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June 25, 2009 | 4:28 pm

The Day I Sang for Michael Jackson

Posted by David Suissa

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“Sing me your favorite melody, David”, Michael Jackson said to me.

I was sitting alone with Michael in one of the many living rooms at his Neverland ranch in the summer of 2000, and we were talking about melodies.

I had come up to see him because we were planning to discuss him writing an article for our “Parents” issue of OLAM magazine. I spent a lot of time that summer hanging out with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (going with him to the Sydney Olympics, among other things) who everyone knew was close to Michael.

Shmuley, the great schmoozer that he is, told me that Michael “really loved” OLAM magazine, and that he might be interested in writing an original piece for the “Parents” issue.

So off we went to Neverland, with, of course, my two young daughters, Tova and Shanni.

On the way up, I played some old Michael videos (“Thriller”) to give my daughters a little education on someone who a decade earlier had been the most famous person on the planet. When we got to the ranch, we had to sign special papers at the main gate, and agree to take no pictures.

That’s too bad, because I could have taken some great shots at the moment Michael met my daughters. Shanni’s first question for him—before even how are you? or nice to meet you—was: “Is it true that you have rollercoasters?”

One of Michael’s handlers took my daughters to see the rides and the elephants, while the grown-ups sat down to talk. Shimon Peres’s granddaughter, Mika Walden, who would soon be working at my ad agency, came along for support. We talked about OLAM magazine and the special issue on “Parents”, as well as other projects that Rabbi Shmuley was working on with Michael.

The issue for me was, how candid would Michael be if he wrote an OLAM article about his childhood? The last thing I wanted (OK, not the last thing) was a puff piece with just a famous name attached.

Thanks in large part to Shmuley’s help, Michael came through with an honest piece. He fessed up to the lack of love he felt growing up, especially from his hard-driving father. But in the sweet, enchanted tone that he was known for, he also wrote lovingly of the little moments—his father putting him up on a little pony or getting him his favorite glazed donuts—that marked him growing up.

The day the issue broke, we started getting calls from People magazine and TV news shows who wanted to know how we got Michael to write for OLAM. We had our fifteen minutes of fame, but we didn’t divulge anything that was not in the magazine. That was our deal with Michael.

Beyond the article he wrote, what I will remember most is the moment we spent alone in his living room. By then Shmuley had gone to another part of the house for a meeting with Michael’s manager, and there I was, completely alone with the King of Pop.

I decided that I wouldn’t waste this moment with mindless chatter. So I thought of something he might be interested in that I felt passionate about, and I dove right in.

“I have always been madly in love with melodies”, I told him. “The whole idea of a beautiful melody blows me away. How can a certain arrangement of notes have so much power over me?”

“There are certain melodies that I cannot imagine living without”, I continued.

“They’re like a part of me. I surrender to them.”

By now I was kvelling and I couldn’t control myself—but I meant every word. At that moment, Michael, in his sweet, hummingbird voice, looked at me and said, “Sing me your favorite melody, David.”

And I did. It was an ancient Sephardic melody that Moroccan Jews sing only on Yom Kippur. It is my all-time favorite melody. Growing up, I would often cry when I would hear it. It’s the melody that has done the most to keep my emotional connection to my faith and my people. Today, I “cheat” and sing it before doing the Hamotzeh on Shabbat.

He had caught me off-guard. It was the only thing I could thing of singing. In the song, the lyrics describe Abraham’s apparent sacrifice of his son Isaac. At one point, the son asks innocently where his father is taking him, oblivious to the biblical drama that is about to unfold.

I sang for no more than a minute.

I don’t remember what Michael said after I finished. All I remember is that while I was singing, his eyes were closed and he was smiling.

18 Comments — Leave your comment

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I wish our horrible legal system had left him alone. I live here and it was really one CORRUPT man who wanted to make a name for himeself at Jacksons excpense. I hope that person leaves a legacy of FALSELY ACCUSING Michael Jackson. I myself have slept in the same bed as children, it comforts them in an unusual situation. If Michael was a pervert then I must be also.  To overcome all the obstackles than come with merely being born black is in itself cruel. Michael rose above them all yet was still harmed by persons that if you were to see personally as I have would know that what they were saying was false. THEY were the ones that were trying to make themselves something that they are not. As a 59 yr old lady I admire and respect Michael for all the good he did.

Comment by CoraMegan@Yahoo.com on 6/25/09 at 7:45 pm

While I sit here crying and remembering everthing that made Michael Jackson, I cannot question why he was taken from us, but treasure the day we will be singing with him in Heaven.
He is such a special person; I will always remember him. Our beginnings went back to the Osmonds and Jacksons; one on Ed Sullivan and the other on Andy Williams.  What a long journey this has been with these wonder people and entertainers.
My prayers are with his family.  Michael I love you.

