Self-taught South African born tribute artist Dantanio says he feels a great responsibility stepping into the mantle of pop superstar Michael Jackson.
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“Think about taking on the powers of a superhero. When I am endowed with the spotlight, everything stops,” the 35-year-old says.
“I am humbled and honoured and often scared. Are the fans going to love me?”
He tells of a recent concert in Christchurch where he performed to 5000 people and a fan came towards him on stage. “It was the scariest moment. He hugged me, kissed my neck and said ‘thank you’.”
Phil Collins, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Bee Gees and The Temptations were all big influences on Dantanio’s music tastes as he grew up. This pop, Gospel, reggae blend morphed into one with Jackson’s music.
“I remember performing The Way You Make Me Feel as a 15-year-old at my school spring festival. The girls screamed so loud I couldn’t hear the music. It was inspiring and scary.
“But it woke me up to the fact I could go on with this.”
Dantanio drew Jackson’s face on his school backpack and was soon repeating the feat on his fellow students’ gear.
He performs 20 of Jackson’s songs in the HIStory Show, which he has been perfecting from his younger days.
“You have to start young. I was first introduced to MJ’s music, by my eldest brother who was dancing up a storm to Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough. He was completely lost in the moment and I listened to the rest of the album when he went to work.”
When his brother brought home the Thriller album Dantanio would dance to it and his brother became his mentor. “He showed me how to do the moves.”
Watching videos of James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr, and ballet also helped Dantanio learn rhythm, how to point his toes, and use his whole body in the dances. He says it took about two years of study for him to learn Jackson’s moves. “I was young and enthusiastic and stuck to it.”
This is his second year touring for Showtime Management Australia. He was asked to audition after sending his video to the company which specialises in tribute shows.
“When I’m on stage, I lose myself. You have to forget who you are and become him [Jackson]. It’s okay if they [the audience] don’t know my name – it should always be about the memory of Michael.”
Dantanio says he does a vigorous vocal warm-up in order to match the “accents” or signature sounds Jackson developed in his performances.
He has 42 costume changes, all of which are tailor made for him in replica of Jackson’s stage outfits. He is backed by a band of six musicians, one back-up singer, and four dancers. There are three LED screens, two lighting and sound technicians, a tour manager and personal assistant in the entourage, which is somewhat smaller than MJ’s travelling circus.
After the show he has a meet and greet with the audience. “We love it, because it shows people’s commitment to Michael that they want to say hello.”
