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street)...
(Text
: Richard Lecocq / Photos
: Alexandra Justamente)
Tuesday, Nov. 14th 2006
Travelling with Max is quite an experience. I really recommend you that. I'll have to write some article about it someday. Max is a friend. He's an MJ fan who's never ever seen his hero live. We really had to work on this, and WMA 2006 was just the right event: right time, right place. We had to embark on that journey, our bag filled with the best cookies and stuff we needed. Max was ready for that. As if all the things he'd been through were just keys he had to find and keep all along the long road he had to walk on before reaching his goal. And we were just on our way to achieve this there: in UK, homeland
of the Teletubbies & Elton
John.
As soon as we arrived in London, we had a few missions ahead: collecting our tickets for the show, meeting with Alexandra, and eating, too... In no way did we have to reverse any of those missions. Alexandra works as a professional photographer. When she heard about WMA 2006, she instantly wanted to be a part of it. So she got in touch with me and this is how we finally organized this trip to London to cover this event (Alexandra takes the pictures; I write the article : Deal!). It was just all about being there, to see, or should I say see our
hero again.
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04.pm Earl's Court Arena.
There aren't that many fans around. We can see a few of them with those MJ flags on their shoulders, trying to get the info everyone would like to get. The information desk is packed with young ones who joke and laugh. They are here to distribute all the tickets you can think of: internet orders, lottery tickets... you name it. I booked a ticket for Max on See Ticket.com. No worry; the magic
piece of paper
is safe. We had to make sure the accreditation thing was okay. Our contact, Claudia, had secured two acreditations for Alexandra and me. Earl's Court Arena, right side of the building, Gate E. Several journalists from different countries are waiting for this huge black door to be open. Finally, some guys open that door. We have to split into two lines: UK media on the left, other ones on the right. One after the other, we are allowed to walk in. Several assistants are waiting for us behind some basic and rough desks. They are here to greet and assist us. We kindly answer all
kind of questions. One of the guys tries to define what we actually want to do/cover during the show. Alexandra and I stand still, but we are talkative enough to clearly express what we want to do. We finally end up with the sacred red pass. Once you wear this, you have total access to: the red carpet, show, rehearsals and press room. Actually, there are two other passes: the pink one (red carpet only) and the green one (press room only). Now that we're all set, we make it clear that we're mainly here to cover Michael Jackson's appearance. And to make it even clearer, we ask if he plans to rehearse today. We are told that, well, he should come tonight and start to rehearse around 8.pm... But anyway if that should happen, "No one would be allowed around the stage while the King of Pop is rehearsing..."
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Well, all we have to do now is wait. We think it's a good idea to see what's going on in front of Hempel Hotel (the place Michael decided to stay
at). Michael is here; many fans are here too. They shout, they sing, Max
and I are not
fond of this... This is why we decide to go back to Earl's Court Arena. We wait. We watch. We look around. Nothing around. We can see a few cars driving by. Some people going in and out. We can't see anything... Well, almost: actually, we try to get close to the security booth, for there is that small TV screen. We can see it's been filming the
action onstage. We can see there are a few dancers rehearsing... Maybe Chris Brown's dancers. Well, we can't say much about what we see, for it's not that clear. And right now we are hungry. Time to embark on our Fast-Food UK Tour 2006... After that, time to sleep.. Tomorrow is another day...
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Wednesday, November 15th :
Fans have arrived! Max and I can't believe what we see. You can even see some of them who actually slept in front of the venue!!! I am
not sure
that can be defined as an "act of bravery," but anyway, those lucky ones get special treatment: they receive yellow passes + bonus numbered stamps on their hands so that they can have access to front stage.
Alexandra and I are now thinking about the red carpet: we had to be there and get the best spot we could. So: 02.30 pm: ultimate rendez-vous, united, solid as millions of rocks.
Time to work on that after-party thing. Where are those tickets? We only have a very few hours left. High time to locate the tickets and the venue. The After Party is organised by MJJ Forum and MJ News Online. Max and I decide to lead the hunt for the tickets. The day before, I read in some newsletter that the tickets were to be sold at some Conrad Hotel, located in some far-from-the-underground-and-bus area. The "seller" is staying in some suite and is said to be there to greet fans and sell tickets. When we finally get to that hotel, a clerk is greeting us right in front of the building. Time for us to step back: "No, there are no tickets for sale here. The person you mention left the suite this morning...".
