My own close encounter with Michael Jackson
As a child growing up in the 1980s there were two legendary music stars who really stood out from the crowd. They were Michael Jackson and Madonna.
My brother was the Michael Jackson fan who went for those albums. I was the Madonna fan (go figure!!!)
To this day I like both artists’ music. A lot.
I had a ‘close encounter’ with Michael Jackson in 2002. Seems like a long time ago and indeed it was.
I was working with Henrietta (who is the longest follower of this blog and the prior three incarnations of it) at a high level consulting firm in central London. I had a junior job and spent much of my time at that company in various adminny / cover type roles. I have good memories of that job and the people there.
Anyway. We had a very senior MP who was also a senior partner in the company. Household name, perfectly nice (though her PAs would call her ‘extremely high maintenance’). She had been exceptionally high up in government and was still extremely well connected as you’d imagine.
Well, it was a long hot summer, work was quiet and Parliament was on summer recess. She asked us if we’d like a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster. Not to be conducted by her, but another MP. Was to be a bit of a private, ‘behind the scenes’ tour, something an ordinary tourist couldn’t do. Seeing it as an excuse to get out of the office I opted to go, as did a few colleagues.
It was interesting in its own right as I had never entered the hallowed home of British politics before. And the Palace of Westminster is quite something, very impressive both inside and out. Reeks of power – old and new. So we had a decent guided tour. We were even taken up Big Ben and were able to stand behind the clock face itself which was quite fun. The most almighty din when the bell chimes, but you would expect that.
Anyway. Towards the end of the tour we were being shown something or other, it was either the House of Commons or of Lords, I forget which. We were walking along and bumped into what I can only describe as a ‘rather vibrant small party’ of people being given their own VIP tour of the Palace. Only, this wasn’t any ordinary group of people or of VIPs – this group consisted of Michael Jackson (sans the hat or face mask), David Blaine, Uri Geller, Patti Boulaye and the former exciled King of Yugoslavia. We all, quite literally, did a double take.
And because we were being shown around by an MP – and because there were virtually no MPs in the House as Parliament was on recess – MJ’s VIP tour guide insisted on MJ talking to the MP showing us round. So they chatted. For about 5 minutes. No crowds, no mass security. His party of a dozen people and our party of about 8 people, standing together as a group. I don’t think I’ve ever been that dumbfounded before or since. And I had to try soooooooo hard to stop staring. Was quite amazing (and yes, he did look v weird up close).
The 5 minutes passed and then each party went its separate way. A memorable occasion.
I too met him, but when he was a child around 1968 or 69. It was before the fame and it was only a small encounter. So sad and too young. He was a nice boy.
insider53
June 26, 2009 at 11:47 am
gosh, what a strange day yesterday was. First, Yasmine – a Belgian gay presenter and singer – committed suicide; then Farrah Fawcett died (not so unexpectedly) and then the King of Pop. Mercury retrograde or what?
Very fascinating encounter with the King of Pop.
Was Hen with you on this one?
lulazoid
June 26, 2009 at 11:50 am
Insider – yeh, he changed a heck of a lot all through his life it seems.
Lula – yes, a most strange day yesterday was with all those high profile deaths. I couldn’t quite believe it when news began to break about MJ.
I don’t think Hen was with me on the trip. She was in a fairly high powered job at that company and probably wouldn’t have been able to drift out for several hours the way I could. She ran all the IT, facilities, building, etc.
Milo
June 26, 2009 at 11:53 am
Wow, what a great story.
Trio of passings; in the US, the King of Pop’s would make it a quartet.
David Carradine. Ed McMahon. Farrah Fawcett.
sittingpugs
June 26, 2009 at 12:44 pm
RIP
Dan
June 26, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Never met MJ but I mourn his loss all the same.
savvy08
June 26, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Michael Jackson, Thank you for your music. Rest in peace! Chris Partland http://www.MichaelJacksonMemorials.com
Chris Partland
June 26, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Wow…
I mean…
Wow…
UrbanVox
June 26, 2009 at 1:37 pm
That’s a great story. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
June 27, 2009 at 6:51 am
Sittingpugs / Dan / Savvy / Chris – thank you!
UV – lol!
Ryan – welcome! Was just a little anecdote and before I knew it they’d made it the featured blog post on wordpress.com and a huge slew of traffic came in. Surprised me. That lasted about 1.5 hrs and then another blog was featured.
Milo
June 27, 2009 at 9:44 am
That.is.pretty.cool.
I’m impressed.
Mrs BN
June 30, 2009 at 9:59 pm
MrsBN – thanks! Did feel like a big deal at the time. Seems like ages ago now! I guess it was!
Milo
July 1, 2009 at 11:14 pm
The news made me very sad, even though I’ve never been a fan. I do like “Scream” though!
Enrico
July 3, 2009 at 1:33 am
Enrico – I like most of his music. Yeh, he was truly talented, unlike much of the manufactured crap we get these days (I listen to almost nothing contemporary, as I’ve mentioned to you before).
Milo
July 4, 2009 at 6:03 pm