| by:Margie De-Faria American Bandstand 50th Anniversary Pasadena's Civic Auditorium Host: Dick Clark April 20th 2002 I had my bags packed and everything was ready to go by 7:30 that evening Friday the 19th. My mind was racing and the anxiety levels in me were pretty high. Driving to Pasadena would only be an hour�s drive, but just waiting for everyone to arrive so we could leave was making me nervous. But finally everyone arrived on time and we now were ready to leave. At last I was on my way to see the "King of Pop. I put on the radio station to Dick Clark�s oldies but goodies station to put us all in the mood for the show. The evening was warm, and we had the windows open and we were singing our lungs out to the tunes playing on the station. It was as if we all had entered into a time machine where we could once again be kids and free and be happy just one more time. It didn�t take us long, the traffic wasn�t all that bad and we made it there by 11 p.m. Everyone was really tired, so we hit the hotel, showered and all went to bed. Saturday started out rather cloudy, but soon the sun broke and clouds disappeared and the day was warming up. I was rather tired, all night long the body wanted to sleep but the mind was on Michael Jackson mode. We got up got dress and set out to find the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Finding it wasn't all that bad, but knowing exactly which entrance to go to was, as there were many other functions going on that morning. Security was pretty much everywhere and I asked which entrance was the one for the American Bandstand show? The guard rather chuckled. I asked him "what�s so funny," oh he said, " nothing," and pointed to the other side of the stadium. Now I see why he was laughing, fifty fans had already been camping out and eating some breakfast, chatting with one another and just waiting. This was early 8 a.m. I asked one of the girls if they were there for Michael? The group all replied yes. I decided that we better go back to the motel and get changed. It looked as if the lines would get worse if we waited. We weren�t even gone an hour when already the increased to around seventy-five more new people. The young man who was the page said to get in the back of the line. There were fans from China, Mexico, Japan, USA, Spain and even Sweden lining up everywhere. The day was becoming warmer, and most of us wore basic black and wished now we didn�t as the sun was baking us. They�re were plenty of Cher�s fans lining up, but it was Michael�s fans that were pretty much the strongest supporters there. There was no doubt in my mind that a show was going to be cancelled. Somehow the fans knew that Michael would definitely be there, as if they had some inner connection with him. The whole experience was new for me not to mention exciting as well. One small group from Spain and from France came over to us all and told us Michael Jackson will be arriving soon and we are trying to gather up as many fans as we can to show him our support. He would really like this. So would any of you like to come with us and do this for Michael? Who was going to say no to that really? So some of us went with the group while the others maintained out space in line, while we followed these fans to the other side of the auditorium where Michael was to arrive. In the meantime, photographers, like hungry buzzards waiting for their meal, were watching us closely, as we all lined up against the mechanical fence. Once we settled down, and had our gifts in our hands they began taking pictures of us. One of the young guy made sure that I was in the picture, as he pulled me right in front with him. We held up our pictures and other gifts for Michael and the camera men snap with glee. Within minutes of this, the Mercedes drove up and then Michael stepped out, the fans began screaming and shouting towards Michael. Michael slowly got out of the car; two Samoan bodyguards stood at his side and one held an umbrella over his head. Michael then turned to us, and began waving. The photographers had a field day. Michael came a bit closer to us; someone handed him a white poster with children and babies on it, Michael nodding as he accepted it. I reached over and gave him one of my graphics I made and shook his hand, nodding back to him, as if addressing a Royal King. Then quickly went back to the center of the restricted area where other dignitaries and press were waiting for him. Suddenly the pages loudly announced that they were moving the lines and if we didn�t get back in line we�d lose our spaces and won�t see the show. As much as I hated to move away from where Michael stood, I didn't want to lose the chance of seeing him perform. All of sudden the crowd dispersed like mad, running in all directions. I had to remove my heels. One Japanese girl who was beside me, gave me some socks to put on, she told me to hold up my long dress to my thighs and we both started running. Giggling and laughing as we did. Then some one shouted, oh God, not this way, quick down the stairs and up the other way. All of us were running and jumping over small gates and down stairs to where the line was. I was laughing so much. Never in a million years did I think I�d be doing this kind of thing and loving every minute of it. I was so afraid I lose my step and fall down the stairs or something worse. By the time the two of us were back to the original lines we were breathing pretty heavily. We rubbed each other�s back and drank water to get back to norm. This was the best part of being here. The fans were so warm and friendly and just fantastic to one another regardless of our ages. It was now 2:30 p.m.; the lines started moving slowly in the direction towards the security checks. Those fans that brought cameras began ditching them into the bushes and handing their cell phones to their friends to put into their cars, while others were stuffed their cell phones down their pants. It was rather comical to view in a way. As pages went up and down screaming to �no cameras, no cell phones, no food are allowed into the auditorium.