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Ok, what's next then? What about checking Café de Paris, where the party is going to be held? On our way to Café de Paris, we call there and some lady tells us that the party has been cancelled... Or at least, "won't be held tonight"... Well, can that be real? We have to see for ourselves... Café de paris: front door: a very, very brief note confirms that the party will not be held at Café de Paris and that further information will be published on MJ News Online website
later today... Well, unlucky as we all are, we have to confront our deepest hunger. It is time to order and eat all kinds of Whoppers we can find at the nearest Burger King! Once we are finished with our french fries, we have to go back to Earl's Court Arena. Alexandra is more than ready. Her camera is filled with film. I'm telling you, the girl is ready!
Time to enter the press area on the red carpet. People start to fight there: everybody wants the best spot. We find ourselves in a strange situation where all kinds of people pretend we are all close friends, like we went to school together and all... Some people could sell sacred things to take somebody else's spot. Well, things just go smoothly... Jokes and laughs start to fly around. That brings quite a warm atmosphere, but that is not enough. It's so cold, and we realise how stupid it is to have come here with no gloves! Red Carpet is scheduled for 05.pm... Of course, it will start later. Around 06.pm, things really begin.
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A few "celebrities" and "stars" come and go... Chris Brown is the actual first real "performer" to be seen on the red carpet. He smiles,
signs autographs, and answers questions addressed by MTV and BBC journalists. I hear him say he's really gonna perform Thriller and adds : "I don't know what Michael plans to do, anway you'll see..." Ok Chris, thanks Chris. I could go on and list you al the performers and non-performers we got the opportunity to see... But well, I wanna stick to the main thing : Robert Cavalli, MJ's stylist tonight (and his stylist for the future, we have heard...) came on the red carpet all by himself. He was sure ok to strike a pose for all of us. Beyoncé never showed up, and I really wonder what actually happened : several options: a/ She was disguised like Roberto Cavalli. Well done! b/ She slept inside Earl's Court Arena, thus meaning Sony BMG and WMA Producers have invented a new way to lower costs with their toplist artists. I started thinking about a c/, but we actually don't have time.
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It's 7.50 pm...
Fans are cold... We are all cold... And no Michael on the red carpet... Hey, wait a minute... What's this black car that's just arrived? And all these people popping up on the other side of the carpet? And what about those fans sceaming... louder... and higher pitched... ? Well, here he is! I guess we can see him. Oh my God! I'm not cold anymore. Same thing for Alexandra.
7.50pm
:
Michael
Jackson
Arrives
!
What are all those cameras dancing on the carpet ? They look like hundreds of fish swimming across the ocean... It just comes and goes... Yes, no... Well, now, seems like Michael wants to greet the fans. He has decided to please the crowd tonight. And what a crowd, what a frenzy! Michael walks back to the red carpet... Yes, a little bit closer... Yes, here he
is, for good! He's here and walks in our direction.
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Michael Jackson is walking all the way on the red carpet. I mean, the King of Pop! Here! See what I mean?!? It's been quite some time since I last saw him. I hadn't since 1999's MJ & Friends concert in Munich. We can see Michael tonight, just 5 meters away from us, and he is just gorgeous. And one more time, I realize how tall he is.
His
presence
and aura
are
out
of this
world
His shoes make him look taller, but the man is just tall, period. It just goes so fast. Michael greets the fans, stops, strikes a pose, blows a kiss to the cheering crowd, puts his hand on his chest... and smiles. And what a smile! Michael is thin; that surprises me a little... But his presence and aura are just out of this world. Something that does not fade throughout the years. Just like a wonderful painting with colours of goodness and simplicity... That helps us forget the arrogance and obvious selfishness of the previous guests. I want to make that clear. MJ could arrive and just walk through the carpet: Diva-style.
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He is just the opposite: he is Love, happy to be here, trying to listen with unfaked attention to this poor MTV guy. Alexandra has been shooting the action since the beginning. She instantly wanted to be a photographer since she experienced the BAD Tour
in 1988: she attended several concerts, and this unparalleled magical tour sowed the seed of Love for photography in her soul. Seeds grew and now she is a professional photographer. So tonight, seeing Michael Jackson and being able to shoot him as the star of the day is actually a life's dream come true...
