Dieter Weisner
(Dieter Weisner is a former manager to Michael Jackson)
The biggest entertainer of ‘em all has gone and has left behind memories- some bitter, but mostly sweet.
Full Coverage: Goodbye Michael Jackson »
It was in San Francisco that I first met Michael Jackson in 1993. I was working in the merchandise business and I offered to show him 94 beautiful products. We hit off well as he made me his merchandising man.
In 1996, I went out with him on the HIStory tour. He held 120 concerts around the world and it was unlike anything that I have seen before. Every country we went, including Bombay in India, went berserk even before he touched down. It was a really successful and satisfying endeavor and he was very happy to know that millions still adored him around the world.
Michael was really the megastar that he is made out to be. He knew exactly how to handle his stardom and how to take it forward. But personally, he was a very shy guy. He was not comfortable in the company of strangers and liked to keep to himself.
It is not entirely wrong when people say he was a twelve year old child, who died at the age of fifty. Michael Jackson was child-like: he loved kids and played with them like he was their age, he loved gifting people toys and kept himself in the wonderland of Neverland.
That aspect of his personality made him a humble person. His gracefulness was visible to everybody- his staff, friends and fans. He had the ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn’ air about him when he performed on stage or on camera but in reality he was a genuine friend of those he knew.
Michael and I became very good friends and he invited me to his ranch and asked me to be his manager in 2002. I couldn’t have been happier.
Managing the King of Pop is, undoubtedly the biggest assignment that any PR person can get. Managing him was a full 24/7 task that demanded complete attention and focus.
And it certainly was not easy to keep him out of bad press. ‘Living with Michael Jackson’- the documentary made by British journalist Martin Bashir- was the biggest PR disaster for MJ. It showed him as a pedophile by cleverly editing out the other parts where the journalist praises Michael as a great father.
From that day onwards, I believe, Michael began to die. I never saw Michael as down and out as he was when the allegations of molesting kids came up against him.
Then we made a rebuttal video that turned the whole affair around and Michael was very happy. He then released the song 'What More Can I Give' for which he got the 'Music Radio Award' in Las Vegas. That it was symbolic needs no pointing out.
But it was not over yet. We were in the Mirage Hotel of Las Vegas, with MJ and his three kids shooting for a new video, when the news of authorities conducting a search at Neverland, broke.
I had a feeling that this could end in a disaster if something was not done immediately. It was the most troubling moment that Michael was in and I was at the helm of the affairs for him.
It was my responsibility to give him the news. I went to his suite, he was sitting by the fireplace and I told him I got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the County Sherrif was searching the ranch, but we can fight this and you can stop this once and forever, I told him.
Michael broke down completely and it took three days before he recovered stronger than ever and ready to fight. There were all sorts of spokespersons and lawyers who were not related to MJ but were giving statements during that time. Really, there were so many people who were ready to link themselves up with the King of Pop for any reason. We put a rest to it by issuing an official statement.
Then as all good things come to an end, Michael and I parted ways due to some differences but never ceased to be friends.
In 2008 I heard about his comeback tour- This Is It. That was quite a surprise because we knew he would never stage such a comeback. Clearly, his financial conditions forced him into it. But 50 shows? I thought that was a bit too much. He could have done one or two shows but given his poor health, fifty was an impossible figure.
While we waited patiently for his concert in London’s O2 arena, the devastating news of his death arrived. I was and am shocked beyond words. It was simply unbelievable and took a lot of time to sink in that Michael Jackson, the super-duper star, was no more.
Two weeks before he died, I talked with Michael on phone and told him how his fans were so worked up about his concert. I was surprised to hear that he wanted me back.
I don’t believe there is any foul play behind MJ’s untimely demise but an investigation will reveal the truth. In the end, I think his lifestyle caught him- prescription drugs, exhausting practice sessions for ‘This Is It’ and loneliness above all. He was surrounded by people who encouraged his drug habits and even he began thinking that he gets good ideas when on dope.
The most endearing memory of him for me would be the way crowds upon crowds of people reacted to his presence. And this was in each and every country he went.
Michael Jackson is no more, but there is little doubt in my mind that he will be remembered as the most exciting superstar and Legend forever.
RIP MJ.
As told to Shashank Chouhan of Spicezee.com
Full Coverage: Goodbye Michael Jackson »