William Hall as Michael Jackson.
Camera IconWilliam Hall as Michael Jackson. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

William Hall’s tribute Michael Jackson – The Legacy Tour at Astor Theatre

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

WHEN William Hall saw Michael Jackson’s Bad and Dangerous tours more than 40 times, he was not just another obsessive King of Pop fan.

“I was studying and learning the whole time,” Hall, who grew up in Los Angeles and Texas, said.

“I would go to his concert not just to watch him but also his band and everything. I wanted to learn the entire spectacle of what he was doing.”

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It was while Hall was at college during the 1980s and singing in different bands that he was given the idea to pursue it further, and on a much larger scale.

“I performed a lot of Michael Jackson and after one show this guy walked up to me and asked if I’d ever thought about touring?” he said.

“It had never occurred to me and at the time, nothing like that had been done. I went home, thought about it and put some ideas down on paper and realised it might be really cool.

“So I put all the songs together first to make it an hour-and-a-half, two-hour show. I worked on it, got some dancers and did a showcase.

“I didn’t realise at the time that people did concert-length performances later. I just started with it and I’m glad I did it because I learnt so much at an early age.”

The highlight for Hall, who is based in Las Vegas, came in 2011 when he performed for the matriarch of the Jackson family, Katherine.

His production manager told Hall 10 minutes before the show that she was in the audience and his reaction was “finally”.

“I’d already performed for Michael, Joe Jackson and Jermaine but I’d never met his mum,” he said.

“She was who I’d really wanted to meet, she was the glue that held the family together, and I’ll never forget it. “One of the first things she said to me was how much I reminded her of Michael. It was a really special moment and then we both started to cry.”

Hall will perform his tribute show Michael Jackson – The Legacy Tour at Astor Theatre on September 16, which includes songs from all of Jackson’s tours including his final, This Is It.

“There was so much more to Michael than just moonwalking,” he said.

“He was the complete artist.”

Community News has 10 double passes to give away to Michael Jackson – The Legacy Tour at Astor Theatre on September 16. Enter here by 10am, Friday, August 31.

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Michael Jackson – The Legacy Tour

Where: Astor Theatre

When: September 16

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au