Michael
smiles !
And what a smile
!
And it keeps on going so fast. Michael and his crew go up the stairs and are walking inside the venue. Man! Second red carpet inside! But Michael is not interested in striking a pose there. All the photographers and cameramen who had been fighting for good spots all day long disappear like butterflies flying over a cotton field. I realize I stood too long outside in cold London. I
can't even move my legs anymore... and I feel almost blessed when I finally realize my feet can still walk... So I run, jump and get inside the venue, trying to find Alexandra. I can see she's already inside. So we show our red passes to all the security people on the way, and well, at last: inside Earl's Court Arena.
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The show is about to begin. Massive announcement: Beyoncé kicks it off. "Déjà vu" is just the killer opener we needed. Beyoncé delivers a stunning performance. But right now I'm busy looking around: correct crowd. I can see some empty seats here and there, but that's okay. I heard some 10,000 people came here to see the show. No, 10,000 people came to see Michael Jackson. I really wonder how many people would have really come if there were no Action Jackson tonight. The King of Pop is nowhere to be seen. He is not in that VIP area I can see on the far right. Alexandra and I are now looking for a decent spot to take pictures and watch the show. We can only step up on some very formal stand where dozens of photographers already have their NASA-like equipment in full action. We realize it sure will be hard to find a place here. We try to see if things can be better right close to the first rows: too many flags flying around. Cool, but we need something else.
Back to the sound/light control point. We climb on some formal stairs trying to watch over the crowd. And the show goes on... Lots of awards and performers, but it's as if all people's minds are somewhere else.
People want nothing but to see Michael Jackson. You can't deny it. Between each performance/award, you can hear them chanting: "Michael! Michael!" And I'm thirsty. So is Alexandra. We get some energy drinks. Well, not that tasty... I call Max on the phone; he's right up at the balcony. Before I got into the arena, we switched our digital cameras. Now I can look at his job: I can see that he filmed Michael's arrival on the red carpet. Man: mindblowing! He thought about it. I mean: I took, pictures the closest I could, and he filmed the action the best way he could. It's just self-explanatory; that just kills me. Our photo + video work now represents cherished fan memories. The crowd is screaming so loud that I can't hear him on the phone, so I send him a text message. And the show goes on (Part Two!). Beyoncé is back on stage, another performance. Well, she's the queen of the show tonight. Long pause... Now it seems like something's going to happen.
People want nothing but to
see Michael Jackson
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10.30 pm. Chris Brown is on stage. Time to pay tribute to the King of Pop. He's in charge of reproducing the "Thriller" video on stage. He sings and dances to the instrumental version of the track, available on many records and CD's. He can hardly follow the music and forgets some of the lyrics. He misses some steps of the elaborate Michael Peters choreography. The man wants to do well, but that won't be enough. You can't have MJ's talent. CB
leaves the
stage and
Beyoncé, back and beautiful, pronounces some kind of moving speech: a very good introduction to the Diamond Award. Surprisingly, no video as an introduction to the King of Pop's achievements is shown. Right after Beyoncé's speech, Michael Jackson arrives to receive his award. He emerges from nowhere, and the audience just goes wild.
He is classier than ever. And he has something to say:
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"I am greatly humbled by this award. It was my dream that Thriller would become the biggest-selling album ever. And God has answered my prayers. I thank God and you for this success.
I would like to thank my wonderful children, Paris, Prince and Blanket for their unconditional love and support and my mother and my father, my brothers and sisters, my entire family for their love and support.
I dedicate this to the so many who have loved me and stood by me throughout my 42 years in the entertainment business. I love all the fans from the bottom of my heart".
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Michael leaves the stage with his award plus a special certificate the director of Guinness World Records has just given him. People ask for more. But Michael is gone. "And now... Rihanna !" And I can hear the crowd booing her... Very disrespectful attitude from the fans of the man who wrote "Heal The World"...You can see Rihanna working hard onstage. She goes through her latest hit, "Unfaithful." First row people say they saw tears in her eyes, and that was not for the song's sake. I understand that no matter who would follow MJ's award speech, this would be a difficult moment anyway... Rihanna is gone, time to wait for the finale.
