by Jamie Clubb

Created on: February 12, 2010   Last Updated: February 13, 2010

I cannot see any obvious connection between the circus culture I grew up around and my childhood/young teenage stint as a Michael Jackson fan. However, “The King of Pop” – as he was dubbed by actress and friend, Elizabeth Taylor - was always going to be liked by most circus people. Michael Jackson ticks the “good performer” criteria boxes with circus folk. He could dance, he could legitimately sing, he could play musical instruments and, above all else, he could put on a show! Furthermore, Jackson was a regular visitor to circuses and, according to one source, even toyed with the idea of buying

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Jackson was also born into showbusiness and worked in the industry in front of audiences in his childhood. Circus people could empathize with the hard work of continual practice he endured as a child.

They could also relate to the controversy and apparent persecution he suffered at the hands of the media. Nevertheless, my interest in Michael Jackson’s work happened completely outside my circus life. It occurred when I was at school when I had a bit of hiatus away from the culture I born into.

Michael Jackson versus Richard III

In 1988 I was given an unusual history homework assignment. We were studying Richard III, one of England’s most controversial monarchs, and the assignment required us to write two short essays giving opposing views on the Yorkist king. However, we had an especially cool history teacher at that time and being keen to rouse our young pre-pubescent minds he gave us an alternative option for our essay subject. Instead of writing two essays on Richard III we could write two opposing views on Michael Jackson. Unsurprisingly, as children are want to do, most of the class flew in the face of what our teacher thought was a popular option and wrote about the former Duke of Gloucester rather than the current King of Pop. I have always loved history and in years to come I would enjoy studying Richard III both as an actual historical figure and as the fictitious Machiavellian villain in Shakespeare’s tragedy. However, at the time I couldn’t resist writing about my then favourite pop star.

Looking back, the purpose of that assignment was not far from the task many journalists were given when Michael Jackson was confirmed dead on 25th June 2009. Michael Jackson now strikes a massive division between many people and sometimes in individuals. An unlikely controversial

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