On Michael Jackson's birth anniversary, Nepean Sea Road resident and drummer Vivaan Kapoor, talks about MJ's influence on his musical journey
Michael Jackson was my first window into the music world. I started playing drums when I was three; I learned to play by simply watching a video of one of my favourite albums of all time, Michael Jackson's Dangerous. His music has such an edge to it that even today it inspires me just as much as it did 19 years ago. As a drummer, listening to his music pushed me to try and experiment a little more in every groove that I played, much like Michael Jackson did with every song.
I recall an amusing incident as a child; after seeing Michael Jackson's iconic music video for Earth Song, I would spend hours in the sandpit at Joggers Park pouring sand on my head, imitating my hero and thoroughly embarrassing my grandmother.
The first live concert I ever attended was of Michael Jackson himself at the Andheri Sports Complex in 1996, which I still remember to this day—I still have my concert ticket! When Michael Jackson announced his This is It tour back in 2009, I was jubilant to know that after what seemed like an eternity, I would see him take the stage once again, and that too at London's incredible O2 arena. Little did I know that I would hear of his untimely death just a month later. To me, that has been the greatest loss of the music industry. When the film of what-the-tour-would-have-been was released in October 2009, I saw it three times! And even today, when I'm working on a new song and need fresh inspiration, this DVD comes to my rescue.
Michael Jackson is my greatest musical influence and will forever be my reason for being a music lover. If I could change one thing, it would be to get Michael Jackson back and wish him a 'Happy Birthday' today.
Vivaan Kapoor, a prolific drummer and percussionist, has been playing drums since the age of five. Being completely self-taught, he has performed with a number of artists such as Spud in the Box, Leslie Lewis, Vasuda Sharma, Sid Coutto, Ankur Tiwari, The Other People, and The Whirling Kalapas. Drawing inspiration from great musicians such as Mike Portnoy, Alex Acuna, James Kottak and Giovanni Hidalgo, Kapoor is well versed in a number of percussion styles like the Djembe, Cajon, Timbale and Shakers in addition to the drum kit. He has attended the first annual Dog Camp featuring Mike Portnoy, Billy Shehan and Richie Kotzen in New York in July 2014.
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