The Day I Met Nine-Year-Old Michael Jackson

"One sultry summer night in Chicago around 1967, I was backstage at the Broadway Strand with my dance troupe, The Foscoettes. The Strand, as it was called then, was located on Chicago's West Side. On this night, it was transformed into a variety show space similar to the more famous Regal Theater. But most nights, it doubled as a skating rink."

"While the rest of us laughed and talked, Michael stood apart from the pack, looking down shyly at the floor. We signaled for him to join us, but he declined. Something about him reminded me of boys in my own family who were afraid to make eye contact. So I pulled on my duster to cover my leotards and walked over to Michael to engage him in conversation."

"He looked up, his eye catching my own. In that millisecond of exchange, it was clear that we trusted each other. I sat down, and we began to speak in low tones so as not to call attention to ourselves. I could sense from his smile that he felt more comfortable interacting in this way."

"As our conversation continued, I invited him to sit on my lap, as I would have with my own cousins or nephews. He complied. He looked at me with his big brown eyes, and we talked about dancing, singing, and whether it was scary to go on stage. I have to admit that I don't remember the entirety of our conversation, and it never occurred to me that I might be sheltering a kid who would grow up to be the most famous entertainer in the world, not to mention the undisputed "King of Pop.""

A Chicago variety show venue on the West Side served as a skating rink on other nights. Backstage, a dance troupe prepared to perform modern dance while other groups waited in a green room. “The Boys from Gary” included nine-year-old Michael Jackson and his older brothers, who were eager and playful. Michael initially stood apart, avoiding eye contact and looking down. A dancer approached him, covered her costume, and spoke quietly. Eye contact created immediate trust, and they talked about dancing, singing, and whether stage performance felt scary. The dancer invited him to sit on her lap, and he complied, seeming more comfortable with private interaction.

Read at Roger Ebert