Author: Fred Colby

October 30, 2003 : On the occasion of Halloween and following the release on the Internet of the single What More Can I Give , Michael grants again an interview to Rick Dees for the radio KIIS FM.

On October 30, Michael Jackson got up early (no easy job for Michael who readily admits to being nocturnal) to talk with Los Angeles disk jockey, Rick Dees. Michael talks about his plans for Halloween trick or treating with Prince, Paris, and Blanket and his favorite candy, among other things.

You can check it out at http://www.rick.com/. You are going to love it! Below follows a transcript of the conversation:

Rick Dees: Hey Buddy, I miss you.

Michael Jackson: I miss you too.

Rick Dees: Aww, you looked great the other night on tv the other nigh and also, before we get into this world premiere, a lot of people are calling for this already. Thank you so much for allowing us to premiere it.

Michael Jackson: What a wonderful man you are. Thank you so much.

Rick Dees: Oh, you’re so welcome. Are you on the ranch now?

Michael Jackson: No, I’m out still doing some business out of town.

Rick Dees: I can barely hear you.

Michael Jackson: Still doing meetings and things. I’m not back in California yet, I’ll be there soon.

Rick Dees: Good, good deal. So you obviously don’t get up at seven twenty in the morning do you?

Michael Jackson: No [laughs] I usually work all night. I usually go to bed this time.

Rick Dees: Mike You’re a night person. Last time I saw you had stayed up all night and written about four different songs.

Michael Jackson: Yeah, I’m very nocturnal.

Rick Dees: Yeah, you’re a very nocturnal guy (laughter). This is your day coming up I mean If it’s not Halloween for Michael Jackson then it’s not for anybody.

Michael Jackson: [laughs] Right

Rick Dees: Are you going to go out and trick or treat?

Michael Jackson: Yes, I’m going trick or treating. Taking my children.

Rick Dees: Do they have costumes?

Michael Jackson: Yes.

Rick Dees: What are they? We’ve got Prince and Paris and Tito?

Michael Jackson: Prince, Paris, and Blanket. Prince wants to be the black panther. And Paris, who is the girl, she’s a tomboy. She wants to be spiderman. And the little one wants to be spiderman too. And I’m going to be a ghost.

Rick Dees: Oh yeah!

Michael Jackson: [laughs]

Rick Dees: This ghost. Listen if you get a chance, I mean you’re in the neighborhood, I have these huge beautiful candy apples and the long, huge, candy bars – the ones that no one gives out, the movie size candy bars like you serve at your place there, so come on in..I’d love to throw down a little something for Prince and Paris and the Ghost.

Michael Jackson: Oh, they would love it!

Rick Dees: Do you have a favorite chocolate, Michael?

Michael Jackson: I like.. uhm … believe it or not, milk chocolate.

Rick Dees: You said milk chocolate?

Michael Jackson: Yes [laughs].

Rick Dees: I love milk chocolate

Michael Jackson: Me too [laughs].

Rick Dees: You know what I did this week Michael? I um, I have to confess – these kids came by here and sold 1,000 dollars worth of chocolate to the radio station.

Michael Jackson: Wow.

Rick Dees: I said I was donating it to charity. I did all except for 30 candy bars – I’ve been eating chocolate for thirty days. Every morning. I’ve got this thing about milk chocolate.

Michael Jackson: You ate the candy? [laughs]

Rick Dees: I ate the candy!

Michael Jackson: I’m sorry [still laughing…]

Rick Dees: Last time I was at your place I was got so hungry and this chef goes in here and I could smell this wonderful vegetarian pizza all afternoon and – there’s candy everywhere at Neverland. There’s candy everywhere in your home. I love that. I just love that. When you walk into Michael Jackson’s place it’s fresh candy and there’s the fragrance in his home – it’s a cross between chocolate and vanilla and there’s a kind of buttery smell and fragrance – I could definitely hang out

Michael Jackson: Well you’re welcome anytime.

Rick Dees: Thanks! Thank you so much.

Michael Jackson: You’re always welcome.

Rick Dees: Did you have breakfast yet?

Michael Jackson: Pardon? [Laughter]

Rick Dees: What’s that? He doesn’t know what that is?
Listen Michael, we have this bet going on and you can certainly tell me ‘No’. I’m going to end up playing ‘Thriller’ a tremendous number of times between now and this time tomorrow. And of course, your world premiere. People are calling for this song over over and over – ’What More Can I Give?’

Michael Jackson: Oh, God Bless them. It’s for the children. It’s so important.

Rick Dees: I’m trying to get something for the kids. Is there anyway you can say, “Hey what’s up. It’s Michael Jackson with Rick Dees as my Halloween gift to you. Here’s Thriller”. Obviously, I’m going to warn you in advance, I’m going to tape it if you will say that.

Michael Jackson: Okay, I’ll do it for you.

Rick Dees: Okay, here we go. Use your own words if you want but with good energy like you’re on the Mike Douglas show for the first time.

Okay, 3 – 2 – 1

Michael Jackson: Hi, this is Michael Jackson with Rick Dees, Halloween. This is Thriller – enjoy it.

Rick Dees: Good, now just say 2003 Halloween.

Michael Jackson: Okay, 2003 Halloween with Rick Dees.

Rick Dees: Awwww! [claps] That’s like heaven. Okay. That one lost the bet. I was saying you probably might not do it.
Let’s go back to the song for just a second. It’s been some time putting together. And did it come to you at once or was it something you were working on with the tune and everything for a period of time?

Michael Jackson: No, it just came at once. Uhm, art of songwriting is a totally different art. It really is. It really is a gift from God. It really is. I feel guilty putting my name on it. It falls into my lap. It’s a gift from Heaven. It really is.

Rick Dees: It’s just a gift, isn’t it?

Michael Jackson: It really is.

Rick Dees: Wow, so between now and the holidays are you going to stick around home, you gonna head back to Haveynhurst avenue ever?

Michael Jackson: Uhm, I think we’re going overseas.

Rick Dees: Yeah, so much goes on over there. Once you hit the tarmak like in London or Paris, it doesn’t stop, does it?

Michael Jackson: It doesn’t. We go to London, and Ireland, and then we go over to Africa and then we come back.

Rick Dees: Where do they get the craziest? I saw some shots in the Budican also in Japan where they’re carrying people out and everything. Does it get craziest in Japan or where?

Michael Jackson: To tell you the honest truth, Rick: It’s the same wherever we go. It really is. The love and appreciation is so wonderful. The fans are so happy and animated and it just touches my heart. It’s love. I pray is what I do. I thank God.

