Why I'm not going to see Michael Jackson at the O2.

Back in the day when I was at uni my mate regularly made me jealous by recounting the time he went to the MJ HIStory(see what he did there?) tour.

Now, I'm not as big a fan as this fella is, or was, but I want to make it clear before I go Jacko bashing that I consider his music to be some of the best sounds to be created by man since Onomatopoeia was invented.

So I have always said, after being all green-faced; that if the King of Poppers ever did a UK tour Id' be there in the queue with all those nutters who think they can Moonwalk. So I was, of course, was excited when this announcement was made I thought about it and decided not to go- I surprised myself.

The first reason I gave myself was that I've got a very expensive year planned and was already blowing monies on my first ever Glastonbury ticket. After years of wishing my little brother was taking me with him I am going and get excited every time I think about it. (like just then! wooo!)

The real reason, I've realised, is that I think it will spoil it all for me. After growing up with Thriller and Bad on vinyl, Dangerous on cassette and then HIStory on CD, I have the perfect sounds of his songs in my head (or on my walkman!) whenever I need them. If I saw an old, broken and sad looking Michael perform these songs, it might really ruin it for me. You know, shatter the illusion of the all powerful performer hidden within the obviously messed-up human being?

Compare it, perhaps, to asking Ali to step into the ring...

He was the greatest, and no-one can ever take away history. Ali is an extreme(+unfair) example, because of his illness, but I suppose I am scared that Michael will not fulfill the high expectations he has provided me with. But he does not seem the man he used to be, so is he the performer he used to be?

Then again, he could pull it out of the bag like Chris Moyles climbing a mountain and be amazing! He could be like willy wonka and hobble on to stage and then, whammo! Back flips and Moonwalks and fireworks! Oh darn it, maybe I do want to go after all? Anyone got a spare ticket?