MsCassieMollie
Proud Member
http://m.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/09/bruno-mars-complete-q-interview/
Q: You grew up performing songs by both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. From a musical perspective, what did you learn from each of them?
MARS: Really, it was just their command. The biggest thing is the command they both have on stage... how they can control the crowd and the band. I think there’s a performance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan (TV) show where he does ‘Hound Dog.’ At the end he slows it down, and — to me — it looked like an improv moment, not like something they rehearsed. It was like he (Presley) saw girls (in the audience) freaking out and said to himself: ‘Watch me slow it down — and then really go nuts.’ And he slows it down at the end and (then) starts his little dance, and he had them. The confidence Elvis and Michael exuded from stage, I’m a fan of.
....
Q: A little earlier in this interview, we discussed Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, two bigger-than-life icons who both had very tragic endings. From a career perspective, do you look at their lives as cautionary tales?
MARS: Sure, sure. There will never be another Michael Jackson, a huge pop star since (the age of) 7. With my being from Hawaii and being very family oriented I don’t really have a fear of a tragic ending. I dont see any tragic ending for me.
....
Q: How big was it to you to win a Best Male Pop Vocal Grammy Award this year, especially being nominated in the same category that Michael Jackson won for back in the day?
MARS: I was nominated with Michael Jackson! He was nominated for ‘This Is It,’ the song that came out of the movie (of the same name. In a way, I owe it to him. I feel like, if it wasn’t for his music and my upbringing listening to him...I don't know what kid didn’t listen to him at my age. You aspire to be as great as he is as an artist. I don’t think any artist in pop, rock or hip-hop has ever done it any bigger than him. You know what I mean? He’s the man.
Q: You grew up performing songs by both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. From a musical perspective, what did you learn from each of them?
MARS: Really, it was just their command. The biggest thing is the command they both have on stage... how they can control the crowd and the band. I think there’s a performance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan (TV) show where he does ‘Hound Dog.’ At the end he slows it down, and — to me — it looked like an improv moment, not like something they rehearsed. It was like he (Presley) saw girls (in the audience) freaking out and said to himself: ‘Watch me slow it down — and then really go nuts.’ And he slows it down at the end and (then) starts his little dance, and he had them. The confidence Elvis and Michael exuded from stage, I’m a fan of.
....
Q: A little earlier in this interview, we discussed Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, two bigger-than-life icons who both had very tragic endings. From a career perspective, do you look at their lives as cautionary tales?
MARS: Sure, sure. There will never be another Michael Jackson, a huge pop star since (the age of) 7. With my being from Hawaii and being very family oriented I don’t really have a fear of a tragic ending. I dont see any tragic ending for me.
....
Q: How big was it to you to win a Best Male Pop Vocal Grammy Award this year, especially being nominated in the same category that Michael Jackson won for back in the day?
MARS: I was nominated with Michael Jackson! He was nominated for ‘This Is It,’ the song that came out of the movie (of the same name. In a way, I owe it to him. I feel like, if it wasn’t for his music and my upbringing listening to him...I don't know what kid didn’t listen to him at my age. You aspire to be as great as he is as an artist. I don’t think any artist in pop, rock or hip-hop has ever done it any bigger than him. You know what I mean? He’s the man.