Rick Dees: Any word on whether or not you’re going to put together a tour for 2004 or is it too early to tell?

Michael Jackson: I don’t think so. We are really concentrating in other areas now. You never know, it might be a special event for something.

Rick Dees: Good deal. We’ll certainly keep it open for you.
All those beautiful babies, are there plans for any more babies in your life?

Michael Jackson: Oh, I’m going to have a big family. I wanna have more and more children -I’ll double my father

Rick Dees: You wanna beat your dad?

Michael Jackson: I am.

Rick Dees: He’s the father of our country.

Michael Jackson: [laughter]

Rick Dees: Michael Jackson is here -doesn’t it feel great to hear it on the radio?

Michael Jackson: Yes.

(CBS) For most of his life, Michael Jackson has been in the spotlight, most recently because of what has been described as bizarre behavior -— bizarre behavior that has now led him to be charged with sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy. If convicted, he could spend 20 years in prison.

Now out on bail and awaiting trial, tonight Michael Jackson speaks out for the first time about his arrest, his accuser and the charges that have, for the moment, made his life a shambles.

We sat down with Michael Jackson on Christmas Day at a hotel in Los Angeles –one of several cities where he has been in seclusion since authorities in Santa Barbara officially charged him with seven counts of sexual molestation and two counts of

Ed Bradley: What is your response to the allegations that were brought by the district attorney in Santa Barbara, that you molested this boy?

Michael: Totally false. Before I would hurt a child, I would slit my wrists. I would never hurt a child. It’s totally false. I was outraged. I could never do something like that.

Ed Bradley: This is a kid you knew?

Michael: Yes.

Ed Bradley: How would you characterize your relationship with this boy?

Michael: I’ve helped many, many, many children, thousands of children, cancer kids, leukemia kids. This is one of many.

Ed Bradley: So, when he would come over, what would he do? What would you do?

Michael: I’ll tell you exactly. When I first saw Gavin, he was total bald-headed, white as snow from the chemotherapy, very bony, looked anorexic, no eyebrows, no eyelashes. And he was so weak, I would have to carry him from the house to the game room, or push him in a wheelchair, to try to give him a childhood, a life. ’Cause I felt bad. Because I never had that chance, too, as a child. You know? That the — and so, I know what it — it felt like in that way. Not being sick, but not having had a childhood. So, my heart go out to those children I feel their pain.

Michael says he tried to help in the healing process by taking the boy around the grounds of Neverland to Jackson’s favorite places.

Michael: He had never really climbed a tree. So, I had this tree that I have at Neverland. I call it, ‘My Giving Tree’. ’Cause I like to write songs up there. I’ve written many songs up there. So, I said, “You have to climb a tree. That’s part of boyhood. You just gotta do it.” And — I helped him up. And once he went up — up the tree, we looked down on the branches. And it was so beautiful. It was magical. And he loved it. To give him a chance to have a life, you know? Because he was told he was going to die. They told him. They told his — his parents prepare for his funeral, that’s how bad it was. And I put him on a program. I’ve helped many children doing this. I put him on a mental program.

Ed Bradley: What was going through your mind when you’re taken into a police station, in handcuffs, to have a mug shot taken, that you know is gonna be shown around the world?

Michael: They did it to try and belittle me, to try and to take away my pride. But I went through the whole system with them. And at the end, I — I wanted the public to know that I was okay, even though I was hurting.

Ed Bradley: What happened when they arrested you? What did they do to you?

Michael: They were supposed to go in, and just check fingerprints, and do the whole thing that they do when they take somebody in. They manhandled me very roughly. My shoulder is dislocated, literally. It’s hurting me very badly. I’m in pain all the time. This is, see this arm? This is as far as I can reach it. Same with this side over here.

Ed Bradley: Because of what happened at the police station?

Michael: Yeah. Yeah. At the police station. And what they did to me — if you — if you saw what they did to my arms — it was very bad what they did. It’s very swollen. I don’t wanna say. You’ll see. You’ll see .

Ed Bradley: How did they do it? I mean, what, physically, what did they do?

Michael: With the handcuffs, the way they tied ’em too tight behind my back —

Ed Bradley: Behind your back?

Michael: Yeah. And putting it, they put it in a certain position, knowing that it’s going to hurt, and affect my back. Now I can’t move. I – I – it keeps me from sleeping at night. I can’t sleep at night.

And Michael says there was more:

Michael: Then one time, I asked to use the restroom. And they said, “Sure, it’s right around the corner there.” Once I went in the restroom, they locked me in there for like 45 minutes. They was doo doo, feces thrown all over the walls, the floor, the ceiling. And it stunk so bad. Then one of the policemen came by the window. And he made a sarcastic remark. He said, “Smell — does it smell good enough for you in there? How do you like the smell? Is it good?” And I just simply said, “It’s alright. It’s okay.” So, I just sat there, and waited.

Ed Bradley: For 45 minutes?

Michael: Yeah, for 45 minutes. About 45 minutes. And then — then one cop would — come by, and say, “Oh, you’ll be out in — in a second. You’ll be out in a second.” Then there would be another ten minutes added on, then another 15 minutes added on. They did this on purpose.

Ed Bradley: How did you feel when they went into Neverland, I mean, with a search warrant? I mean, what were they looking for? What did they take?

Michael: My room is a complete wreck. My workers told me. They said, “Michael, don’t go in your room.” They were crying on the phone, my employees. They said, “If you saw your room, you would cry.” I have stairs that go up to my bed. And they said, “You can’t even get up the stairs. The room is totally trashed.” And they had 80 policemen in this room, 80 policemen in one bedroom. That’s really overdoing it. They took knives, and cut open my mattresses with knives — just cut everything open.

Ed Bradley: Did — did they take anything from Neverland?

Michael: I’m not sure what they took. They never gave me a list.

Ed Bradley: But you’re saying that they destroyed your property?

Michael: Yes, they did. And then they, what they did was they made everybody that work at the property —, they locked everybody out of the house. They had the whole house to themselves to do whatever they wanted. And — they totally took advantage. They went into areas they weren’t supposed to go into — like my office. They didn’t have search warrants for those places. And they totally took advantage. And the room is a total, total wreck, they told me. I don’t think I wanna see it. I’m not ready to see it yet.

Ed Bradley: So, you haven’t been back there?

Michael: I’ve been back there. But not in my bedroom. I won’t live there ever again. I’ll visit Neverland. It’s a house now. It’s not a home anymore. I’ll only visit there. What time is it? ’Cause I’m hurting. You know what? I’m — I’m hurting. I have to go pretty soon anyway. Yeah. Okay. I don’t feel good.

