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How I Met Michael Jackson
Image by Shavar Ross
Written and uploaded: November 1, 2005
©by ShavarRoss.com
This is a true and accurate account from my experiences meeting Michael Jackson. It is not meant to degrade or character bash him in any way. To a certain extent, I am still very much a fan of Michael Jackson. You must draw your own conclusions as to the true purpose or nature of me revealing this story. Either way, it’s all therapeutic for me and I’ve always wanted to share this, one of many amazing stories from my life.
Now don’t you go run and tell everyone what I’m about to mention to you. Only kidding…um, I think. Anyway, in the short 34 years of my amazing life, I have experienced a heck of a lot. So far my life has been one of fame, fortune and fun. I have also experienced many dangerous and perilous times in my life….the near death experiences, the confusion and the lack of peace. Ah, those were the days. I’ve come to learn that life is like a movie…you’re its star, there’s always someone watching and if you’re a "good guy," you always win.
I”ve also had the opportunity to meet and actually spend some valuable time with a lot of famous people. I’ve prepared for a scene with Oprah Winfrey, "read lines" with First Lady Nancy Reagan, performed on stage with "Mr. Television" himself, Milton Berle, played pick-up ball with Denzel Washington, slept over Nina Simone’s house, compared hand sizes with Mike Tyson, walked the halls of Muhammad Ali’s mansion, took a picture with Sidney Poitier, and even jammed on drums as Clarence Clemens from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band blew away on his saxophone. I have been around, lol!
Now the ONE person I really got nervous about meeting was Michael Jackson. So here goes this story. I’ll try not to be too long so hold on to your coffee!
Alright, the photo above is a photo of when my father used to work for Joe Jackson’s (Michael Jackson’s father) music company (in the old Motown Building on Sunset Blvd.) back in the mid 1980′s. My dad was always trying to manage my career, his career, and just about anyone who would give him a chance to prove himself a true hustler—from The Bronx. He was a "mover and a shaker" as they say, and it always seemed like everyone knew my father. Somehow, someway, he ended up workin’ for the "King of Pop’s" pop.
I actually met Michael Jackson twice. The first time was at his home in Encino, California when I was about 11. My dad was good friends with singer Betty Wright at the time. Anyway, she ‘s the "Clean-Up Woman." She also had a short comeback in the late 80′s with a song called "No Pain, No Gain."
Betty wanted to drop a music demo tape off to Michael so I went along for the ride. I remember us waiting at the front entrance of his home (in Encino, California) and he actually came out to the running car to pick up the tape, lol. All I remember was that thick, big, red robe he wore and that high-pitched voice. Man, he and Diana Ross sure did sound alike! End of episode 1.
Gosh this is long already, I must write a book…I will right a book!
Episode 2. Jump cut to: I was 14, so 1985-ish. The Roxy on The Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. The whole Jackson siblings are seated in the balcony to preview Joe Jackson’s hottest new kid group— an almost complete replicated version of The Jackson 5. The place is jumpin’ and I’m there, in the middle of it all.
Look, over there, oh snap! There’s my friend Alfonso Ribeiro, The Tap Dance Kid and hot off the Pepsi commercial he did with Michael. Boy, can he dance. He’ll always be Carlton from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" to some though.
Anyway, I had heard that Janet Jackson was there (in the balcony) and since we were friends from the show "Diff’rent Strokes," I asked Alfonso if he could take me up there to her and also introduce me to Michael…again! Like it wasn’t nothin’, and after getting through some heavy security, I arrived with Alfonso to that balcony…oh that balcony, I’ll never forget it! They were all there. Rebi, Latoya, Janet and the King of Pop himself–and all strangely giggling amongst themselves. Must’ve been "inside" jokes. They were like kids. I couldn’t believe my eyes, that I was in Michael’s presence, so I froze. Alfonso grabbed me and pushed me towards Janet as if he were forcing his best friend to go to the high school prom with his dateless sister. She didn’t notice me right away but guess who did? Michael screeched in a high pitched voice, "Oh I remember you, you’re on the show with Janet, right?" He called out to his sister, "Janet guess who’s here? it’s your little friend Dudley…" After Janet and I had a nice reunion, I got to meet Latoya and their other sister Rebi. Then, uh oh…the show is starting! (present tense) "What should I do?" I thought.
Lights out. Then, like a movie playing itself out:
Michael:
(to Shavar)
Come sit down, sit down, watch the show with us.
Chairs pull up. Hmmmm…how did Alfonso find his seat so quickly. "He’s been up here before" I thought. Michael surprisingly pulls up a chair for me! Wow, I’m stunned! Lights even darker now. Intro. Applause. Music. The show starts. Why it’s The Jackson 5 all over again. No where near as good though.
My only goal: To get one good look at Michael Jackson before the night is over! I am literally sitting RIGHT next to him and mind you, this was the mid 1980′s. Michael was HOT at the time. In between the strobe and spot lights, I glance at him. It’s unreal! I mean, HE’S unreal…literally. He had what looked to be the perfect face, yet so porcelain, so surreal. I got a bit scared and nervous.
For the whole set I just stared at him, in such awe of this man so famous to the world. I tried to figure out how his powerful influence could have so many people ridiculously in tears, sobbing and crying hysterically in his concerts.
For a brief moment, Michael must have felt me hawking my eyes at him. I just couldn’t help it.
Michael:
(to Shavar again)
Could you move to the left just a little bit. I can’t see.
He DID seem to really be enjoying the show….and that imitation Jackson 5 performing? I could care less! I was sitting next to Michael Jackson!
And lastly, to make a long story even longer, the boring show finally came to an end but surprisingly to an almost standing ovation! Standing ovation? What? Was Michael standing too? More giggles.
Smash cut to: Kid imitation Jackson 5 group coming up to the balcony to meet Michael! Michael inviting them to his home AND to Disneyland. Close up: Me hearing it all.
Silence. Waiting for my invite. Silence again. Nothing. No nice meeting you, no nothing. I turned my head for a quick second to look for Alfonso and the Jackson Clan had disappeared! Poof! Like right out of thin air! That’s when I realized that celebrities have an art to their grand exits. It’s all very stealth. Then the announcer said something to the effect that Michael, Janet, Latoya and Rebbie had "left the building." Depression, dejection, rejection and everything else you can fill in seem to settle into my 14 year old heart. I was devastated. Michael didn’t invite me to his DisneyWorld.
I finally found Alfonso. "You didn’t go?", I asked intently. "Why didn’t he invite us?" I hammered Alfonso again. "Oh ’cause we too old man…we teenagers now and if you over 12, he don’t like you no more," replied Alfonso. Alfonso laughed it off but I still didn’t understand him. It would take me nearly 20 years to understand what he meant and even now I am still not sure what he meant by that statement.
That night, and all throughout the entire night, I found myself sobbing hysterically to the point where I made myself literally sick to my stomach. I threw up several times and thought I was gonna die because I got to sit next to Michael Jackson.
In hindsight, maybe it was all for the best that I never got invited, who knows…(June 25, 2009, but may he now rest in peace).
June 26, 2009: Note: Just know that Michael Jackson inviting me to sit next to him beats Disneyland with a bunch of kids any day.
©November 1, 2005
ShavarRoss.com
(subject to future edits, corrections, etc.)
–Photo not mine–
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