Did Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson Consider Working Together?
While Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley operated within the same musical landscape, their career paths were quite different. Despite an overlap of 19 years, during which Michael was still a part of the Jackson 5, the two music legends did not seriously consider working together. Let's explore the reasons behind this.
Timeline of Michael Jackson’s Career
Michael Jackson's journey to fame outside his family act, the Jackson 5, began as he transitioned into his solo career. At 19 years old, around the time of Elvis Presley's passing in 1977, Michael was still navigating the early stages of his solo career.
Elvis’s Career and His Approaches
Elvis Presley was a powerhouse in the music scene, but he also had a reputation for being a unique and independent artist. He did not actively seek collaborations with other pop or rock stars, as evidenced by his decision to decline the chance to share the spotlight with Barbra Streisand in the film A Star Is Born. This preference for solo work and personal space is likely one of the reasons why he did not consider working closely with Michael Jackson.
Michael's Solo Career and Aspirations
Michael Jackson, aged 19 when Elvis died, was still under the influence of his father, Joseph “Jr.” Jackson, during his early solo years. This paternal control might have influenced his limited opportunities for collaboration. Furthermore, Michael was in the process of transitioning from the Jackson 5 to his own solo career. This period was marked by his emergence as a solo artist with a distinct, powerful voice and style. It is unlikely that Michael would have considered collaboration with an artist whose career had already seen a significant downturn by 1977.
Michael Jackson’s Beliefs and Personal Motivations
Despite the time gap, there is evidence that suggests Michael Jackson admired Elvis Presley and envisioned himself following in a similar trajectory. In a marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, Michael told her, “I’ll be as big as my dad one day.” However, the realities of their careers and the era in which they lived made such collaborations improbable. Michael was still in the development phase of his career and may not have had the global reach or clout to enter significant collaborations with Elvis Presley.
Conclusion
Given the time periods and personal dynamics, it seems unlikely that Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson ever seriously considered working together. The careers of both artists had distinct paths, with Elvis's career declining by the latter part of the 1970s, and Michael still under the influence of his father and transitioning into his own distinct solo career. The personal and professional circumstances make it clear that such a collaboration was highly improbable.