A legend named Michael Jackson or how the King of Pop changed more than one life
A gift for all the money
It was a classic school day and I was looking forward to getting home to start enjoying my birthday.
I arrived home in the afternoon after school and my mom, who had arrived home early from work to surprise me, was waiting at the door.
It was unusual because she usually stayed longer at the office. But something was different.
I had my favorite treats, baby champagne, and a special envelope ready on the kitchen table.
I threw my school bag in the corner as usual and sat down at my desk.
With sincere congratulations on my 10th birthday, my mom hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and handed me a card, neatly written.
When I opened the card, 2 tickets fell out for the incredible Michael Jackson concert that was to take place on September 7, 1996, at Letná Place in Prague.
I was left as if scalded by tea, without a sign of a word, just staring at the green printed tickets that were supposed to get me closer to my favorite singer live. I couldn't believe it, but my heart was cheering and my rapid breathing was sending me into an incredible euphoria.
I had 3 months to prepare myself, especially mentally, for such a once-in-a-lifetime experience that kicked off my passion for his music in full force. Even though I knew most of his songs by heart from a very young age and danced like a happy child imitating his unique creations, I had no idea what madness would be in store for me among the other older fans who were dying of desire just by looking at his beautiful smile.
The moment calls...
My mom and I arrived in Prague a day early to check into a cozy apartment in Vinohrady, Prague 2, rented by a friend at the time. It was a beautiful attic and modern furnished apartment where we could rest and recharge our batteries for the next day.
On the day of the concert, we left quite early because of the traffic restrictions on the metro.
After we arrived at the gates, we couldn't believe our eyes when we entered Letna Plain. People were lying by the barriers in sleeping bags, with backpacks full of food and drink, wearing modern fads symbolizing Michael Jackson, as if they were competing to see who was the biggest fan of the King of Pop.
I had to keep holding my mom's hand so we wouldn't get lost somewhere in the crowd. Our seats were in the boiler room near the stage. Inside the area, there were various booths and souvenir stands. Back then, the prices were relatively lower than today, but we still couldn't afford to spend too much. The tickets themselves were already quite expensive. But I didn't mind at all because the most precious souvenir I took away in my memories.
The rise of a legend
The evening hour was approaching when the greatest legend of all time was to perform.
Every moment the crowd went wild, cheering, calling out, and looking forward to his arrival. My heart was racing, my eyes darted all over the venue, the sky, the people, and goosebumps ran down my spine.
When suddenly the stage split open, lights started flying across the sky like strobe lights, people raised their hands above their heads and screamed at the top of their lungs. My eyes lit up in amazement.
The video projection began to present the arrival of our King in an eye-catching way, visually arriving in a rocket and appearing as a statue in a gold jumpsuit and classic arrival protectors on stage. It was a breathtaking entrée.
When the first notes of the screeching speakers began to play as a cue for the fans, even more cheering ensued. Anyone who loves this artist to the core recognized that this was the song "Scream", which he phenomenally sang with his sister, also a famous singer, Janet Jackson. People were jumping on the spot, screaming with excitement, and singing along, word for word.
Each song had a unique and elaborate entrance by the entire band, the vocal accompaniment, and the King himself, who was renowned for his perfectionism.
I tried to stand on my tiptoes to see at least a little of the plasma screens that took in every view of him. Every expression, movement, and singing moment was an enriching experience.
When we got about halfway through the concert, when the unforgettable taste of a Billie Jean song began, when Michael brought out a plain briefcase and gestured with his glittery glove, black jacket and hat, whole groups of people began to mingle in various ways, pushing as far forward to the stage as they could to record it on camera or close-up, and letting themselves be absorbed by this symbolic performance.
Since I was tiny at the time, I tried to keep the moms as close as possible, as the entire audience consisted of insatiable freaks who were breathing for this event. Suddenly, I gasped and the wave of fans carried me a good distance away from my mom with their force. I didn't have the strength to get back, because with the crowd I suddenly found myself a good few feet out of Mom's reach, balancing terrified on the spot.
Mom put on a protective attitude and started fighting like a lioness to get back to her in front of the crowd. She screamed at the top of her lungs, waved her arms, and used her own body to crash into the masses of people pushing forward, and regardless of the pain in her legs and the tears in her eyes, she engaged a couple of Slovakian guys cheering nearby to air-feed me towards her. It finally worked.
I breathed a sigh of relief and my heart slowly returned to a calmer rhythm as I finally got out of the chaos that had scared me quite a bit.
The rest of the concert was relatively calmer as Michael began to share emotional sing-along hits in the form of "Stranger in Moscow", "Earthsong" and "Heal the World". His meaningful songs always came with a point, a message to the world or an opinion that managed to get under your skin with its content. His abnormal vocal skills were like a balm to the soul, caressing you every time. The whole concert seemed to be built from one big story that Michael told us.
I knew most of the songs by heart, but since I didn't speak English at the time, I didn't understand them until I was an adult. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't play his immortal songs in the background while I'm stressed at work, cleaning, or just taking a walk outside.
The whole musical upheaval lasted 2 hours.
Interspersed with the concert was a lovely talk to the fans about his endless humility, love, and devotion to the people who recognized his personality and artistry around the world.
His wide smile, cheerful nature, and dance creations were the spice of the entire performance that belonged to him.
Indeed, there was no time for fatigue either, as Michael was able to convey his energy exquisitely and without ceasing.
An end full of emotions
As they say, everything must come to an end. And that was the approaching end of the concert.
I didn't want to leave, I could have stood there in convulsions for hours. My mom bravely waited with me for the last musical encores that were supposed to let us know it was time to go.
The King of Pop said his goodbyes, thanked us and gave a proud display of gratitude that made us all cry with joy at the end. Everyone refused to leave their seats as they were filled with euphoria and the endless joy of the experience. You are lucky enough to have an event like this once in a lifetime and I will be grateful for this opportunity until the day I die.
The entire area of the audience began to dissolve as people walked towards the exit, singing familiar hits in each other's arms that they had the opportunity to hear live today. The joy brought them together and reinforced their love for the music and each other. Michael's mission was accomplished - he delivered his message successfully with the final words "I love you!".
We struggled to survive on the way to the subway as there was an incredible rush of fans in the streets and on public transportation itself. My mom was crushing my hand with a firm grip so we wouldn't get separated again in that death wave. The chaos of everyone else still eventually got me into a crush that nearly trampled me on the escalator and pushed me into a doorway where I couldn't catch my breath and ended up with door frame imprints in my face. Ugh! That was a close call, but damn, it was worth it!
The experience of a lifetime was made and will remain in my memories forever!
The memories are priceless...
Even today, when I listen to his concert from a recording on the internet, it feels like yesterday. Goosebumps well up all over my body, tears spontaneously well up in my eyes, and memories come alive.
The love for a person that never fades.
I am writing this article in honor of my musical idol, whose legacy brought a love of music and life in general into my life.
The day he left this world forever was like a bad dream I couldn't wake up from.
The pain hit me so deep in my heart that I couldn't leave the house for days. I keep my collection of books, albums and clip cuts and DVDs as a treasure that is priceless!
I have added to my collection of treasures a tattoo of Michael Jackson on my wrist, which every time I look at it, I feel closer to him and that his legend is and will be eternal!
Are you a Michael Jackson fan? Have you had the opportunity to see him perform live? What memories do you have of him?
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