Michael goes on to talk about how he thinks it’s all about the money…

Michael: Somewhere greed got in there, and somebody — I — I can’t quite say. But it has to do with money. “It’s Michael Jackson. Look what we have here. We can get money out of this.” That’s exactly what happened.

Ed Bradley: You had helped him with his cancer. What I don’t understand is why today and I know you say it’s money, but why would he turn around and say, “Michael Jackson sexually molested me,” if it weren’t true?

Michael: Because parents have power over children. They feel they have to do what their parents say. But the love of money is the root of all evil. And this is a sweet child. And to see him turn like this, this isn’t him. This is not him.

Ed Bradley: So, you don’t think this comes from him? This…

Michael: No.

Ed Bradley: … comes from his parents?

Michael: No. This is not him. No. I know his heart.

Michael said he would never settle this case.

Ed Bradley: When the accusations that were made, the allegations back in 1993, you were innocent of those allegations then?

Michael: Yes.

Ed Bradley: So — if you were innocent, why would you pay, I mean, to keep you quiet? I mean, why not go into court, and fight for your good name? I mean…

Michael: I’m not allowed to talk on that…

Male Voice: I’m gonna stop you for a second.

Ed Bradley: Sure.

Mark Geragos (Michael’s lawyer at that time): I mean, remember what happened to him ten years ago. He was humiliated. He was — he went through where somebody — was examining him. Was photographing him. Was having him… humiliating him in the worst way in terms of looking at his private parts and photographing his private parts. And — and he was subjected to some of the most, just intrusive kinds of things that you could ever imagine. I can only try to put myself into that situation and — and say look: If money could make that situation go away, maybe that — that was the calculus then. I don’t know and I don’t wanna second guess it

Ed Bradley: But — but what you end up with is the public perception that this has happened not once, this has happened twice. That young boys have — have come forward to accuse him of — of sexual molestation over the last ten years. And he has made public comments about how he enjoys sharing his bed with children. Can you understand how the public might feel that, hey, maybe there’s something here. There’s a lot of smoke.

Mark Geragos: Well, look. There’s a lot of smoke. But a lot of the people who blow the smoke are — are twisting what’s happened. I understand when people say, now, there’s somebody else who came forward. But I — I think, in all fairness, most people ‘get it’. Most people understand that this case is not about anything but money.

Ed Bradley: That British documentary last February — which you didn’t like…

Michael: Yeah, I didn’t like it.

Ed Bradley: You — you said in that documentary that — that many children have slept in your bedroom.

Michael: Yeah.

Ed Bradley: You said, and — and I’m gonna quote here, “Why can’t you share your bed? A most loving thing to do is to share your bed with — with someone.”

Michael: Yes.

Ed Bradley: As — as we sit here today, do you still think that it’s acceptable to share your bed with children?

Michael: Of course. Of course. Why not? If you’re gonna be a pedophile, if you’re gonna be ‘Jack, the Ripper’, if you’re gonna be a murderer, it’s not a good idea. That I’m not. That’s how we were raised. And I met — I didn’t sleep in the bed with the child. Even if I did, it’s okay. I slept on the floor. I give the bed to the child.

Ed Bradley: You’re a parent. You’ve got three children.

Michael: Yes.

Ed Bradley: Would you allow your children to sleep in the bed with a grown man, who was not a relative, or to sleep in the bedroom?

Michael: Sure, if I know that person, trust them, and love them. That’s happened many times with me when I was little.

Ed Bradley: Would you, as a parent, allow your children to sleep in the same bedroom with someone, who has the suspicions and allegations that have been made against you, and about you today? Would you allow that?

Michael: Someone…

Ed Bradley: If you knew someone, who had the same —

Michael: I’m not…

Ed Bradley: — kind of allegations —

Michael: Ed, I — I know exactly what you’re saying.

Ed Bradley: — that were made against you — would you let your children…

Michael: My children?

Ed Bradley: …sleep in that man’s bedroom?

Michael: Mmm, if I — if I knew the person personally. ’Cause I know how the press is, and how people can twist the truth, if I knew the person personally, absolutely yes. Absolutely. I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Ed Bradley: Do you know how this looks to a lot of people? I mean, do you understand that?

Michael: How does what look?

Ed Bradley: How the fact that you…

Michael: Know why? People think sex. They’re thinking sex. My mind doesn’t run that way. When I see children, I see the face of God. That’s why I love them so much. That’s what I see.

Ed Bradley: Do you know any other man your age, a 45-year-old man, who shares his bedroom with children?

Michael: Of course. Not for sex. No. That’s wrong.

Ed Bradley: Well, let me — let me say, from my perspective, my experience, I don’t know any 45 year old men, who are not relatives of the children, who share their bedroom with other children.

Michael: Well, what’s wrong with sharing your bed? I didn’t say I slept in the bed. Even if I did sleep in the bed, it’s okay. I am not going to do anything sexual to a child. It’s not where my heart is. I would never do anything like that. That’s not Michael Jackson. I’m sorry. That’s someone else.

Ed Bradley: What — what has this done to your career?

Michael: What — what has it done to my career?

Ed Bradley: What has it done to your career?

Michael: In what way?

Ed Bradley: How has it impacted — you know…

Michael: I’m — my album…

Ed Bradley: …touring, record sales…

Michael: …album is number one all over the world. All over the world. America is the only one, because I — I don’t wanna say too much.

Ed Bradley: But it’s not number one in the United States?

Michael: It’s a conspiracy. Yeah. I’m getting tired.

Ed Bradley: Michael, what would you say to you — your fans, who have supported you through all of this, and — and who today, some of them might have questions? What would you say to them?

Michael: Well, I would tell them I love them very much. And I — I — they’ve learned about me, and know about me from a distance. But if you really want to know about me, there’s a song I wrote, which is the most honest song I’ve ever written. It’s the most autobiographical song I’ve ever written. It’s called, ‘Childhood’. They should listen to it. That’s the one they really should listen to. And thank you for your support, the fans around the world. I love you with all my heart. I don’t take any of it for granted. Any of it. And I love them dearly, all over the world.

February 2004 : Interview Magazines publishes an interview of Michael done by this friend Brett Ratner.

Michael Jackson – Brett Ratner (Interview 2004)
Sunday, 01 February 2004
Michael Jackson

Interview by Brett Ratner February 2004. Volume. 34, Issue. 1; page. 92

Headnote: DECADES BEFORE ALL OF THE CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES, HE WAS A PINT-SIZE SINGER WITH A BIG DREAM

“Forget your personal tragedy. We are all bitched from the start and you especially have to be hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned hurt, use it-don’t cheat with it. Be as faithful to it as a scientist-but don’t think anything is of any importance because it happens to you or anyone belonging to you.”