� The security checks weren�t all that serious; we went through them rather quickly actually, like cattle we were all herded into another line. Groups with mailed passes went to the left. The rest of us with the paper-computerized printed tickets went off to the right. We seemed to have stayed there for quite some time and not going anywhere. We could hear the music and we all assumed we weren�t getting in or were being bumped off to the next show. Suddenly I got brave and decided to ask one of the pages what exactly was going on. �Oh they�re rehearsing, they moved up to the show to 3:30 and the lines will be moving in about 20 minutes.� Another ten minutes went by; finally we all began to see movement into the building at last. This was it, the time had come, and we are going to see Michael. Oh my God it�s for real. I kept telling the girls I was with to keep pinching me, I thought I was dreaming, and we all giggled. One page was holding a counter, I thought oh God please don�t let me be the one who gets bumped off because there�s no room. Once I gave my paper ticket to the page I knew I was okay. I heard her say �okay that�s it for the bottom floor, now lets start with the balcony.� We were just three people away from being separated and being bumped to the balcony. Running now and not walking another page told us to quickly find any seat we wanted as long as it was empty. We all starting rushing down to isles watching that we didn�t hit our heads on cameras or trip over the long cords that were laying precariously all around the floors towards the center of the stage. The front center rows were filled with the former dancers of American Bandstand. The next two rows D, E, F, G was filled with Jackson�s fan club members. So we sat in row J, people were nice to let us slide into the rows to sit. Many of us were just so grateful to be just in and to be able to sit down at last. It was all so fascinating to me to see. I was like a child who just entered Disneyland. The center stage had the logo 50th Anniversary off to the right side of the stage, and to the left, small screen showed clips of the American Bandstand�s old shows. Center stage was a large screen showing more old clips like Diana Ross singing Baby Love, and then Marvin Gaye, but it was silent, you didn�t hear the music at all. Above the entire set was this huge lightening system that looked like a space ship, hanging ominously, occasionally flickering off it�s lights, like a prop out of the "Alien" movie. To the bottom left and right, smaller lights that first looked like dark miniature space men began slowly coming alive as their leader told them to bend and flip and shine their colors. The lights were blinding white, yellow, pink and blue. The heat from them all was intense, but the sides were even more intensive as they stayed on for some time. Finally, Dick Clark came out from the right side of the stage and he received a warm ovation. He looked really good, even better than what we�ve seen on television, still quite the handsome man he always was. With him he carried his infamous white microphone, as he began welcoming us all to the taping. Mr. Clark explained the taping procedures to us all, when to applause, cut it off and stand up, for Cher, who was the first guest up, when you hear the director end with four I want you all to stand and give her a warm welcome. Mr. Clark began reading the prompt, this big television screen in which I was sitting in front of, was rolling his script. � Sonny and Cher we�re unknowns, but tonight we are going to make history�� � let me introduce you to Cher." We all stood up and gave her a standing ovation. She then broke into her song. The audience all clapped and danced, following the beat of her music, as the swirling two cameras, like eagles swung down and through the crowded and over our heads through the entire performance. When she finished, we all gave her another long-standing ovation for her. Dick Clark went over to Cher and they both hugged one another, Cher thanked him and then exited off the stage. There was a break and the stage crew ran busily around the entire set setting back screens up for Michael and checking the pyrotechnics, lighting and other things. The moment I had been waiting for was about to happen. Dick Clark returns back to the side of the stages and once again explains to us how this performance was going to work. First he said, � we are breaking this into two, as it is very long. So don�t worry over not seeing the complete act? Once the tape is spliced together you will be amazed at how they did all this. The producer told Dick Clark to read the prompt again, but this time end with the Cher ovation and begin with Michael�s introduction. Dick tried four times to read the darn prompt but kept making mistakes. He started laughing and said, �this isn�t even funny enough to put into my Bloopers show.� Once he got it right we were told to do a basic clap, which ended Cher�s tape segment and now we were onto Michael. Dick Clark said to let him get through the introduction, then you all can go berserk all you want. The producer goes, �everyone get away from the screens.� These were the screens with the logos on them and the stage hands could be seen as shadows, especially when they were taping, and this made the director and Dick Clark angry. �Okay audience ready, everyone quiet, get off the stage if you don�t belong there and roll, one, two, three �and he point to us� clap �we all did it.� Meanwhile we all could see the shadows of Michael and his dancers getting themselves ready on the stage. Loud squeals could now be heard from the front rows. �Hold on now,� the director said. �Okay Dick, as he once again began reading the intro of how Michael began his start on his show� "Michael Jackson was his long time friend� he has practically grown up on this show��. � now for the moment you�ve all been waiting for� Michael Jackson!� The entire auditorium came alive, as fans screamed with sheer excitement, and shouted, "we love you Michael could be heard throughout the Civic Center. Outcry�s from the balcony above of love and adoration could also be heard everywhere. Fans began crying all around me, �Oh Michael we love you so much.