He was a young superstar talent performing with his brothers at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the 70’s. My brother and I were little brats hanging out backstage while our dad handled the PR for the Center.
While backstage, we were hanging out with Michael’s younger brother Randy. We were running around in the big rehearsal hall when Michael came in. He saw the piano in the corner and sat down at it. We sat next to him. He asked me if I knew how to play piano? I didn’t, so he started showing me. What a cool picture that would have made. Four young kids sitting on a piano stool playing.
A few minutes later, members of the Jackson family came in looking upset. You see, there were always security concerns when it came to Michael. He had left the dressing room and no one knew where he was. We knew, he was being a kid and having fun with us.
Once they realized everything was fine, they told the boys that it was time for dinner. They asked us if we wanted to eat with our new friends too. So the four young kids that were running around backstage went to the Green Room to have dinner. To this day, I even remember what we had. We had KFC (one of my favorites).
Even though I am sure Michael or his brothers would never remember this story, it is one of my childhood memories that will always stay with me. Just four young kids hanging out backstage on a piano stool and having fun like kids do.
Tags: Jackson family, Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