Those words of advice, quoted in Robert Evans’s The Kid Stays in the Picture, were given to F. Scott Fitzgerald by Hemingway, some 70 years ago. They are as relevant today as ever.

Speaking of life’s desires, hurts, and euphoria! It ain’t easy being a genius: You do pay the price, not unlike Mozart, who will be remembered far longer than Napoleon.

Michael Jackson understands this irony. No one I have ever met in my life has had such passion and love for entertainment. His work, brilliance, and vision will be remembered far longer than any of those who now think of him harshly.

Michael and I have shared many a day, week, and month together. Our relationship is based on our love of films. We have watched many films together, and our personal favorite that we enjoy most is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! A few months before the latest drama, he and I were on a little vacation. In the past he has often put a video camera to my face and asked me questions. This is what Michael does with his friends: He becomes a scientist and dissects them through questions in order to learn. Many times he has asked me how my childhood dreams became a reality, about why I wanted to become a director. So I decided it was time to hear from him about his childhood dreams.

After my interview, I went out and bought all the records he mentioned and listened to them, understanding a little more about Michael. What you are about to read is a very private and personal conversation between two friends.

BRETT RATNER: Do you have a. mentor or someone who inspired you?

MICHAEL JACKSON: Yeah, I do: Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, James Brown, Jackie Wilson.

BR: And what did you learn from them?

MJ: I learned a lot from them-about how to be a visionary, how to be creative, how to be persistent, how to be determined, how to have a will of iron and to never give up no matter what. You know?

BR: What was your first job in the music industry, and how did you get it?

MJ: First job, probably . . . Gee, I don’t remember back that far. I was around 6 years old. Maybe it was Mr. Lucky’s. I think it was a club-yeah, Mr. Lucky’s. We performed there.

BR: And how’d you get the job?

MJ: I don’t know; my father would know. I was too little.

BR: What was your first break and the first great thing that ever happened to you?

MJ: The real big break was when Motown signed us. We auditioned in Detroit, and Berry Gordy invited all our favorite stars that we saw as kids to this little town in Indiana: Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, and Stevie Wonder-everybody was there. And it was next to this indoor pool at this huge mansion, marble everywhere. We performed, and they just went crazy. They loved it. And [Gordy] says, “Boys, you’re signed.”

BR: Really?

MJ: Yeah.

BR: And you remember that day?

MJ: Oh, I remember it.

BR: What elements of your job make you want to go to work every day?

MJ: I want to work every day- just the idea of creating worlds. It’s like taking a canvas, an empty canvas, you know, a clean slate. They give you paint, and we just color and paint and create worlds. I just love that idea. And having people see it and be aweinspired whenever they see it.

BR: What qualities of yours helped you get where you are today?

MJ: Faith and determination. And practice.

BR: Right. Practice makes perfect. What would you have done differently in your career if you knew then what you know now?

MJ: What would I have done differently? Let me see . . . Practice more.

BR: Practice more?

MJ: I practiced a lot.

BR: You practiced a hell of a lot! [Jackson laughs] But you would have practiced more? [Jackson nods] What’s your greatest lesson learned?

MJ: Not to trust everybody. Not to trust everybody in the industry. There’re a lot of sharks. And record companies steal. They cheat. You have to audit them. And it’s time for artists to take a stand against them, because they totally take advantage of [artists]. Totally. They forget that it’s the artists who make the company, not the company who makes the artists. Without the talent, the company would be nothing but just hardware. And it takes a real good talent that the public wants to see.

BR: What are some of your favorite albums?

MJ: My favorite albums would be Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Claude Debussy’s greatest hits, which is, you know, “Claire de Lune” and “Arabesque” and The Afternoon of a Faun. I love Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, James Brown’s Live at the Apollo, The Sound of Music [soundtrack]. I love Rodgers and Hammerstein. I love the great show-tune writers very much, and I love Holland-Dozier-Holland from Motown they were geniuses. So many great writers. So many great ones.

BR: Any other great albums, like contemporary albums?

MJ: Great albums . . . It’s hard because albums today have one or two great songs and the rest stink.

BR: Or older style-it could be like Marvin Gaye or Sly.

MJ: Sly & the Family Stone-I like everything they do. Stevie Wonder is a genius.

BR: Which album?

MJ: Every one. Talking Book. I love when he did “Living for the City.” I forget the name of it [the album]. Fantastic. I think that was Innervisions-fantastic. Hearing this music made me say to myself, “I can do this, and I think I can do this on an international level.”

BR: Really?

MJ: Really, and then when the Bee Gees came out in the ’70s, that did it for me. I cried. I cried listening to their music. I knew every note, every instrument.

BR: [sings] “This broken heart . . .”

MJ: [sings] “How can you mend . . .”

BR: [sings] “This broken heart . . .”

MJ: And [sings] “How can you stop the rain from falling down?” I love that, [sings with Ratner] “How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the world go ’round.” I love that stuff. And when they did Saturday Night Fever, that did it for me. I said, “I gotta do this. I know I can do this.” And we hit with Thriller. And I just started writing songs. I wrote “Billie Jean.” I wrote “Beat It,” “Startin’ Somethin’.” Just writing, writing. It was fun.

BR: Any posters up in your room when you were a kid?

MJ: Yeah. Brooke Shields, everywhere. My sisters would get jealous and tear them off the wall.

BR: What are the great shows that you’ve seen, concerts?

MJ: James Brown. Jackie Wilson. The real entertainers, the real ones, make you get goose bumps.

BR: It was James Brown? Where’d you see him?

MJ: We used to have to go onstage after him because he would come on and then we would come on amateur hour. So I’d be in the wings studying every step, every move

BR: -On TV?

MJ: No, at the Apollo [Theater],

BR: Amateur Hour at the Apollo. And you saw him perform?

MJ: Yeah, and Jackie Wilson. All of them-the Delphonics, the Temptations.

BR: But do you remember one show? You saw the Temptations, too?

MJ: Yeah.

BR: But was there a show when you said like, “Oh, my God”?

MJ: James Brown, Jackie Wilson.

BR: At the Apollo?

MJ: Yeah, they made me cry. I’ve never seen nothing like that. That kind of emotion, that kind of fever, feeling-it was like another higher, spiritual plane they were on. They were, like, in a trance, and they had the audience in the palms of their hands. I just loved how they could control them like that, that kind of power. When they’d sing they’d have tears running down their faces. They’d get so into it.