� As the music to Dangerous began, its vertebrae began jolting the entire floor; the fans enhanced it more by stomping there feet in the balcony above. The loud beat sent chills throughout my body causing tears to welled up in my eyes. Every pulsating note, caused gyrating, screams, and chants of love as Michael flips his dancer on his back. He was dressed in a bright red leather looking shirt, black jacket and pants, wearing his infamous spats and fedora� tape on his fingers, giving us the solid stare� divinity in motion� is all I can say. The tears were streaming down my face; as I clapped and danced to the beat, watching the dancers orchestrated their dynamic moves across the stage. The audience even played with him, by shouting, �Dangerous�... he shouted louder ... �Dangerous�� about three times each time getting louder and louder. The well-choreographed segment was performed with precise movements that brought the crowd to total hysteria. Then his female dancer dressed in a dagger style body suit, slithered over to the center to antagonize her man, Michael. Michael moved in behind her and begins grinding his groin like a smooth criminal, dangerously she tosses one of her daggers down to the sound of broken glass and then� a loud boom�a flash and then smoke �sent us all further into a adulterer frenzy. The camera�s on either side swooped down across the front and of to the sides and above our heads, sweeping the audience and returning back again. You could hear the camera�s snapping, photographers twisting their bodies to get the perfect shot of Michael each time he moved. The added dimensions of the pyrotechnics enhanced the act and mood. Michael then s lips into a minor moonwalk, twirls around and then flips his hat out into the audience, grabs his crotch and tilts his pelvis out and ends with his arm out stretched, striking a pose, and ends the song. We all give him a wild long-standing ovation for this. Mike knew he had us all in his grips now and he wasn�t going to stop there. He turns to all of us and throws us a kiss and then walks over to Dick Clark and hugs him, telling him he loves him and slowly exits of the stage. While screams of adoration still can be heard all around. Club Fans begin gathering at the base of the stage with bunches of bouquets of flowers. The pages take them and back towards the front of the auditorium, where they went I don�t know. Meanwhile, Dick Clark reminds us that if this was up to Michael he would like to stay and do this all night. A squeal of delight was heard by all in the crowd when he mentioned this. But I don�t want him pushing himself, because he has a weak ankle and he�s really pushing it. But Michael being a perfectionist wants to do a second segment of the tape. We all screamed and clapped with delight to the sound of this. It�s up to him which one he wants and I told him he could do what ever he wishes. So there will be a fifteen-minute break while the pyrotechnics fix things and the stage crew cleans up and set up again. Michael wasn�t quite done with us and as we seen by the second taping it was even better than the first one. More intricate dance steps are done, and it ends with the infamous stage light shining solo on him. The roar of the clapping has Michael standing closer in front of us this time. He seemed so grateful and pleased that we enjoyed his performance, however how small it was. He threw us all kiss, puts his two hands together as if in prayer and bowed to us slightly. Once again, he walked slowly to Dick Clark and hugged him, and slowly walks towards the exit, he then turns to us all and waves just one more time before disappearing out towards the side of the stage where some blonde woman was waiting for him. He totally left us all �speechless! The tremendous support for Michael was just so wonderful by all of the fans and non-fans as well. It was truly unbelievable. While everyone was leaving for their break, the producer requested those fans that were still in the audience to gather right up front towards the stage so he could get some extra footage of us. He told us to scream and jump and act excited, while showing us Michael�s picture. Then once again the side camera�s all swung into action getting wide eyeshot of the audience. Then we all went for our break. The talk and chatter over Michael�s performance was heard all throughout the main quad of the auditorium. �Man I didn�t think he still do these things,� � No one can perform as good as Michael, he�s a top entertainer,� �He�s totally amazing, I�ve never seen him perform before live, I knew he was good, but man this guy is beyond good. He�s out of this world.� �No one can say Michael is all washed up, no way, he�s got much more tenacity going for him.� �He is invincible.� �Fantastic.� Dick Clark was seen having a photo shoot with his former dancers from his show. I though this would be a good time to speak with him about Michael Jackson. So I asked one of his dancers if I could speak with Mr. Clark. They called Dick, �another one your dancers wants a word with you.� So that�s when I ask about Michael and how he truly felt about him. Mr. Clark said, �Michael is and always be my dearest friend. Michael considers me a father figure, someone to look up to and respect. He is one of the finest entertainers in the business. He learned from the best and is still learning. No one could ever do what Michael Jackson has done over the years.� �I was so happy he did me the favor of coming tonight and I�m so happy the audience was so responsive to him as well.� I thanked him and shook his hand. I'm so glad to have had the chance to met with Michael, see him perform, and meet with such wonderful people from all over the world. The love was truly there in the audience before the show began and maintained for long time after the show had ended. A special thanks to Dick Clark for making this night so special for me, and for giving me the time to speak to him, even for a brief moment. |