Bappi Lahiri wishes making Michael Jackson sing his tunes

Varanasi, Oct 16 (UNI) Bappi Lahiri, the pioneer of disco music in Bollywood, who is also accredited with bringing sizzling singer Samantha Fox to Indian film music, now aspires making another famous American pop star, Michael Jackson, sing his tunes.

''I met Michael when he came to Mumbai a few years back and wanted him to sing for me. But MJ's stubborn wish to have the golden 'Ganesha' locket adorning my neck poured cold water on a prospective tie-up,'' Bappi told newspersons here today.

In the city for the shooting of the special Diwali episode of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs' to be telecast on ZEE TV on October 28, Bappi Lahiri said he has made Samantha Fox perform for the 1980s Bollywood film 'Rock Dancer', followed by his association with Apache Indian and M C Hammer.

Next on the cards is a number in the forthcoming Bollywood film ''Diwana Hoon Mai Tera'' sung by British singer Boy George -- more famous for his female looks, Bappi added.

''The dream of making Michael Jackson sing my tunes still remains unactualised. Its fulfillment is possible only when MJ does not demand my golden Ganesha locket, which I consider to be my 'Raksha Kavach','' quipped the music director, also famous for the 'golden weight' he carries in the form of boundless jewellery.

On his 'golden weight', Bappi Lahiri confided it was the quest of immitating pop and country music idol Elvis Presley that has made him endlessly passionate about the golden sartorials.

The musician, who owes his musical genesis to the tabla learnt from master percussionist Shanta Prasad Mishra ''Gudai Maharaj'' from Banaras Gharana, now wants to exhibit his tabla playing skills in the final episode of 'Little Champs.' ''Even my mother Bansari Lahiri was a classical singer associated with the Banaras Gharana and now I want to once again show the audience the special tabla playing skills I learnt in Kolkata during my childhood from Gudai Maharaj. Maybe the final episode of Little Champs renders me that stage,'' Bappi's thought found support from none other but the show's melodious anchor Shaan.

Terming Diwakar Sharma, the 14-year-old, promising singer from New Delhi as his favourite Little Champ finalist, Bappi Lahiri dubbed the show anchor Shaan, as the best among the current breed of singers by saying ''Shaan is excellent.'' The disco king, however, was not very positive over the present generation of music directors. ''I think A R Rehman is the best among the young musicians, who generally lack originality,'' said Bappi.

''Compositions of music directors of the past including Laxmikant Pyarelal and R D Burman were like a test match, while the music composers now prefer playing one day matches by compromising on originality,'' he signed.

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