BR: What are some of your favorite songs?

MJ: Favorite songs of all time? I love Burt Bacharach very much. Any Motown. The Beatles, like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday.” Any of the Supremes’. All that stuff is great. I think the ’60s had some of the best melodies of all time between Peter, Paul, and Mary, and you know, all those people. The Mamas and the Papas were wonderful. And the Drifters go a little further back, but I love that song “On Broadway”-it’s genius. The simple ones are the best, I think. I love “Alfie”-so beautiful. There are so many. Like movies, there are so many great movies.

BR: So list a few things that could be helpful to someone breaking into the music business.

MJ: Believe in yourself. Study the greats and become greater. And be a scientist. Dissect. Dissect.

BR: You said something else before: Don’t give up.

MJ: No matter what. I don’t care if the whole world is against you or teasing you or saying you’re not gonna make it. Believe in yourself. No matter what. Some of the greatest men who have made their mark on this world were treated like that-you know, “You’re not gonna do it, you’re not gonna get anywhere.” They laughed at the Wright brothers. They laughed at Thomas Edison. They laughed at Walt Disney. They made jokes about Henry Ford. They said he was ignorant. Disney dropped out of school. That’s how far they went. These men shaped and changed our culture, our customs, the way we live, the way we do things. And I think God plants those seeds through people on the earth. And I think you’re one, I’m one to bring some bliss and escapism, some joy, some magic. Because without entertainment, what would the world be like? You know? What would it really be like? It would be a totally different world for me. I love entertainment. And my favorite of all is film. The power and magic of movies. It’s the greatest, it’s the most expressive of all the art forms. I think it touches the soul. Music and movies are the most expressive. It’s almost like religion: You get so involved, so caught up. You go in the theater a different person than you come out. It affects you that way. That’s powerful. I think that’s strong. I love that.

BR: When you can make an audience feel.

MJ: Yeah, yeah.

BR: They relate to it.

MJ: Yeah, they live it. They’re a part of it. They forget they’re sitting in a seat.

BR: The experience of watching a movie affects their life.

MJ: Their whole life. It could change your life.

BR: Yes, I remember seeing Star Wars in the theater when I was 7 years old. It’s a different experience for Paris or Prince [Jackson’s children] seeing it today on DVD, 27 years later. I saw it when it first came out, with all the shock and awe of the time. No one had ever seen anything like it. There were lines for blocks, and I didn’t even get in the first time. I had to go back the next day to try again. The memory of being so desperate, at 7 years old, to see that movie makes it an even more unforgettable experience. The first time you see something like that, it permanently affects your life. It’s like listening to a song or seeing an artist perform for the first time. Getting to see James Brown, and that moment of tears coming out of your eyes, is different than listening to it on the radio 20 years later.

MJ: I can’t tell you how incredible it was. I just love the great entertainers, the great performers, the great showmen, the great storytellers. just watching them, you’re just mesmerized. You’re caught up in it. I love it. One spotlight, baby.

BR: Frank Sinatra.

MJ: Yeah. Those guys are cool. And Sammy Davis. I just love it, the whole thing. It’s magic, it’s real magic.

Sidebar: “I’m one to bring some bliss and escapism, some joy, some magic…Without entertainment, what would the world be like?”
Author Affiiliation: Brett Ratner is a director living in Los Angeles. His first photo book, Hilhaven Lodge.

April 1, 2004 : Michael is presented with a special award from the African Ambassadors’ wives at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C. in honour of his worldwide humanitarian efforts, and particularly for his work in fighting AIDS in Africa (Grace attends the presentation).

‘To His Excellency Olhaye Oudine Roble and Mrs. Roble, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, thank you for your attendance and support. I would like to thank Mrs. Zhor Jazairy, wife of His Excellency Idriss Jaziary, of Algeria, President of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association, and Mrs. Haoua Diatta, Chairperson of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association’s Gala, and the wife of His Excellency Joseph Diatta of Niger. Also, thank you Ambassador and Mrs. Kassahun Aleye, our hosts for the evening, and their dedicated staff. Your Embassy is splendid. And, I would like to thank all of the wonderful spouses of the 51 African Nations, who comprise the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association. I am deeply humbled and honored to be here tonight with you. The African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association was founded 26 years ago, with the mission to provide assistance to programs, benefiting underprivileged children in the 51 participating countries. They have done so much, and need all of our assistance in helping them to continue to make life better for the people in their Countries.

On June 4th, here in Washington, D.C. … the Spouses Association will host their Gala, where the proceeds will go to provide aid to crippled children. I will be supporting them in their effort 100%, and encourage you all to do so.

Over the last several days, I have been meeting with members of Congress. Yesterday, several Ambassadors joined us in our discussion concerning how we can all work together to combat the AIDS epidemic, poverty and other major issues affecting our African family. It is very important to me to help to raise awareness, and funds, for our sister continent… Africa. The statistics are staggering; there are still 9,000 people dying a day of AIDS; there are still children who are overflowing the orphanages; there are so many who are starving and dying of diseases… diseases that we just take aspirin for. As I have said all week, many of life’s pleasures that we take advantage of: running water, electricity, paved roads, working toilets, beds and food, are mere dreams for many in Africa. This cannot continue.

We must use whatever resources we have, to work together to help combat all of these problems. Several members of Congress have pledged their support in our efforts: by continuing to raise the awareness of the American people; and, to continue their fight for proper funding for programs affecting Africa. This is a good thing and we must support them.

Again, thank you, African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association, for what you are doing, I am humbled and honored by this award. And, let me say, you have a friend in Michael Jackson.”

October 14, 2004 : Michael and his spokesperson Raymone Bain call EUR’s Lee Bailey to talk about Eminem’s new video ‘Just Lose It’ and the upcoming “Ultimate Collection” release.

Since the video premiered on MTV, the EUR (The Electronic Urban Rport) web site has been flooded with e-mails expressing outrage over the depiction of Michael Jackson in the video.

Michael Jackson: I wanted to call and say thank you for your support and your loyalty, your caring, everything you’re doing pertaining to this situation. Thank you so, so much.

Lee Bailey: Well we’re just reporting what we’re seeing, and we’d gotten a whole bunch of letters from people who were speaking out against the video, so we just reported that. How are you holding up?

Michael Jackson: Oh, I’m holding up pretty well, day by day. I’m holding up pretty well.

Lee Bailey: I always wonder how you deal with everything?

Michael Jackson: I don’t know. I don’t know. You just pray and keep going. Persevere.

