SCOTS fans have paid their own tributes to tragic superstar Michael Jackson.
SCOTS fans have paid their own tributes to tragic superstar Michael Jackson.
He last appeared in Glasgow 17 years when he his Dangerous world tour stopped off at Glasgow Green.
And his entourage booked all 16 rooms in the Devonshire Hotel in Glasgow's West End.
One woman who met him up close remembers the day as if it were yesterday.
Jeanette Montgomery, operations director at Mar Hall hotel in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, was then in charge of the West End hotel and quickly became one of his biggest fans.
She said: "There was quite a lot of hype at the time because he was such an icon and superstar.
"I was there to meet and greet him and he stayed for a week with us. He was very, very shy and introverted and asked a few questions about the hotel building. I think he was quite a deep person.
"But he was very easy to deal with and didn't have any special requirements. He wasn't demanding and was very polite.
"His visit was one of the highlights of my time there. I was never a Michael Jackson fan, but was given tickets for the concert, which was electrifying. I was at Take That last week but he was easily better than them.
"It's very, very sad that he's died at such an early age."
Other Scots fans had their own memories.
Jay Crawford, programme director for GMG Radio Scotland and chairman of the Scottish Radio Academy has been playing Jackson's records for decades.
He said: "For the 35 years I've been in radio, Michael Jackson has endured as one of the brightest stars in music.
"Leaving all the controversy aside, Michael will remain the King of Pop through the brilliance of his unique gift."
Tributes flooded in from early yesterday morning as news of the performer's death in Los Angeles from a suspected heart attack began to spread around the world.
Thousands of people swamped fan websites to leave their own thoughts on the passing of the King of Pop.
Glasgow Jacko fan Robert Coles wrote: "I'm absolutely devastated. I grew up listening to and watching Michael Jackson, it's so tragic that the legend has passed away."
Many of the fans had been hoping to attend one of Jackson's planned shows at the 02 Arena in London this summer.
But now the dream of hearing classics such as Thriller and Billie Jean live is over for tens of thousands of devoted admirers.
Fellow fan Alison Anderson, wrote: "I saw him live at Glasgow Green in 1992 and was due to see him again in London on August 26. Can't believe I won't see him again."
...but the show must go on
A WEST End theatre show which celebrates the songs and life of Michael Jackson will go ahead in Glasgow despite the tragic death of the singer.
Theatre bosses and organisers today confirmed Thriller Live, which arrives at the King's Theatre in Glasgow on Monday, will continue as planned.
The tribute show, currently running at the Lyric Theatre in London, will have a six-day run in Glasgow before moving on to Birmingham, The show is described as a spectacular concert created to celebrate the incredible career of what the promoters describe as the "world's greatest entertainer".
Tickets for the Glasgow dates had already been selling well and could be boosted by yesterday's tragic news from Los Angeles.
At the Lyric Theatre last night the shows organisers dimmed the house lights and held a minute's silence in Jackson's memory.
The devastated cast were today still shocked as they absorbed the sad news which could see the King's Theatre production become a sell out as music fans flock to the show to remember the singer.
A spokesman for West End producers and promoters Flying Music said: "The producers, cast and creative team on Thriller Live are deeply saddened and shocked at the news that Michael Jackson has passed away.
"Thriller - Live was created to celebrate the career of the world's greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop.
"After much deliberation, we can think of no greater tribute to the memory of the man and his incredible music than for performances to go ahead as planned.
"All of the Thriller Live cast, crew and production team send out their love to Michael's family and children."
A spokesman for the King's Theatre, where the star performed with the Jackson Five in 1970 and 1977, added: "As far as we are aware there's no changes."
