Harmony in the Spotlight:Michael Jackson & Tisha Campbell love story

Moonwalks and Milestones

March 25, 1983
Tisha-24
Michael-25

Tisha pov

As I stepped onto the stage at the Motown anniversary, memories flooded back. The bright lights, the roaring crowd, and the familiar melodies of our old songs-it was like stepping back in time. I glanced to my side and saw Tichina-my ever-faithful partner in music and life. But tonight was special, because we are not alone.

"Akrice, Lapetra," I said with a wide smile, "it's been too long."

Akrice and Lapetra, my old friends from Shades of Love, stood beside me. We had been through so much together, and seeing them again was like a piece of my heart had been restored. The last time we performed together, Babydoll and Tiara had taken their places when they left. But tonight, we were all together again.

"Ladies and Gentleman," Tichina announced, "please welcome our original Shades of Love members, Akrice and Lapetra!"

The crowd erupted in applause as we took our positions. The first song on our setlist was our classic hit, Yeah Yeah Yeah. As the music started, I felt a rush of nostalgia. We sang the lyrics with passion:

I thought
True love for me existed in fairy tales
And two hearts could never beat as one
(Two hearts could never beat as one)

And then one day
You smiled at me so sweetly
And changed my life completely
Now my life has just begun

He makes me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah, yeah
The boy makes me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah, yeah

My whole world has turned around
Feet planted firmly on the ground
Since he came
Came my way
And I know he's here to stay
(Here to stay, here to stay, here to stay)

It's amazing
The way my life is changing
I'm so happy since I found this special boy
(So happy since I found this boy)

I wanna shout it
(Oh)
And tell the world about it
I'm in love and I
I can't help it
For the he's the one for me

He makes me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
The boy makes me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah

My whole world has turned around
Feet planted firmly on the ground
Since he came
(Since he came)
Came my way
(Came my way)
And I know he's here to stay

You know I never felt this way before
(Yeah, right)
(Sure)
I'm not playing, really
Sometimes boys plays so many games
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're right)
(You're right about that, that's true)

You know what I'm talking about
But this boy he's different
(Save the drama)
I'm serious
He's different
He's sweet, he's smart
And he's cute too

And most of all
He loves me
He really loves me
He really, really loves me

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
He makes me say
Yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

He makes me feels so good inside
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
He's my boy
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
He's the one

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
He makes me say, say
Yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
He's so true to me
I love him, yes, I do
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

The crowd sang along, and I could see the joy on Akrice and Lapetra's faces. It was like we had never been apart. We moved seamlessly into our other Motown hits, each song bringing back a flood of memories.

Then it was time for a special moment. "Please welcome Babydoll and Tiara!" I announced. My heart swelled with pride as they joined us on stage. We had one last song to perform together.

What I need from you is understanding
How can we communicate
If you don't hear what I say
What I need from you is understanding
So simple as 1-2-3
Understanding is what we need

You don't really know me
You just wanna do what you wanna do
That's not the way it should be, no
You should listen to me, boy
(You better listen to me, boy)
I try so very hard to make you understand
But the choices you make, baby, they're all demands, oh

I try so very hard to keep our love alive
But you don't wanna meet me halfway
Then the understanding dies
There's no way that we can work it out
If we don't pull together
I don't mean to be demanding
But I want some understanding
I wanna be with you

What I need from you is understanding
How can we communicate
If you don't hear what I say
What I need from you is understanding
So simple as 1-2-3
Understanding is what we need

I listen to you, baby
And I know the things you're going through
I try to understand
That's why I'm still with you, baby
(I'm still with you)
See, every day we're living
Is one thing that will always be unsure
That's why I need you, baby, pleading, baby
Please let our love endure

I try so very hard to keep our love alive
But you don't wanna meet me halfway
Then the understanding dies
And there's no way that we can work it out
If we don't pull together
I don't mean to be demanding
But I want some understanding
I wanna be with you

What I need from you is understanding
How can we communicate
If you don't hear what I say
(If you don't hear what I say)
What I need from you is understanding
So simple as 1-2-3
(Can't you see, 1-2-3)
Understanding is what we need

All I need, all I need
All I need is understand
How, if you don't hear what I say
Can't you see...
Ooh ooh

I try so very hard to keep our love alive
But you don't wanna meet me halfway
Then the understanding dies
There's no way that we can work it out
If we don't pull together
I don't mean to be demanding
But I want some understanding
I wanna be with you

What I need from you is understanding
(Understanding)
How can we communicate
If you don't hear what I say
(Please hear what I say)
What I need from you is understanding
(Come on, baby, come on)
So simple as 1-2-3
(It's so simple as 1-2-3)
Understanding is what we need
What I need from you is understanding
(All I need from you)
How can we communicate
(How can we communicate)
If you don't hear what I say
What I need from you is understanding
(Understanding)
So simple as 1-2-3
Understanding is what we need
What I need from you is understanding

Our voices blended perfectly, and for a moment, time stood still. We were on big family, united by our love for music.

As we finished our performance, the crowd's applause was deafening. But the night was far from over. "And now, it's time for the Jackson 5!" Tichina said with excitement.

Michael and his brothers took the stage, and their performance was nothing short of spectacular. The energy in the room was electric as they sang as they sang their hits. Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived-Michael performed the moonwalk  for the first time. The crowd went wild, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for him.

After the show, I found Michael backstage. "You were amazing," I told him. "That moonwalk was incredible."

"Thanks, Tisha," he said with a shy smile. "I couldn't have done it without the support of loved ones like you."

As Michael's fame continued to grow,  I was there to support him every step of the way. Our relationship was a testament to the power of music and the bonds it could create.

That night at Motown anniversary was more than just a performance; it was a reunion, a celebration of old friendships, and a reminder of the magic that happens when we come together to create something special.