Lee Bailey: Now are you able to work [on music] while you’re going through all of this?

Michael Jackson: Yes, I do.

[BAIN STEPS IN]

Raymone Bain: We have a new CD coming out. ‘Michael Jackson the Ultimate Collection,’ due Nov 16, [with] 57 tracks, 13 new songs, a 64-page booklet, and never-before-released concert footage. And he’ll be out promoting that.

Lee Bailey: Really..[laughs]. You’re not afraid, literally, of going out and promoting it?

Michael Jackson: Noooo, are you kidding. No, no, never.

Lee Bailey: And you have 13 new songs, you said?

Michael Jackson: Yes, these are some of the songs from previous albums. When I do an album, I usually write like 60 to 70 songs, sometimes more. These are some of the songs that didn’t make the album, but they’re very good ones. And there are a couple of brand new ones, too.

Lee Bailey: Now getting back to this Eminem thing

[BAIN STEPS IN]

Raymone Bain: Have you heard the latest? Eminem released a statement, he and Interscope, saying they stand by the video and they’re disappointed that BET pulled it. And MTV came out saying they were going to continue to air it on MTV, MTV 2 and MTV Europe.

Lee Bailey: So Michael, how do you feel about that?

Michael Jackson: Well, I think it’s the wrong thing to do. It should be pulled, it shouldn’t be played. It’s incorrect. [TO BAIN] Did you tell him about VH1?

[BAIN STEPS IN]

Raymone Bain: VH1 sent out a release this evening saying they were meeting on whether or not they’re going to air it. So for them to release something like that must mean they’re more than likely to pull it. I can’t see them releasing a statement saying they’re in the process of meeting on it. So there’s a lot of activity out there, but he’s getting enormous support from the African American community – Radio One, Steve Harvey, and a number of entertainers who have called to offer their support because they feel that it is demeaning and disrespectful.

Lee Bailey: Do you get the sense that Eminem’s not doing this against you personally, but against your public persona?

Michael Jackson: That’s incorrect. I would never do that to anyone, no other fellow artist. It’s no respect. It’s demeaning. It’s appalling, really. It’s not entertainment.

Lee Bailey: Well I totally agree, but would it make a difference in your mind if he said he wasn’t doing this as a personal attack – because I don’t think he even knows you.

[BAIN STEPS IN]

Raymone Bain: Well it is personal, Lee. He might not know Michael Jackson, but when you look at the video, it is personal. He’s taken every aspect of this man’s life and he’s put it in his video. It’s one thing to have a spoof, but it’s another for it to be demeaning and embarrassing. And that’s what he’s done.

Lee Bailey: What I’m getting at is you’ve never done anything to him for him to even remotely want to treat you like that for some personal reason, right?

Michael Jackson: I don’t know him. I’ve never met him.

Lee Bailey: Well, Mr. Jackson, it just seems like everyday, they’re coming up with more stuff, but I gotta give it to you, you’re holding up. Keep on, keeping on.

Michael Jackson: Thank you very, very much. I appreciate everything you’re doing.

Below follows a transcript of Michael Jackson phoning into the MTV Rally in New York on November 11, 2004:

Geraldo: I think we may have on the telephone right now, a surprise caller in his first live interview on Network Television in at least a year, as far as I know. I believe Michael Jackson is there. Are you there, Michael?

Michael: How are you Geraldo… Hello?

Geraldo: Ok buddy, let me ask you… How do you feel, Michael, about the continuing support you´ve gotten from your fans despite all you´ve gone through.

Michael: Well, Geraldo, its because of my fans that I am calling you today. I mean, I feel they are the best fans in the world and I decided rather than having anyone else speak for me that I would do it myself you know. And I want to thank my fans for their strong support over the years.

They could have been anywhere today, you know, and they chose to be in New York in Times Square. And I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. They have written thousands and thousands of letters, and have made hundreds of calls regarding the Eminem video. And I love them so, so much. In London over 4000 people showed up on my behalf.

And I want to thank Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton, Minister Farrakhan, The Source, Steve Harvey, Bob Johnson and BET, Jesse Hughes and Radio One, and all the many others who have supported me.

And Geraldo, I want to also thank you for your friendship and everything, all the wonderful things you have been doing. Thank you so, so much.

I made my feelings clear about the Eminem video. I think that it’s demeaning and disrespectful, and I also want to make it clear that it’s not just about Michael Jackson…but a pattern of disrespect that he has shown to our community. He needs to stop it, and he needs to stop it now.

Geraldo: Michael, let me just say that I support you because I believe that you are getting a raw deal. Not just by Eminem, but in a lot of other aspects of life that I don´t need to mention. But let me go on the positive side for a minute. What do you have coming up? Anything that we can announce to these people? Something that can give them some optimism?

Michael: Yes, I´m always working on wonderful music. I´ve been working on several albums right now, I´ve been working on music today. I´m working on something as we speak Geraldo, and I´m in the process of making plans to do some other wonderful things that I´ll be announcing to the fans very, very soon. And I look forward to that Geraldo, you know. And I´ll give you a call too, soon.

Geraldo: I bet you do, I bet you do. Ok, please do. But before I let you go…anything else you want to say?

Michael: I love my fans, I love you. And thank you so much for being there on my behalf. And thank you Geraldo again, thank you so so much.

Geraldo: Ok Michael, thank you. Thanks for calling in. Michael Jackson everybody.

Michael Jackson Talks To Access Hollywood in the Studio

The below is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access Hollwood’s Billy Bush that aired on Thursday, November 2nd.

Billy Bush: Michael invited me to Ireland, to observe him, as he got back into the studio. Can lightning strike twice for the King of Pop? Michael insisted this was NOT a formal interview. He wanted us to be more like flies on the wall. Let’s face it, the way Michael sees it, when a camera and microphone has charmed its way into his personal space, it has turned out badly for him. So with that in mind, we agreed to just turn the cameras on.

(Cuts to footage of Michael in the studio, and walking around around Irish estate with Billy Bush and Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, with a new track playing in the background)

BB: So this is really a kind of an exploratory mission. You (pointing at Michael) deciding to get back into making music…

Michael Jackson: (Smiling) I never stopped… I’m always writing a potpourri of music, you know, it’s how it is.

BB: (Voiceover) Relaxed, and ready to return.

(Cuts to footage of Michael laughing)

BB: (To Will.I.Am) Let’s hear it.

(Will.I.Am starts playing a track he has prepared for Michael)

BB: (Voiceover) That, is the Michael Jackson we found when Access journeyed over 5000 miles to this classic old Irish estate (footage on screen) outside of Dublin. The stone manor is built to rock with a state of the art recording studio. But it’s because of the beauty of the emerald landscape that Michael chose to be here.

