MJEternal

"Michael was a perfectionist beyond your wildest imagination. Every time we would shoot, he would call me and we'd have a two-hour conversation to discuss what it was we were going to do and how we were going to go about it. He had pet tarantulas; they actually shed their skin. This is the casing of the tarantula that he brought with him."

"He never traveled with a big entourage. He was very genuine and really loved photography. I dearly miss him. He was a tragic individual but an amazing human being." - Greg Gorman

"He was so much fun to be around. We’d laugh so much. He had a great sense of humor, loved practical jokes… We’d be walking along and he’d break out into song. But not like Michael Jackson. 

He would sing like it was a man in the shower, just singing. I hated to see that joy go out of his life because he was a very joyful person. He was a happy person and just great fun to be around. 

When I first met him, he had a red corduroy shirt and black pants on and loafers that were kind of broken down in back. That’s the way he dressed most of the time when I knew him. When he wasn’t in public. 

New Michael Jackson Mural in LA:

Yesterday I went to see the progress on the new MJ mural at The Graff Lab.  The mural was gorgeous and almost done when I arrived there.  I met the artist, a nice young man who hails from New Zealand.  His name is Owen and he painted the mural completely with spray paint with a little assist from his wife, Erin,  who was working on the background/sides. The mural should be completed as of this writing.

Owen has been an MJ fan for as long as he can remember. He decided to come  to LA to do a mural of MJ.  He was very surprised that there were not more murals of Michael here in LA, as am I!!!  Owen was told that he could do the mural at The Graff Lab and he chose the 'Dangerous' eyes for two reasons, one being that the "Dangerous" album had always spoken to him and more importantly because he wanted to portray Michael in a way that no one could judge him.  As he has felt and I agree, that people are always judging Michael on his looks and not seeing who he really is.  So he chose to paint his eyes.  The part of Michael that spoke volumes to all of us.  Those gorgeous chocolate orbs that truly were the windows to his soul.   As I spoke to Owen and was looking at the mural,  I caught myself gazing into those eyes and again I was drawn in to them.  Owen has done great justice to Michael's eyes and I for one, am happy and thankful that he chose to share his talent with us.  

While some may miss the previous mural which was also impressive on it's own, it is nice to see a new incarnation of Michael on this huge wall at The Graff Lab.  Tomorrow, August 1, there will be an unveiling of the mural along with the Thrill The World dancers.  If you are in town, tomorrow or any other time, I suggest you get out to The Graff Lab and see Michael's beautiful eyes.  You won't be disappointed.

"Everybody has many facets to them and I’m no different. When I’m in public, I often feel shy and reserved. Obviously, I feel differently away from the glare of cameras and staring people. 

“There is no greater blessing than dancing and performing. It is like a celebration, and when you are caught up in that place, where certain performers go when they become one with the music, one with the audience, if you are on that level, it is like being in a trance, it just takes over. 

You start to play off each other and start to know where you are going before you get there. They have got to know where you are taking it and respond. It’s like playing Ping-Pong. It is like when the birds migrate and they all know where they’re going. Or like a fish…they are telepathic, they are on the same line. That’s what happens when you perform, you are at one with the musicians and the dancers and the music and you are in this trance…and, man, you got them. They are in the palm of your hand. It’s unbelievable.