DIARY 05/11/09
If you were one of those million with a ticket for the Michael Jackson marathon at the O2, I am now doubly, trebly sorry for you. His death was a shocking tragedy and, now I’m home after seeing the This Is It movie, I can tell you that you would have had the night of your life. The detail MJ attends to is astonishing. It is tough being leader of a band and crew and all others around you, on the team. At that level, MJ was sensational. See it if you can, and if you care at all about great Live music. The band – all from the top drawer, as you’d expect (check out the young white English girl guitarist, Greek surname, but maybe from London?), and no sign of a mime or click-track or tape to these experienced eyes.
Critics had led me to believe MJ might not have all the dance moves at 50. He had. Completely. Awesome moves. And he led from the front. Never asked dancers to make a step he couldn’t himself execute. He was all over that enormous production and he shone like few in the rock world ever will. He was touched, all right. You will watch a man at work who was not, in any visible, discernable way, close to death. He sizzles. What happened?
Great to know so many of you have responded positively to the new website. Andy has done a fine job. The internet is scary: too much freedom out there for many with no self-control and little or no knowledge; too easy for Chinese whispers to spread. Hit that send button a second too early, a nanosecond before the thought has finished evolving in your mind, and boof, boof, trouble. We’ve experienced nasty accidents in the past. My team have to try to prevent similar happening, stuff that can hurt a man’s career.
2010 UK tour taking serious shape. Date list up soon. We hope. And I hope it will be worth waiting for, just like this updated site, which took much effort and attention to detail before going Live. Anything worthwhile is like that, I reckon. MJ paid close attention to detail. He was astonishing. Catch it if you respect and enjoy Live performance at the highest level.
SH
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written by Gustav , November 05, 2009
Very interesting post, Steve. I wasn't much of an MJ fan but I will go see the film now. I think I can guess what happened to him. I am 50 years old in a few months and work hard at keeping in shape. If I was pushed - by ambition, desire, talent, whatever - and assisted perhaps by the odd pain-killer, I could very likely perform physically as I might have when I was 20 years old. However, my body would begin plotting a sabotage. And I would not and should not be surprised to find myself seriously injuring myself at some point. MJ was physically gifted but he was not a young man, and he was probably training very, very hard. Let that be a warning to ... me!
written by Stella Day , November 06, 2009
MJ's guitarist was Australian-born Orianthi Panagaris
She has a fansite too Steve.
written by John Offord , November 06, 2009
My family had six tickets to see one of the shows and obviously from the film we are now going to miss a great show, probably the greatest of all time.
Like the new website and now looking forward to the 2010 UK tour dates.
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