Christina Chaffin
Aug. 16, 2018
Aug. 16, 2018
The Michael Jackson Reel
Gregg Cobarr
Part I
Behind the Lens: Gregg Cobarr's Photographic Flashbacks with Michael Jackson
Gregg Cobarr has been a leading photographer in the entertainment industry for 41 years. He started photography in his teenage years and to this day, is going strong.
On August 16, 1978, Gregg met The Jacksons, (Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Michael and Randy) for the first time at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. That morning, he arrived at the museum early to scout out specific locations for the photo shoot. In the middle of the first day of shooting by a variety of outside sculptures, he approached Michael about a unique idea he had in mind for him regarding a special shot. That particular photo was meant for just him, with intricate details planned out. To this day, it is one of Gregg's most treasured photograph's and is one of his favorite shots he's ever taken.
This particular photo has never been released to the public and very few people have seen it. However, he describes his memory of getting the photograph in great detail, below.
To learn more about Gregg Cobarr and his history in the entertainment industry, visit cobarrphotos.com.
On August 16, 1978, Gregg met The Jacksons, (Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Michael and Randy) for the first time at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. That morning, he arrived at the museum early to scout out specific locations for the photo shoot. In the middle of the first day of shooting by a variety of outside sculptures, he approached Michael about a unique idea he had in mind for him regarding a special shot. That particular photo was meant for just him, with intricate details planned out. To this day, it is one of Gregg's most treasured photograph's and is one of his favorite shots he's ever taken.
This particular photo has never been released to the public and very few people have seen it. However, he describes his memory of getting the photograph in great detail, below.
To learn more about Gregg Cobarr and his history in the entertainment industry, visit cobarrphotos.com.
August 16, 1978
(3-4 hours of shooting)
(3-4 hours of shooting)
How did this particular photo shoot with The Jacksons come about and how were these photos used?
In 1978, I was hired by a client of mine, Epic Records to shoot The Jacksons. I had been doing a lot of photo shoots for Epic artists and worked for many other record labels as well. They left it up to me, as they really pretty much always did, as to where I wanted to shoot and what the photos would look like, so I was given complete creative control.
This particular photo shoot was specifically arranged in coordination with the record company's need for new publicity photos to help promote the group's upcoming album Destiny, [released, Dec. 17, 1978].
After Epic hired me for the project, I started thinking about what I wanted to do with the photos. I wanted the shots to represent who The Jacksons were, both as a group and as individuals. With all of that in mind, I came up with the idea of doing something that had never really been done before with musical artists - certainly never done before with musical artists in Los Angles. For the first day of a two-day shoot, I scheduled the session with The Jacksons at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
How did you come up with the idea of photographing the group at such a unique location?
From knowing who The Jacksons were as artists, I got a sense from them that they were very classy people. Very classy. And it turns out they really were. I had this idea to photograph them at the museum in a few different ways. One of those ways was to have them with sculptures. On the outside of the museum were these gigantic, huge sculptures. However, before the shoot, I shared my plans with Epic Records and they then discussed it with The Jacksons and their management. They met with the group and their management to go over the details of where we would be shooting, and on day one, I had them meet me at the museum.
What do you remember about your first time meeting The Jacksons?
We met for the first time on day one of shooting. I was there early, scouting out shooting locations, deciding where I wanted to photograph them and when it was time for them to arrive, I met them at the front entrance. They drove up in a couple of cars, and one of the cars was a brand new white Rolls-Royce. Beautiful car! Jackie was driving it and Michael was sitting in the backseat, and I can't remember who, but one of the other guys was sitting in the front passenger's seat.
After pulling up, everyone got out of their cars, and I introduced myself and thanked them for coming. They told me they were very excited about the shoot, and I remember saying to Jackie, 'That's a beautiful new Rolls-Royce!'
Jackie: 'Well, but actually it's not mine.'
Gregg: 'Well who's is it, then?' *Laughs*... Because he was driving it! *Laughs*...
Jackie: 'It's Michael's!'