(Cuts to footage of BB in grounds of the estate)

BB: What goes on on these grounds is a lot of exercise and walking and horse back riding. Michael wakes up in the morning, he makes porridge for his kids, which is oatmeal, and fruit. All the food is organically grown here. The amazing thing is, is that the man that is known as the P.T. Barnum of the recording industry (everything done big and extravagant) is really sort of dialling it back… to the roots.

(Cuts to more footage of Michael in the studio)

BB: (Voiceover) Michael is on the search for fresh sounds and Black Eyed Peas leader Will.I.Am is the man with the beats.

(Footage of Will.I.Am and Michael nodding away to a track that is being played)

BB: Will, we were talking a little earlier, you got a phone call on the tour bus, right? Someone said, “Mike’s on the phone…”

Will: I was like, “no, come one, stop playing around.” I didn’t know it. I thought somebody was joking.

BB: So this is like eh, this is baby steps? Of just checking out what may be a collaboration or some work together?

Michael: Yeah, yes.

BB: Why Will?

Michael: Because I think he’s doing wonderful, innovative, positive great music. Thought it’d be interesting to collaborate or just, you know, see how the chemistry works… be wonderful.

Will: This is like, a dream come true for me, you know.

BB: (To Michael) Does he take your advice well?

Michael: (Nodding and smiling) Yeah, we uh, yeah we…

(Will.I.Am interrupts, Michael laughs)

Will: I have… you have to take advice from the King of Pop.

(Billy Bush laughs)

Michael: I like to take sounds and put them on a microscope and just talk about how we wanna manipulate the character of it.

BB: (Voiceover) Will brought something new to the table, while keeping that classic Michael sound intact.

Will: (To Michael about the music playing) Living ‘Off the Wall’ with them kind of strings… (smiles)

Michael: Oh yeah, yeah, ‘Off the Wall’ yes.

(Laughter all around)

BB: (Voiceover) If Michael likes what he hears, he’ll add his own musical touches. But for now, the two (Michael and Will) work the board, weaving out a sound and tapestry – layer by layer.

Michael: Pretend we’re technically inclined. (Laughter all round)

BB: (Voiceover) Do NOT doubt his (Michael’s) tech savvy, Michael knows his way around a recording studio AND our new digital camera.

(Footage of Michael holding a camera from the Access Hollywood crew)

Michael: That’s a beauty. You can edit within the camera…

BB: Film me.

Michael: So s…

BB: Can you operate it?

Michael: Uh, I don’t know, ok yeah… (points camera at Billy Bush)

BB: Are you a technology…

Michael: Yeah, I love cameras…

BB: Love the action?

Michael: Yeah. Love it. It’s a beauty. (Starts to put camera down, turns to crew member) What’s the price of this one on retail?

Crew member: $6,000.

Michael: Wow!

BB: (Voiceover) But what really impressed Michael? Will’s music.

(Footage of Michael bopping his head to the music before it stops)

BB: What you think there?

Michael: They’re very nice grooves…

Will: Alright…

Michael: I like the chords, I like what you did.

Will: That’s a… that’s a club banger.

BB: Yeah…

Will: That’s what they call that one.

(Music starts playing again, Will and Michael move to the music)

BB: (Voiceover) Will’s beats are infectious, and an enthusiastic Michael could NOT contain himself.

(Cuts to footage of Michael moving to other side of studio to dance a few steps)

Michael: (To Billy Bush) Do you feel you have enough (footage)?

BB: I could go forever Michael. (Laughter all round) You don’t wanna ask me that Michael.

The below is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access

Hollwood’s Billy Bush that aired on Friday, November 3rd.

Billy Bush: Yesterday, in Part 1 of my exclusive in-studio visit, you saw a mixed Michael. He chose his words carefully. But when super producer Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas turned on the beats, Michael came alive!

There is no doubt in my mind that Jackson is coming back, but how? Amazingly, he hasn’t really thought about it.

(Cuts to footage of inside the studio)

BB: There was nothing ever bigger than (Thriller) that. That is the biggest album ever.

(Cuts to footage of Thriller video before returning to studio)

BB: If you went back and took it to a second chapter…

Michael Jackson: That’s a great idea.

(Cuts to footage of Billie Jean video)

BB: (Voiceover) Imagine Michael Jackson re-visiting Thriller. Remix, DVD’s, Web Saturation. The sky’s gotta be the limit with the biggest selling album with nearly 100 million copies worldwide.

(Returns to studio)

BB: Is that the first time you’ve heard of it? I mean like, or or, have you thought that…

Michael: No I haven’t really thought about it in that way but I would give it more thought. We haven’t really discussed it yet, on that level, but I’m sure at some point we will. But it’s a great thought.

BB: Feel like I’m a collaborator here.

Michael: Yeah, yeah, you are…

(Laughter all round)

BB: I get a credit…

Michael: You are.

BB: I might get a credit.

(Cuts to footage of Michael, Will.I.Am and Billy Bush walking around Irish estate with new track produced by Will.I.Am playing in the background)

BB: (Voiceover) For right now Michael is focused on creating and not re-creating. And it is right here at this recording studio on the sprawling classic old Irish estate outside of Dublin where Michael has teamed up with Black Eyed Peas leader Will.I.Am to take his music to the next level.

(Cuts back to studio)

BB: Do you see something big with the music that you make again, or getting that ground swell going? Doing clubs and intimate things and getting it bigger and bigger and bigger?

Michael: Jee, you know I’m not sure, on that level.

Will.I.Am: I can answer that direct (as) a fan…

(Michael points at Will.I.Am)

BB: Go ahead.

Will.I.Am: Big!

(Cuts to footage of Michael dancing away to the music before returning)

Will.I.Am: Something needs to put a jolt back in the music industry. And the only thing that can do that is the jolt itself. The energy that sparked the imagination of the kids that are… me, you know, the Justin Timberlake’s, we’re all products of this. (Motions to Michael) So the only person that can put that jolt back in to that monstrosity of entertainment and music is the one who created that. (Motions to Michael again)

(Cuts to footage of Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough video)

BB: (Voiceover) But what about those people Michael inspired…

(Cuts to footage of Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body video)

BB: (Voiceover) …to aspire?

(Cuts back to the studio)

BB: Michael, I would love to hear what you thought of Justin Timberlake or something like that, because he’s the closest thing to Michael Jackson I think today. You know what I mean?