Comment by Wilbur Watson on 6/25/09 at 8:35 pm

I am really saddened by such an unexpected passing as there were no follow-up of being ill leading to his death but I console myself with the scripture its appointed unto man once to die then after death comes the judgement,ONCE OUR HEARTS ARE AT THE RIGHT PLACE WITH GOD THEN EVERYTHING SHOULD BE ALRIGHT.

Comment by nadine brooks-wright on 6/25/09 at 9:04 pm

This world is a market place,every body come to buy when you are ok with what you self we go back where you come from.
This is his time,he came he saw and ruled over the pop world.
Lets pray for the children to be a reponsibe people on this world.
Farwell Jackson

Comment by Akahson on 6/26/09 at 4:06 am

He was a child molester that paid off his victim’s parents.

Comment by Nick N, on 6/27/09 at 8:37 am

what a sweet story, david - thanks for sharing! how nice to know about his connection to the jewish people.

Comment by michelle4jerusalem on 6/27/09 at 10:22 am

So david, what song is it? Which song did you sing for the child molester?

Comment by albert on 6/27/09 at 11:07 am

intimate connection, intimate memory, thanks

Comment by dee mitrowski on 6/27/09 at 5:35 pm

I found Michael to be beautiful inside and out.  I am thankful for the music he left behind and hope all of the judgemental people remember it is THEY who shall be judged.

Comment by cj bennett on 6/27/09 at 8:47 pm

Michael Jackson you leave us too soon , we still desire to hear your voice & your songs. Your song ” Heal The World ” hope can really heal & save this world. We really miss you… Rest In Peace Mike , Good bye….

Comment by Photos Michael Jackson Death Photos on 6/28/09 at 12:26 am

Thank you David for sharing such a sweet and profound memory with us. Of course I know exactly what melody you
are referring to, and often find myself humming it as well.
May he rest in peace.

Comment by Sarita Dery on 7/02/09 at 11:44 pm

Sing me your favorite melody, David,” Michael Jackson said to me.I was sitting alone with Michael in one of the many living rooms at his Neverland ranch in the summer of 2000, and we were talking about melodies.baby travel strollers

Comment by baby travel strollers on 7/05/09 at 11:14 pm

This world is a market place,every body come to buy when you are ok with what you self we go back where you come from.
This is his time,he came he saw and ruled over the pop world.
Lets pray for the children to be a reponsibe people on this world.
Farwell Jackson.baby jogger strollers

Comment by baby jogger strollers on 7/06/09 at 4:20 pm

I am so sad about Michael’s tragic death. I had to write a Tribute song and now you can download it for Free and share it with all your friends. Let’s all sing this song for Michael together. He is the Angel of our time!
http://zindy.com/Angel_Of_Our_Time_Master.mp3

Comment by Zindy on 7/08/09 at 11:47 pm

With all of the sadness that I have felt in the last few days, it’s nice to read something that isn’t plagued with drama and saga that the madia uses to get the attention of people. Thank you for sharing and I can only hope that people wake up and stop judging each other. How did we become this?

Comment by Lyn DiMartino on 7/09/09 at 5:58 pm

This is just an idea from me; please if you’re gonna answer this or make a comment just don’t be rude.
My idea is: when the day comes Michael Jackson’s is going to be buried; please wear a ribbon around your right arm just as he used to wear it.
Lets honor the day when we all are going to say good bye to The King Of Pop..
Proud to be Michael Jackson’s Fan.
Love you Michael and I miss you so much.improve golf swing

Comment by improve golf swing on 7/13/09 at 9:50 pm

I’m all in! If this is something that everyone wants to do, we should send it out.

Comment by Lyn DiMartino on 7/14/09 at 12:08 pm

Nick, you are very wrong in your accusations.  I wish more people would take the time to really get to know who Michael was and educate themselves on the truth and would stop spreading lies and untruth.  Too many people just repeat what they see, hear and read in the media and tabloids and much of that is not true.  I’ve worked in media and have seen the bias firsthand.  Read what Michael wrote.  “Moonwalk” and “Dancing the Dream.”  Get to know who he really was (you’ll be surprised).  Get and read Aphrodite Jones’ book “The Michael Jackson Conspiracy,” and Geraldine Hughes’ book “Redemption.”  These are people who have first-hand accounts with the cases.  Geraldine was the legal secretary of the lawyer of the 1993 accuser’s father, and she witnessed first-hand the extortion.  Aphrodite covered the 2005 trial and is a New York Times best-selling author who covers a lot of high profile cases.  There is truth out there.  More people should seek it rather than spreading lies and making uneducated comments.

Comment by Debbie on 8/23/09 at 10:06 am

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