Michael And Me

I have to admit to being excited. I didn’t think I would be, but I am. Why? Because Michael Jackson is coming to play some shows in London. Never mind the utterly bizarre press conference he gave (michaeljacksonlive.com/video.php - possibly the most pointless four minutes since ‘Viva la Vida’) nor the alleged kiddie fiddling, nor his obvious mental derangement – it’s Michael Jackson. MICHAEL JACKSON! When I was growing up, I wanted to be him (this was waaaaay before the kiddie fiddling allegations, I’ll have you know). I even used to have a little MJ costume – a faux leather jacket, a single glove, white skin – and I used to write songs that contained lyrics like ‘c’mon’ and ‘ow!’. I’m not joking. Much as I like to claim Bruce Springsteen as my first musical love, it was actually, technically, MJ. A friend’s parents bought me the cassette of ‘Bad’ for what must have been my seventh birthday and Dangerous was the first CD I ever owned. My parents bought it for me for Christmas. I even used to own the three disc Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five megamix compilation that blended a whole load of early songs together. I don’t know where that is any more, but it was ace. And I’ve been watching his videos on YouTube all day – there’s an amazing live version of ‘Dirty Diana’ (which you can watch here) that features some crazy haired female guitarist chasing him around the stage. It’s awesome! Honestly. I’m being 100% sincere – the man was an amazing entertainer and those early songs (up until ‘Bad’) are, whatever music you’re into, undeniably fantastic. They’re exactly what pop should be about. So I’m seriously considering shelling out an extortionate amount of money to see him live. Because I never have. And if I don’t, I never will and I think I’d probably regret it – however bad or frail or lacklustre he may be on the night. I’m actually really, genuinely, honestly excited about it – because, whatever his eccentricities and problems, he’s probably partly the reason I’m doing what I’m doing today. And I love him. He loves me too. He said so at that press conference. And who am I to oppose such a powerful force?