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Access Hollywood Staffers Share Memories Of Michael Jackson
Yesterday was by the far the craziest day I have ever experienced working for Access Hollywood. We have had shocking, unexpected deaths come along in the 13 years we have covered the world of celebrities from big to small - JFK Jr., Sonny Bono, Aaliyah, Phil Hartman, Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger. Never have we seen the death of two pop cultures icons in one day, just five hours apart. I wasn't in the trenches the way our producers and full-time Web staff were. They were working furiously to get the information out and my buzzing blackberry said it all about what was happening in our offices and continues to be happening. It's going to be a long week ahead and my hats off to everyone here for their dedication.
This morning I was up early doing back to radio interviews with stations across the country to talk about the latest news and the impact Michael had in people's lives. The one question that kept coming up was, "What are your best memories of growing up to Michael Jackson or covering him over the years?"
Two stories came to mind.
The first was personal -- one being told across the world. Like so many children of the '80s, I remember standing in front of the TV watching MTV and trying to learn the "Thriller" dance with my girlfriends from middle school.
The second story is about the first time I ever saw Michael Jackson up close and personal. I've done thousands of shoots over the years and most of them have been lost in my memory bank but this one night I will never forget for two reasons. It was the night of the taping of his 30th Anniversary tribute, which was set to air on CBS. It was a two night taping at Madison Square Garden in New York City and on the second night of the taping myself, my crew and several other media outlets stood outside waiting to catch celebrities as they arrived. We were there for hours and it started out a beautiful, sunny late afternoon.
And then Michael arrived with Elizabeth Taylor.
It was the first time I had ever seen him in person. The sight of him mesmerized me and the fans were in near hysterics. His brothers arrived later to tape a reunion performance and I interviewed them about this monumental moment reuniting as the Jackson Five. Gloria Estefan, N'Sync and other artists arrived to pay tribute as well. Sadly, we did not get to go inside. So, we waited for several hours for performers to wrap up taping so that we could to try and grab interviews as they left. The weather suddenly turned from a starry night to a torrential downpour, followed by intense and very scary thunder and lightning like I had never seen before in the city.
Because of this, all the crews decided to leave and miss Michael's exit, as the weather was just too precarious -- as it turned out, it could have been a warning sign from above. The next morning the storm had cleared, it was blue skies and sunshine and then a new unfathomable storm blew in without notice when two commercial airliners hit the World Trade Center. You see...that tribute was taped on September 10th, 2001.
While sad to remember, it made me curious about what stories my co-workers had to share. Several took time out of an insanely busy day to share their memories of Michael:
"We were at Nobu in London and I asked him [Michael} why he liked Nobu and he said, 'I love Chinese food.'"
- Rob Silverstein, Executive Producer
"While working here at Access, I was around Michael in London for the better part of four days back in 2006. I was completely amazed at the power and size of his fan base... thousands following, running, screaming everywhere he went and thousands is not an understatement. At one point Billy [Bush] and I helped him get out of Nobu to his car. Even with all his security, he needed the help. At his hotel, fans lined up through the entire street the entire time he stayed there. They never left. I honestly can't think of one person on the planet that would have such a huge, wild, devoted following. I never really understood how huge Michael was, even with all the good and bad we have heard about him... until then."
- Stephen Harding, Field Producer
"I was obsessed with the Billie Jean video when I was younger. I used to re-watch the video so much, the betamax machine ate my tape."
- Felidette Blasucci, Field Producer
"When I was in high school, Michael Jackson was IT. All of us girls would put together dance routines to 'Beat It.' I even had a black pleather, military style jacket that looked like it was right off of MJ's back! Needless to say, I was the envy of all my friends."
- Ryan Patterson, Supervising Producer and writer of Glam Slam
"I'll never forget seeing Michael at the MTV VMA's in 2001 in Lincoln Center. It was the year that MTV renamed their Video Vanguard Award after him. 'NSYNC was performing their song 'Pop' and right at the breakdown a silhouette was outlined on the Etch-a-Sketch background of the stage. The refrain from 'Pop' turned into 'King offff Pop' and out popped the king himself, showing off his signature moves while Timberlake beat-boxed. It was one of my most exciting performances I had ever seen - the crowd went nuts!"
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1614843/20090626/jackson_michael.jhtml
- Jeremy Blacklow, Managing Editor, AccessHollywood.com
I am shocked. It is so unbelievable. To the Jackson family I would like to extend my deepest condolences.
What a fabulous entertainer whose successes will never be surpassed. I have listened to Michael for 45 years so when I can't say my heart is truly broken.
To the entire family and espciallyt Janet be strong for I know this the most difficult moment of your lives. We will pray for you to be strong and I know you heart is broken.
We will never forget is music!! We will never forget his style of dance!! We never ever.....ever forget.
Thank you for sharing Michael with the world!
RIP IN PEACE DEAR MICHAEL
My husband and I are from the "Baby Boomer" generation, born in 1950, and we are so saddened by Michael's death. We loved him, his music, and his ability to create magic on-stage. We enjoyed him from the time he was a little boy performing in our living rooms on TV, and all through the 70s, 80s, 90s and on until his death. He put MTV on "the map" in the early 80s and set the standard for all MTV music videos that followed. We never believed any of the accusations against him and knew he would be vindicated, as he was. God Bless Michael. WE HATE TO LOSE HIM! WE HATE TO LOSE HIM! WE HATE TO LOSE HIM! He was truly a gift from God.
Love and Blessings to the Jackson family,
Doug and Gayle Y., Arlington, Texas
Finaly I can tell my memories of Michael jackson..
the whole world is watching de tv and is reading the papers of M.J. Maybe he is alive, Maybe he is murderd, Maybe he is not the father of his childeren...
Please grow up...
and remember this, he is working from his 5th year. always busy and never playing with friends.. I don't blame him for his -somtimes- weird choises or actions..
I hope that he is happy now, where he is... and that he can find the love peace en most important a normal life!
lets remember the good thing he did for us, but alsow the weak childeren, homeless childeren, the different colours of people who he worked with..
just with all my love and respect!
Michael thank you for this!
For those of us who loved Michael Jackson, we will forever remember how our lives were defined by him, his music, his essence. On a thousand different levels we were affected. A gentle being filled with a passion for his beloved music and his millions of fans. When he soared with greatness we were enthralled. When he fell from grace, we grieved. There has never been his like, nor in my opinion, will there ever be. And now there is only a silence and a vacuum that once was filled by him. I did not worship Michael Jackson, that is for the Creator alone, but through his music and his gentle spirit, Michael Jackson most assuredly was living proof of God's myriad blessings. The world was blessed with his music and indeed his life. For those that hate him, judge him or simply remain indifferent, no amount of posting, blogging or commenting will change your mind and that is a pity. I loved him from afar like millions of others and the heart of my youth contains Michael Jackson and that is where he will forever stay. Michael's journey is over and he is at peace. The rest of us continue on ours. Sadly. Without him. Hearing only the silence of what once was Michael Jackson. My heartfelt prayers go out to his children, his family and to everyone that loved him.
praying for the jackson family. michael was an icon for many but to his family he was just "michael". he may be gone(unbelieveable) but he is in a better place. good luck to the jackson family & they should abide to what michael wanted in his will. with love, laura
I feel bad for the Jackson family and my thoughts and prayers go out to them.However I have seen on the news that they are asking for donations to help pay for the funeral because the state can't pay for it. My question is, when I die my family has to pay for it, so why does Michael Jackson's family not have to pay for it?
Thanks, Wendy