"You've Got Michael": Living through HIStory
"You've Got Michael": Living through HIStory
"You've Got Michael": Living through HIStory
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Description
Description
"You've Got Michael" tells the inside story of the high-stakes battle to save Michael Jackson's career and market his 1995 greatest hits album, HIStory, as documented by the record executive closest to him.
While detailing the inner workings of the music business at its mega-platinum peak, "You've Got Michael" is also a gripping drama about working with a global talent through the most difficult time in his career.
While detailing the inner workings of the music business at its mega-platinum peak, "You've Got Michael" is also a gripping drama about working with a global talent through the most difficult time in his career.
In 1991, Dan Beck -- a senior marketing executive at Epic Records in New York -- became Michael Jackson's product manager, with direct responsibility for the artist's record packaging, publicity, videos, retail strategy and contact with the label. The story he tells here is of the five years in that role, dealing with Jackson's unchecked ambition, surprising need for reassurance and increasing challenges to his career, many of them self-induced. Beck recounts his often surprising (if sometimes dismaying) experiences with clear-eyed objectivity, seeing Jackson as both a superstar and a real person.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Kirkus Reviews: In addition to covering his
experiences with Jackson, Beck provides a
fascinating history of the music industry
during a time when sales of a physical
product (LPs, tapes, CDs), along with
radio airplay, determined the success of
musicians, highlighting the unseen
promotional work of marketing departments.
Throughout the narrative, the
author deftly weaves in his own life story,
charting his high-flying early success and
the stresses of an outwardly glamorous
career that kept him away from his wife
and family. His writing is lively and
empathetic, effectively communicating
the experience of working in a high-stakes
industry with a very gifted,
groundbreaking, and flawed artist.
Michael Jackson fans will be
captivated by this unique behind-the-
scenes account.
"You've Got Michael: Living Through HIStory" (Trouser Press Books 2025) is a vivid recollection of [Dan Beck's] excursion working with Jackson on his album HIStory, from concept to its 1995 worldwide release. Beck is a master storyteller, a recorder of precise facts with moving memories reflecting a thrilling experience with the King of Pop that will last him and readers a lifetime. Beck introduces readers to Michael Jackson: the genius, persevering perfectionist and the man still residing inside that young, talented, inquisitive kid from Gary, IN. No gossip, no innuendos, just the hard truth mixed with compassion and excitement about the music business, a superstar, and HIStory.
experiences with Jackson, Beck provides a
fascinating history of the music industry
during a time when sales of a physical
product (LPs, tapes, CDs), along with
radio airplay, determined the success of
musicians, highlighting the unseen
promotional work of marketing departments.
Throughout the narrative, the
author deftly weaves in his own life story,
charting his high-flying early success and
the stresses of an outwardly glamorous
career that kept him away from his wife
and family. His writing is lively and
empathetic, effectively communicating
the experience of working in a high-stakes
industry with a very gifted,
groundbreaking, and flawed artist.
Michael Jackson fans will be
captivated by this unique behind-the-
scenes account.
"You've Got Michael: Living Through HIStory" (Trouser Press Books 2025) is a vivid recollection of [Dan Beck's] excursion working with Jackson on his album HIStory, from concept to its 1995 worldwide release. Beck is a master storyteller, a recorder of precise facts with moving memories reflecting a thrilling experience with the King of Pop that will last him and readers a lifetime. Beck introduces readers to Michael Jackson: the genius, persevering perfectionist and the man still residing inside that young, talented, inquisitive kid from Gary, IN. No gossip, no innuendos, just the hard truth mixed with compassion and excitement about the music business, a superstar, and HIStory.
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Trouser Press Books
Pub date:
2025-10-15
Length:
290 pages
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