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MJJC Exclusive Q&A with Jennifer Batten and Chris Fischer - Submit your questions

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As we all know Jennifer Batten and Chris Fischer are together putting on a show to honour Michael called Forever Dangerous

Both Jennifer and Chris have kindly agreed to conduct an Exclusive MJJC Q&A, so please submit your questions about this event and of course to Jennifer and her time/experiences with Michael for the next 7 days.
 
Great! Reserving this post for tomorrow to add my Qs.
 
I would like to say to Jennifer that I appreciate and thank her for her integrity towards Michael and his legacy.

My questions:
1 Your best and funniest memories working with Michael?
2 You worst and saddest memories working with Michael.
3 What did you learn from Michael while working with him, and did he learn thing or two from you, perhaps private guitar sessions?
4 Did you see or do you know what instruments Michael played?
5 Did you feel as much frustrated as fans when tabloids were writing untrue stories of Michael and can you tell what was yours/Michael's reaction to those stories? We know you reaction for Gene Simmons claims and thank you for trying to set record straight, but was there any other occasion that you felt like screaming out of frustration?
6 Did you meet Bubbles and do you have funny stories of him?
7 Did you ever have an argument/disagreement with Michael of anything at all?
8 Would you ever write a book about your time with Michael, I'm sure it would be well received among fans?
9 When was you last contact with Michael?
10 How do you feel when you see Carlo doing Michael's part in this tribute, do you give him advice like how MJ did it or do you let Carlo to do his own interpretation.
11 Is this tribute going to be only in States or is it planned to take other countries too?


Admins, I might add more questions later or edit current ones. Can you post one day warning before the questions are sent to J & C?
 
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How did you get the idea to do this show?
 
Guy's, come on we can do better than this :(

Please forward your questions as soon as.

Thanks everyone :)
 
Which of the tours you went on Michael with was best + why and what was your favorite song to do with Michael?
 
okay :sigh:

1. Who's idea was it to do a 'tribute' to Michael?
2. WHY 'Forever Dangerous' ?
3. Why was Carlo Riley chosen?
4. Is it not gonna be 'heartbreaking' to do a show like this knowing that it isn't the 'real' Michael who plays the role in the show?
5. What songs are you gonna perform?
 
Could you see that Michael was not feeling well right before the last shows of the Dangerous tour were cancelled, or was he good at hiding it?

Did the band ever joke (with or without Michael) about the gold pants and the reason why the fangirls loved them so much?
 
Hello Jennifer and Chris
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions

Where do you plan or want to have your first Performance for the opening show?
Do you plan to tour USA and Internationally ?
Can you come to Detroit metro area?
Do you have a coreagrapher working with the dancers and Carlo ?
Why do you feel Carlo is the best choice to tribute MJ with his singing, dancing and over all performance.
Will Carlo sing all songs live or does he also use playback of Michael in his performances?
What do you feel will make your tribute show stand out from all the others?
Do you feel you have chosen the best over all crew as far and singers dancers musicians to honor Michael?
What are you most excited about for the fans to see in this show ?
Can you feel it ? In your opinion does the excitement, the spirit of Michael shine through in your show ?
 
1. We're there any other songs you remember performing with Michael that never aired/made it onto a setlist?
2. We're you ever considered to record with Michael for an upcoming album?
3. We're you disappointed working day and night was dropped for the 2nd leg of the Dangerous tour?
4. Of the the three tours you did with Michael, which tour had the best band sound?
5. What music video do you wish you were featured in?
6. We're there ever any mentions of a tour post HIStory pre 2003?
7. Who was your biggest inspiration regards playing style and look?
8. Who would you like to tour with of today's generation?
9. Was Michaels lip-synching ever addressed publicly during the tours?
10. If you could perform with Michael one last time, what song would you choose?
 
9. Was Michaels lip-synching ever addressed publicly during the tours?
Click to expand...

I second this question. And I would like to add, do you know why Michael chose to lip-synch so many songs on the Dangerous and History tour? Was this the way it was planned during rehearsals or did Michael have a problem with his throat or was he too out of breath from dancing?
 
1.)
Jennifer - How would you describe Michael's rehearsal style (immediate addressing of musical issues vs. taking notes and going through it at the next rehearsal) - and how has his approach to practice and rehearsal changed over the years?

2.)
When it came to musical issues - would he let the musicians know through the musical director, or would he interrupt immediately to voice his observations?

3.)
What would you describe as Michael's most remarkable musical ability - sense of rhythm and tempo, discipline, intonation, or overall stage presence perhaps?

