Jacko's girl set for Strath!
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SHE's performed in stadiums around the world with Michael Jackson, played to a record-breaking TV audience of 1.5 billion and - when it comes to making a guitar sing - can hold her own with pretty much anyone on the planet. So why is Jennifer Batten coming to Starthpeffer? Hector Mackenzie catches up with the artist to find out.
REGARDLESS her remarkable achievements to date, Jennifer Batten shows no signs of resting on her laurels, as her multi-media show at Strathpeffer Pavilion around a week from now is likely to reveal.
Booked solid until the end of October, simply reading through her tour schedule is exhausting. Taking time to speak to the Journal during a rare day off, she is happy to go into "big sister" mode to set the record on the late "King of Pop" and to give an insight into how it felt to play in front of that record-breaking Superbowl audience.
Batten's career was already on a rapidly ascending trajectory when she was selected by Jackson from more than 100 hopefuls in 1987 to be part of an 18-month world tour. She'd famously held down a gig with six different bands in her early days and made waves in a male-dominated arena with her own unique style.
"Touring with Michael was like a paid vacation," she recalls. "He treated everyone like gold, even when things were going wrong in rehearsals." A firm believer that he was "crucified" in the media and repeatedly extorted by people who took advantage of him, she describes the late star - who died in controversial circumstances last year at the age of just 50 - as a hard working artist whose musical legacy will be remembered long, long after his death.
Her memories of life on the road with the star are likely to form a substantial section of the autobiographical book she has planned. And, as we revealed last year, she plans including a substantial tribute to Jackson in her one-woman show at the Pavilion on February 28. The tour has been going well - and Batten is the first to admit many turning up didn't know what to expect.
She said, "I always get guitar fans and fans of Michael Jackson, too. The nice thing on this tour is that I've also been seeing some younger kids thanks to the connection with Michael. My own thing is completely different." She's plugging her latest solo album, Whatever, and plays to a specially created film backdrop which she had a major hand in producing.
Her name may be in lights now but like most artists, she's paid her dues. "There was this one club I remember which had just switched from country back to jazz and when I played there were three in the crowd. I remember looking out and seeing he promoter drooling into his hands. I guess that was a low point!"
She describes some of the stadium shows she's performed as "magical" and is modest about her role in Jackson's 1992 Superbowl triumph. "It was one of the most exciting times of playing with him," she recalls. "It was a one of a kind. It was high pressure - but good!"
She seems to relish stretching herself by putting herself under pressure - the extensive small venue solo tour being a case in point. The Starthpeffer gig ends the first British leg of the tour. Who'd bet against something a little special?
Tickets £14 (£5 for school pupils) from Pavilion 01997 420124, June's Card Shop Dingwall and on-line from thebooth
