Michael Jackson Behind Closed Doors

After Michael Jackson's death, I recalled seeing photos of him on the wall of Tina Solomon's shop. One of them was signed to her daughter, " To Sarah Solomon with Love, Michael Jackson". I wanted to know more, so Tina invited me to her home.

When I arrived she showed me a large bag. Inside were photos, letters and all kinds of Michael Jackson stuff. I hit the jackpot!

Me: So you are a Michael Jackson fan.

Tina: I like Michael for the person he was, not so much as the superstar.

Me: I noticed the dates on the stuff in the box, was from 1989 to 1990. Is that when you met Michael?

Tina: No, it was back in 1970.

Me: That far back?

Tina: Yeah, I was one on the first people to get a job at the Riverfront stadium. That year the Reds were playing in the World Series. They had hired more people to work there for the series and the ones who been there the longest got to work the blue section. Frankie and I got to work the guest room.

The Jackson 5 was there to sing the Star Spangled Banner but did not know the words to the song.

Frankie and I had went into the room and found Michael sitting on the floor crying. I just could not stand seeing this little boy scared like that. He wanted me to go away, but I couldn't. Frankie was all for leaving, but I could not just walk out on the kid.

Frankie tried singing the Star Spangled Banner, but he did know all the words. I knew the words but I made a mess of it too. Frankie started making fun of me and I took a pillow off the couch and threw it at him and missed. He picked up another pillow and smacked me good. Michael started laughing at us, so I smacked him with a pillow. Next thing I knew the three of us were having a pillow fight.

Soon these dudes came in and ran Frankie and me off. On the way out the door, Frankie told Michael if you don't know the words, fake it. Well, the Jackson 5 did an OK job and Frankie and I lost our jobs.

Me: So how did you meet him at Record One?

Tina: My ex-husband was a sound tech at the studio. I was in and out of the place with my daughter and knew most of the people who worked there. By the time Michael booked the place, it was not a big thing to see Sarah and me hanging around.

Me: Did Michael remember you?

Tina: No. Not until later.

Me: What happened?

Tina: Michael, Sarah and some other kids were in his office there, drawing and coloring. One of the staff kept coming in and trying to talk Michael into going into the studio and getting some work done. Michael wanted to stay with the kids. Someone else came and tried to talk Michael into going to work. Michael would not listen. After the person left, I took a pillow from the floor and hit Michael with it. If looks could kill, I would be dead. I asked him if he want to sing the Star Spangled Banner. And if he didn't know the words, fake it. He was so cute when he smiled. I took a chance and he remembered. Then told the kids he be right back and went off to the studio. I packed up Sarah and went home. We were asked to come back the next day.

Me: Then what happened?

Tina: Then it was not time for Michael to be in the studio, we watched movies or cartoons. "Who framed Roger Rabbit" had just came out and we watched it.

Me: Tell me about those photos.

Tina: Those are rejects form photos that were taken in his office.

Me: And the photo of Michael in your shop?

Tina: Sarah use to have at least a haft of dozen of them. They were like thank you cards. I gave him a stuff toy of Roger Rabbit. He gave her a photo. I gave him a VCR tape. He gave her another photo and so on.

Me: He like toys?

Tina: I never saw him play with toys. He did collect small action figures. He kept them in a large glass display case. In on of those photos you can see want I mean.

Me: You said he like to draw and color with the kids.

Tina: Yes. He got my daughter interested art.

Tina showed me a web site called "michaekjacksonart.com" Go to the bottom of the page to "Select Category." There was a long list of artist. Towards the bottom was "Drawings Created by Michael Jackson." There is over a dozen drawing by Michael. Only one had a title, "Childhood."

As I looked at the drawing my mind went back to what Tina said about the 1970 World Series and Michael. As I read the words Michael wrote on the drawing, I felt so sad. Go look for yourself.

Let peace be with you, Michael.