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"Valentine" Magazine Message

Date of publication confirmed in Chris Cadman’s “Michael Jackson the Maestro”

Michael Jackson, Chris Cadman’s “Michael Jackson the Maestro” (article transcript)

Welcome!

A few of you seem to have caught up with the rumors that were going around about Jackie possibly getting engaged. Well, I can tell you at this point in time it doesn’t seem very likely. The full story started quite a few months ago when we all got done up in our tuxedos and frilly shirts for a special night out. On that occasion, Jackie met up with a 22-year-old charmer called Debraca Foxx. She’s the daughter of Red Foxx, one of the stars in the American version of your “Steptoe” program - it’s called “Sanford and Son” out here in L.A. Debraca and Jackie get along just fine and they’ve been seeing quite a lot of each other. She runs a record shop of her own and often pops into our home to let us know how the latest J5 releases are selling. As to those rumors, I think it’s just a case of Jackie having found someone he likes to be with. It certainly doesn’t appear to be a serious thing.

[A fan, Patsy White] wrote to ask me what I do when I’m feeling down in the dumps. Fortunately those moments don’t come along too often, Patsy, but when they do, I really enjoy a trip to a cartoon theater on my own. Nothing like a string of cat and mouse “funnies” to put a smile back on your face, is there? As I say though, it’s rare for me to be that down. I spend a lot of time joking and teasing with my family. For instance, a favorite prank of mine at the moment is looking up a really long word in the dictionary. You know, something with about 30 letters in it, and then what I do is get in a casual conversation with, say, my Pa. I let the chat go along smoothly and then suddenly let this gigantic word drop out of my mouth as though I know exactly what it means. It’s great to watch your victim gasp with amazement. The real trick is not to giggle and give the game away. Try it sometime and remember to keep a serious face all the time.

The best letter of the week award goes to Joanne Beddon...who sent a card in to tell me about one of my most UNUSUAL fans to date. Evidently her pet budgie digs the J5 and can even sing “Rockin’ Robin”. You must send me a tape of it, Joanne: maybe I can get [the budgie]  recording contract. At the same time, send us your full address because you left it off your postcard. Can’t send you your prize otherwise, you see!

Thanks for being with me, hope you’ll all be here again next week.

Love,

(Michael Jackson Signature)