4.)
How was his pitch - would he catch key changes etc - would he be the one requesting those on occasion?
Do you remember by any chance if the "Billie Jean" live tempo change (slower?) had to do with the stadium acoustics?
Did you dread particular stadiums and their acoustics? What were some of your favorite cities and stadiums to play in - and why?
What did the rehearsal schedule look like while on tour?

5.)
What was the greatest thing you learned throughout the tours with Michael and the band? How did Michael's musicianship evolve and change throughout the years? What did Michael appreciate the most about you and your musicianship?

6.)
In what kind of language would Michael address musical issues - did he ever use the standard "fortissimo and crescendo", or did he prefer to speak in imagery - perhaps he did both? Did that change throughout the years?

7.)
Did you ever catch him improvising on the piano? Did he speak of any classical composers throughout the years and how they perhaps influence even the performance of pop/rock music? Was Michael aware just HOW MUCH even classical musicians loved his music and style despite them playing classical music?

8.)
What do you miss the most about working with Michael?

9.)
In what ways would Michael encourage and motivate the band and you? Did he adjust his style with people - and how did he perhaps encourage you to come into your own - it's not Slash and not van Halen - what was the most helpful advice for you to make your own personal mark as Jennifer Batten?

10.)
Did Michael have any particular musical pet peeves the band would strive to avoid - a string just so slightly out of tune, a forgotten lyric etc, not watching his cues?
And what was the greatest unexpected thing that ever happened that the band had to deal with live?
And what would musically lead to Michael's nod of approval?

11.)
Did the band ever prank Michael live by forcing him to dance faster and faster etc?

12.)
How do you approach "Forever Dangerous" musically? Do you practically still hear his voice in your head when playing - how he would have preferred something, etc?

13.)
Which one of Michael's song pulled the most on your heartstrings throughout the years -regardless of your own part in it, or if it was played live?

Wishing you, Chris Fisher and everyone involved all the best and MANY MANY thanks for doing this Q&A!
 
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Pace said:
1.)
Jennifer - How would you describe Michael's rehearsal style (immediate addressing of musical issues vs. taking notes and going through it at the next rehearsal) - and how has his approach to practice and rehearsal changed over the years?

2.)
When it came to musical issues - would he let the musicians know through the musical director, or would he interrupt immediately to voice his observations?

3.)
What would you describe as Michael's most remarkable musical ability - sense of rhythm and tempo, discipline, intonation, or overall stage presence perhaps?

4.)
How was his pitch - would he catch key changes etc - would he be the one requesting those on occasion?
Do you remember by any chance if the "Billie Jean" live tempo change (slower?) had to do with the stadium acoustics?
Did you dread particular stadiums and their acoustics? What were some of your favorite cities and stadiums to play in - and why?
What did the rehearsal schedule look like while on tour?

5.)
What was the greatest thing you learned throughout the tours with Michael and the band? How did Michael's musicianship evolve and change throughout the years? What did Michael appreciate the most about you and your musicianship?

6.)
In what kind of language would Michael address musical issues - did he ever use the standard "fortissimo and crescendo", or did he prefer to speak in imagery - perhaps he did both? Did that change throughout the years?

7.)
Did you ever catch him improvising on the piano? Did he speak of any classical composers throughout the years and how they perhaps influence even the performance of pop/rock music? Was Michael aware just HOW MUCH even classical musicians loved his music and style despite them playing classical music?

8.)
What do you miss the most about working with Michael?

9.)
How do you approach "Forever Dangerous" musically? Do you practically still hear his voice in your head when playing - how he would have preferred something, etc?

10.)
Which one of Michael's song pulled the most on your heartstrings throughout the years -regardless of your own part in it, or if it was played live?

Wishing you, Chris Fisher and everyone involved all the best and MANY MANY thanks for doing this Q&A!
Click to expand...

Your questions are very well thought out and brilliant. Well done!
 
Pace said:
Gosh, NRC, thank you. I have so much I would love to ask those that worked with him. I would lovelovelove to sit down with everyone who worked with him to explore Maestro as a musician etc.
Click to expand...

Exactly I think it's funny how for the most gifted and talented entertainer in the world, we as fans don't know HALF enough about his work and the way he went about it behind the scenes. BAD 25 gave us a great insight, but I would love for someone like Jennifer to tell us exactly what he was like, with great detail, behind the scenes, regarding performances. I want to know exactly how he directed his own stage and sounds.
 
Thanks everyone, the questions are now closed.

Stay tuned for the answers.
 
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