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Joe Jackson -- He's the Man (just not with autographs)

Joe Jackson is amazing. What’s baffling to me is, if you Google his name, he’s third on the list of famous Joe Jackson’s. Now, I have no problem with Shoeless Joe Jackson being ahead of him. That’s a guy that should be in the baseball Hall of Fame, but the “Blacksox Scandal” ruined his career; but...Michael Jackson’s nutty father? Anyway, the Joe Jackson I’m writing about I have a love/hate relationship with. I love him, for all the amazing tunes. I dig his albums “I’m the Man,” “Look Sharp,” and “Night and Day.” Perhaps you know the hits: Is She Really Going Out With Him, Steppin’ Out, You Can’t Get What You Want, It’s Different For Girls, Sunday Papers, Breaking us in Two, Fools in Love, and so many other great songs the radio has unfortunately ignored.

The “hate” part of the love/hate, is that he’s so difficult when it comes to autographs. Once when I got him at the soundcheck of one concert, his manager said he was in a bad mood because he had hurt his back. There were about 25 people waiting, and nobody noticed him walking right by us, carrying clothes over his shoulder. I asked for his autograph, and he signed my Night and Day album (which had earlier been signed by his long-time, amazing bassist Graham Maby, and Sue Hadjopoulos, who plays bongos and other assorted instruments on it). I engaged in a conversation with him, that was rather one-sided. He just looked at me with that sourpuss of a face, not responding to anything. I asked for another album to be signed. He said nothing, just stuck the pen back at me without signing anything else. Now, other people noticed he signed an album for me, and they came rushing over. He didn’t sign for anybody else.

The next time I saw him at a different venue, a few years later, he walked by me. He looked angry, and even though nobody else was around, I was afraid to ask for his signature. I just froze. He walked backstage and I missed my chance (at least it was an amazing show). After the show, I saw one guy with an album of his called Jumpin’ Jive. It’s an album of all big-band covers he did. The guy told me, “Jackson didn’t want to sign it for me. He said, ‘I didn’t write these songs! They’re cover tunes. Why would you ask me to sign something I didn’t write?” It was a question that baffled us both, since it is an album he put out. The guy was ticked about it, and I offered to buy the album for $50, or trade him for one of my other signed pieces. Sensing I was really into that, he figured maybe he had a cool item, and turned down my offer.

The third time, at the same venue as the first show, I asked for his autograph. He said, “I’ll only sign one thing for you.”

I had 4 of his CDs with me. I left the albums at home, so I wouldn’t be stuck carrying them during the show. He signed one for me, and I started asking him questions about the “Night and Day II” album. I was shocked to see he got Marianne Faithful to sing on a track (she sounded absolutely horrid on it). Again, a one-sided conversation, where he said nothing to me.

During that show, a guy tried taking photos from the front row. Jackson grabbed the microphone stand, and kept threatening to hit the guy if he continued taking photos. Ouch.

So, it had been about 8 years since I last saw him, and he played a sold-out show here in San Diego. Unfortunately, the friend that called and asked me if I wanted to go, was bringing a chick (side note: no offense if any chicks are out there reading this). When women are involved, and it’s a dating situation, you don’t want to bore them standing around asking the artist to sign items. So, even though it was a venue that would’ve been easy, we didn’t try.

The show was great, as he did the unusual thing of opening for himself. He came out with just a piano, and did some songs with just him on the keys. His amazing, powerful ballad “Real Men” and a cover of The Beatles “Girl,” were both treats.

Later, the band came out (with Maby at the bass again). The show was terrific, especially a smokin’ hot version of the Television song “Hear no Evil.” (which I highly recommend you buy on his new record, or download for $1.29).

I decided to Google, to see if anybody had gotten his autograph on this tour. I was surprised to see he was signing, but begrudingly. Watch this video, to see how he snaps at people asking their names before signing (something a lot of artists do, to assure you won’t try to sell on eBay):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD9hsQ-9bA8

Views: 1107

Tags: Joe Jackson, Marianne Faithful, Michael Jackson, Night and Day, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Television, The Beatles

Comment by Josh Board on March 14, 2019 at 7:34am

Yes, I remember that letter to the editor signature of the Stone. Cool stuff.

Thanks for the kind words, and for reading my stuff all these years.

Comment by sling on March 14, 2019 at 10:00am
Comment by Scott Williamson on June 3, 2022 at 2:40pm

Hey Josh, Joe Jackson is again in town this Sunday at the Magnolia Theatre in El Cajon. I am  coming up from Newport Beach again for the show like in 2019! Hope you are going to the show! He is playing 6 songs from his first 2 albums (Look Sharp and I'm the Man)  in his set. 

Any tips on hanging out / location for the entrance / soundcheck at that venue? I got to know his guitarist, Teddy Kumpel the last few years. You gave me the best tip for the Balboa Theatre back in 2019. With Covid, they might not let me get close.

Anyway, your guess on soundcheck time in the afternoon and entrance location for the Magnolia Theatre would be appreciated and helpful!

Thanks!

Scott Williamson

Comment by Josh Board on June 3, 2022 at 8:27pm

Hi Scott. I'm thinking of going down there and trying to get an autograph, but I've never tried that venue before. I'm going to see if anybody is scalping tickets, because they were kind of expensive. Problem is -- I just sold 1,000 of my albums, and I'm not sure if Kept my JJ records. Plus, I'm not off work until 4:30, so...I woldn't get down there until 6 p.m. Not positive if I'll go or not. I'll decide by tomorrow night and respond here 

Comment by Josh Board on June 4, 2022 at 10:16pm

I don't think I'm going to go. For a number of reasons. The main ones being, the tickets are kind of expensive (and I've seen him so many times now). If I knew scalpers would be selling tickets cheaper, I would. At once concert, I paid $55 for a ticket, and then scalpers were out front selling them for $20. I was pissed. Also, since I don't know the venue, not sure how easy/hard it will be for an autograph. And lastly, I want to watch the Celtics win their second game against the Warriors. I don't want to miss that standing around trying to get an autograph (and I think he'll do soundcheck closer to 430 p.m., and I can't get off work in time to get there that early). Good luck, though. Tell me how it goes, and how the concert is.

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