Gregg: 'Why isn't Michael driving it?'
Jackie: 'Well, Michael just hasn't had the time to get his driver's license yet.'
So here was this brand new Rolls-Royce that Michael bought, but he didn't have his license yet, so he couldn't drive it! It was such a beautiful, classy car.
That was just a funny introduction and I remember that moment well.
What are some aspects from that day that stand out to you in regards to day one of shooting?
Well, we started the session outside. The Jacksons brought different clothes to change into and were well prepared for the shoot. We were about to get started and I told them, 'Let's take the first set of shots over here with this sculpture.' I led them over to a sculpture that I had picked out, and when we got there, I arranged the guys in different places and poses. I had them stand by this gigantic sculpture for the first set of photos, and then said, 'Okay, let's go over to this other sculpture.' We moved on to the next setting and took more photos.
I had the different locations picked out from earlier that morning and they were ready for whatever direction we were heading next. They were definitely very professional and open to my ideas.
When looking back, what special moment stands out to you with Michael?
I have a very special memory with him. I looked at the guys and said, 'Okay, I think we've got enough photos with the sculptures now. I'm very happy with these. Let's go around to the other side of the museum where the light's a bit better, with a little back light to add different dimensions to the photos.' We were all set to head over to that location, but I actually had a specific idea in mind for Michael. I had a specific shot in mind that I wanted to take of him in this other area.
As we were walking toward the next group location, I walked over to Michael and said, 'I have this one idea that I've scouted out and I want to take a really quick photo of you with my idea.' He said, 'Sure, Gregg. That would be great.' At that moment when I was talking to him, I must say, he really portrayed to me the feeling of a very gentle, kind soul. That's the feeling I got from Michael. He had this very wonderful, inner calmness about him that he just exuded, and the way he talked was very caring and reserved. It just gave me such a good feeling to be there with him and talking to him because he was just a kind soul. It just makes me smile to think about it today because I remember him saying in this calm voice, 'Sure, Gregg. That sounds great. Let's do that.'
Michael and I walk over to this special place that I had in mind for him at the museum. I had this one, special idea in mind that was meant just for him, and I was very excited about it. What's really special about this particular shot is that I only took one shot. Looking back on it, I took just one shot because we had to join the group at the other location. So, I pulled him aside and we walked over to this specific area, and I positioned him the way I wanted him in the photo. Everything was perfect. After just that one photo, we walked over to the other side of the museum to meet up with the group and continue the shoot.
What happened next?
After Michael and I took that special shot, we met up with the rest of the group. For the next set of photos, I remember Jackie saying he had this little yellow Japanese parasol umbrella. He held it up and said, 'I brought this umbrella with me. Is it okay if I use it in the shot?' I said, 'Yeah, it's great! I love it!' He put the umbrella up and it was interesting because the light from the sun was shining on them from behind, so it added this really nice glow to the umbrella, and added this interesting flavor to the photos.
When reflecting back, how would you describe August 16, 1978 with The Jacksons?
You know, we took a lot of photos that day. Some in color, some in black and white, and it was just a great day together. They were very professional and at the same time, they were able to be themselves.
We took some really classic photos together that resonated with the time, and represented the class of The Jacksons. The photos were classy and so were they.
What happened next?
After Michael and I took that special shot, we met up with the rest of the group. For the next set of photos, I remember Jackie saying he had this little yellow Japanese parasol umbrella. He held it up and said, 'I brought this umbrella with me. Is it okay if I use it in the shot?' I said, 'Yeah, it's great! I love it!' He put the umbrella up and it was interesting because the light from the sun was shining on them from behind, so it added this really nice glow to the umbrella, and added this interesting flavor to the photos.
When reflecting back, how would you describe August 16, 1978 with The Jacksons?
You know, we took a lot of photos that day. Some in color, some in black and white, and it was just a great day together. They were very professional and at the same time, they were able to be themselves.
We took some really classic photos together that resonated with the time, and represented the class of The Jacksons. The photos were classy and so were they.