The ‘thriller’ genre in books and films can cover quite a variety of subject matter: crime, adventure, spies – the list goes on. But most people, when they hear or see the word ‘thriller’, automatically think of one person . . .

Thriller

Day 9 – Thriller

I’ve been a huge Michael Jackson fan since I was a kid. I used to bop around the lounge to ‘Rockin’ Robin’, ‘ABC’, and ‘I Want You Back’, and was glued to the TV watching the cartoon show about the Jackson 5.

Growing up with MJ’s music was wonderful. I loved discos and would always dance with gay abandon to any of Michael’s tracks that were played. The tracks from ‘Thriller’ were favourites, as was his ground-breaking music video. To this day, Thriller is still the best-selling album of all time.

It was always my dream to see him live and in 1992 I got my chance.

The big day arrived and I travelled to Wembley Stadium full of excitement. Even though I arrived four hours before the doors were due to open, it seemed everyone else had the same idea and the queue was massive. By the time I entered the stadium, the only places available were in the stands. I got as close to the front as I could while maintaining a great view.

When MJ danced onto the stage the atmosphere was super-charged. Everyone danced and sang along and at the end of the most amazing show I’ve ever seen, he strapped on a rocket pack, rose into the sky and disappeared.

It’s tragic he’s gone.