will get better as I have recently made some changes for a more dynamic reflection on him.  I will perform 11 songs, including most of his biggest hits like ‘Thriller’ and ‘Billie jean’.

Tribute acts often focus on a specific period of the original artist’s career. What will your focus be?
This is a very good point. Michael covered so many years, but I have chose a look around the 'History Tour' which was in 1995.

You’ve performed in Dubai before. What do you think of the crowd here?
I love Dubai. I love the Middle East overall. It's full of so many different countries and cultures and the crowd throughout this region are always supportive to Michael.

Have bookings improved now that Michael Jackson is no longer with us? What’s business like?
Unfortunately the bookings have gone up so much, Michael will be forever be loved. We have bookings throughout the year. We recently opened next year’s diary and took approximately 60 bookings. We also hold bookings for 2012.

You worked as a decoy for Michael for seven years. What was that like? What was the weirdest moment you had there? Were you mobbed by fans?
I worked for Michael for several years. A period spanning nearly 20 years. The most memorable moment was being chased by a couple of thousand fans screaming for Michael and it was me. The police and security wasn't enough so it got worrying. I remember seeing one of my friends from back in the UK clinging onto a van I was in screaming 'Michael ...... I love you' and it was me scared he would get hurt.

Can we expect any original material? Or is your professional work limited to a Michael Jackson tribute?
My show is strictly Michael. Why try and do any original when you have the chance of portraying the world’s greatest performer!

But don’t you feel creatively limited by your tribute work?
I feel creatively lifted. Michael lived on production and to portray even some of his early work is classic with the routine,costume and music production. For example ‘Thriller’ is 27yrs old and no one can deny many try to copy but there will only ever be one Thriller!

When did you first realise you could “be” Michael Jackson?
I could never be anywhere as good as MJ but when I was 15 I started. This has been a dream for me to be a fan and live in this job. It's not a job but living a dream.  

What’s your own favourite Jackson song?
To perform, ‘Billie Jean’. To listen to, either 'Man in the mirror' or 'You are not alone'.

Navi performs at Jam Dubai, Media One Hotel, on Wednesday, September 29. Entry is by member invitation only, but membership is free at www.jamdubai.com, doors open 7pm

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.