Michael: I think Justin’s doing a wonderful job, as well as Usher (Michael smiles) it’s great to see. I’m inspired by what they do, and I’m sure I’ve inspired them. It’s very nice.

December 30, 2006 : Michael, along with Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Raymone attends James Brown’s funerals held at the James Brown arena in Augusta (Georgia) and makes a speech :

“Hello. What I’m going to say is brief but to the point. James Brown is my greatest inspiration. Ever since I was a small child, no more than like 6 years old, my mother would wake me, no matter what time it was, if I was sleeping, no matter what I was doing, to watch the television to see the master at work. And when I saw him move, I was mesmerized. I’ve never seen a performer perform like James Brown. And right then and there, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life because of James Brown.[fans scream] I love you. But James Brown, I shall miss you and I love you so much. And thank you for everything. God bless you. And I love you”

Michael received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 NRJ Awards. The awards show took place in Cannes (France) and was aired on channel TF1. Michael wasn’t able to attend the awards show in person but he recorded a special message for this occasion:

“Hello to all my friends in France! Though I couldn’t be there in person tonight to accept this prestigious award, I’m so happy to have the chance to send this message to let all my French fans know how much your support has meant throughout the years.

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, Quincy Jones and I embarked on an album named “Thriller.” To be able to say that “Thriller” still holds the record as the biggest selling album of all time, is just mind blowing. I have you, my fans throughout the world to thank for this achievement.

Though this award tonight honours me for my lifetime achievements, there is still much more to come from Michael Jackson. My passion for music has never stopped. And for those who don’t know, I’ve been in the studio recording Thriller 25th Anniversary album, with a lot of surprise guests. It’s my hope that “Thriller” continues to live on for each new generation to discover.

So thank you TF1 and NRJ for this very special award. It means so much to me to be honoured by you. And thank you to my fans. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I hope to see you very soon. I love you. God bless you.”

“The pain… it is bad, really bad… sometimes it feels like a lion took a bite out of my leg!”

Those are the dramatic words of superstar Michael Jackson, after a nightmarish six weeks that propelled him into newfound controversy. Millions of TV viewers watched transfixed as the ‘King of Pop’ dangled his infant son from a fourth-floor balcony in Germany and then, as he hobbled into court on crutches, looking sickly, with his foot mysteriously bandaged and hand badly swollen. And the entire world has been asking: “What’s wrong with Michael?”

Now, in a world exclusive, Jackson is finally breaking his silence about those problems and giving ‘Globe’ readers a glimpse into his secret world! The bite, says the hermit-like ‘King of Pop’, did not, in fact, come from a ferocious lion, but from an itsy-bitsy — yet very dangerous and poisonous — spider.

That’s what Jackson claimed in court and a judge told him to prove it. Now, he’s doing exactly that. Jackson has chosen ‘Globe’ to show the whole world that he was telling the truth, displaying one of the gruesome spider bites — this one on his right leg — to our readers in these exclusive pictures.

“I really was bitten by spiders”, he tells ‘Globe’ in a blockbuster interview. “I have been in agony.”

And Jackson insists it was because of the searing pain caused by those bites that he missed court appearances in Santa Maria, CA, where a concert promoter is suing him for $ 21 million, claiming he backed out of two millennium concerts. And when the 44-year-old entertainer did attend the December court proceedings, he was carried inside with only a sock covering bandages on his left foot and saying that spiders chomped down on his hand, left foot and right leg.

“I didn’t take one pain pill to deal with the excruciating pain”, Jackson proudly tells ‘Globe’. “I have just been dealing with it by meditating. I deal with it and rise above it. Elizabeth Taylor once told me to rise above it when I was nervous to go on-stage. I know that other people who have this are in agony. But I have to rise above it and, like a force, I am doing it. I am rising above it.”

Jackson says a spider sunk its venomous fangs into him one night while he lay asleep at his Neverland ranch in Los Olivos, CA.

“I don’t know exactly how it happened” he admits. “I never saw the spider. I woke up one morning about a month ago and had a big spot on my leg. Pus was oozing out and it hurt terribly. I then had some cultures taken and found out that it was a bite from a very poisonous spider that can even be deadly.”

While some experts publicly scoffed at Jackson’s explanation, doctors who examined him confirmed the torturous spider bite. His personal physician, Dr. Alimorad Farshchian, says it was likely a brown recluse spider, which injects a devastating toxin creating nasty lesions that can take weeks to heal.

“The wound was 6 or 7 centimeters in diameter,” Dr. Farshchian confirms to ‘Globe’. “It was purple with three or four blisters in the middle. Shortly after that, we started treating it and it dried up and became a big scab. It is now in the state of healing. The old skin is now falling off and the new skin is starting to develop.”

Jackson tells ‘Globe’ the constant pain made it hard for him to attend court proceedings and prevented him from attending the recent Billboard Music Awards to accept a trophy commemorating the 20th anniversary of his landmark ‘Thriller’ album. Instead, pal Chris Tucker gave him the award at his ranch which was seen by live satellite feed. And he adds it made it difficult for him to function normally.

“I love to dance so much”, Jackson tells ‘Globe’. “But I haven’t been able to dance for weeks. That is one of the things I miss the most. Things have been getting better slowly but surely.”

Jackson says the bite on his leg is taking time to heal. “It became more of a scab when I was in Germany, getting more tender and a bit smaller”, says the father of three kids, Prince Michael Jr., 5, Paris, 4, and 11-month-old Prince Michael II.

Jackson’s doctor has been treating the ghastly wound on his leg with antibiotic Cipro, which hundreds of Americans took during the anthrax attacks, and cleaning it once a day to prevent further infection.

Under proper care, the wound has shrunk to 3 centimeters in diameter. “Everything is healing up beautifully,” Dr. Farshchian tells ‘Globe’.

“In three or four more weeks, Michael should be able to walk normally and dance again. Michael really heals fast. It’s amazing. It was such a big wound. If it was me or anybody else, it would take months and even surgery to recover. It has been painful and uncomfortable, but everyday he gets a little better. And I know for a fact that he has taken no painkillers to deal with this.”

And a close friend of the entertainer adds, “Michael has been in quite a bit of pain, but he said he would not let it get in the way of work or spending time with his children.”

“One day after he described the pain to me, he spent all day playing with his kids inside and outside the house. We knew it was hurting, but he was trying to act normally with his children as if he was Okay. He didn’t want them to know how much pain he was in.”

And the music giant wants ‘Globe’ readers to know that he is grateful for their get-well wishes.

“I am still hurting”, admits Jackson, “but I am getting through it with the love and support of my family and fans”.