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I can see a sheet of paper listing all performers. And I get some confirmation: Michael is to be back onstage. He is listed as "performer" on "We Are The World." As soon as I realize this, the familiar soundtrack to this monster anthem is played in the Arena. A group of kids is on stage, sporting white T-shirts with this very simple phrase: "The Time Is Now For Love and Peace." What is listed as a performance really looks like a karaoké demonstration, especially since we hear the original ad-libs of James Ingram as recorded on the album version of "We Are The World." What kind of audio material did they use?
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The King of Pop is finally back. As soon as he steps on the stage, we can feel nothing much is going to happen. He uses his microphone and starts to sing. Quite hard to hear him, but well, he tries to cover the album version of the song. And his voice is just superb. He sounds great. He goes into a falsetto at the end of the chorus... But.. Fade out. Music is off, and the engineer cuts MJ's mic...
...And turns it on again when he goes and says a classic "I Love You." The kids keep on jumping around him. Michael steps forward and goes to the front section of the stage, right close to the first rows. Suddenly, he takes his jacket off, and throws it into the audience. |
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Michael steps forward
and throws his
jacket into the audience
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Monster battle in the first rows: a few fans fight like wild animals (no comment). Alexandra,
who tried to
check the Press
Room and see
if it was open to
journalists
during the We
Are The World
segment, has
just had a kind
of tough time
with some security
people who actually
seemed unaware
of the actual
pass color
system. But
now she is back,
shooting the
King during
the rest of
his performance
from the main
press area (located
right just in
the middle of
Earl's Court).
And
now, Michael is back on the main stage. Before leaving, he goes for some "How you doin'," just like in the good old days. He's off. That's it. I hardly realize what's goin' on. One thing for sure: Michael Jackson is fit. Good Spirits. Superb. One other thing for sure: he didn't want to do anything that could get close to a performance tonight. Why? How? Quite hard to know and understand, but I could feel the media would not miss that one. Alexandra and I get our stuff back. Time to get out and try to find out where Max is. He must be waiting for us already.
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First comments between fans: Superb MJ, Non-Artistic MJ. "Maybe he's too into his new songs now," says Alexandra. "Ok, but why is it that he's listed as a performer then?" I ask. "Well, he 'performed', you can't deny it. You may like it or not, but that's another question," says Max as a conclusion. This performance had some impact on us all, that's for sure. As the MJ After-Party was cancelled, we had our own KFC-MJ After-Party! And discussions continued: Michael had all the audience in the palm of his hand. People would have gone nuts even for a mere moonwalk. And I'm personally desperate to see he didn't take the best of it to kill the audience. Michael seemed to be happy to be here but he had no time for talking about performing tonight. That's what we understood. Too bad. Alexandra wants to go for a walk and see what's going on at the Hempel Hotel. Max and I are just too tired for this. We go for some night bus odyssey (well, that's some funny thing to do too!). Finally, Alexandra won't go to the Hempel Hotel either. Good Night London.
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Thursday, November 16th : Some Epilogue
It's raining. Well, nice setting for a nice ending. Max and I try to recover. This crazy night had us going to bed around 3.am. Alexandra is leaving London today too. But her train leaves later than ours. We all plan to see what's goin' on in front Hempel Hotel (again!!!). But, as we arrive at the metro station, we learn there are some technical problems on Circle and District lines. Some cable is not working as it should be or whatever. So, time to embark on a non-stop marathon around London: try to go to Harrod's and catch your Eurostar with the remaining lines if you can... And we make it. That would be too long to explain how we made it, and here we are now, seated in this long train, ready to leave.
More discussions in the train: we went to London, we saw it, and now we're on our way back home. Even if Michael's performance surprised us in some kind of way, we were sure that no matter when and where he would perform and play an arena or stadium (world tour or not), we'd be there.
The Magic Continues...
(c),
2006, MJ
data bank
/ Alexandra
Justamente.
(MySpace
Alexandra Justamente)
All Rights Reserved.
MJ
data bank &
Alexandra Justamente
wish to thank
Claudia Lang
& Yannick
Bouchard for
their kindness,
patience and
dedication.
Special Thanks
to Shena King.
Thank
you !
Additional
photo by Richard
Lecocq (header
- right)
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