Five years of exhaustive research including interviews with more than 60 associates of one of the world's biggest pop stars has lead to the publication of a new biography of Michael Jackson by a Plymouth writer.
Mike Smallcombe's new book, Making Michael, explores the career of one of the most successful, enigmatic and controversial entertainers of all time.
It is a true labour of love, the product of over five years of exhaustive research into Jackson's career, personality and professional relationships.
As part of his research Mike interviewed more than sixty of Jackson's associates including managers, lawyers, music executives, producers, musicians and engineers - many of whom are speaking about their experiences publicly for the first time - providing exclusive access to one of the biggest-selling recording artists in history.
Mike, a former Plymouth University student and long-time Argyle fan, twice travelled to Los Angeles, 'The Entertainment Capital of the World', to conduct some of his interviews face to face, and to get a feel for the city where Jackson made most of his music.
In California Mike met up with Matt Forger, one of Jackson's longest serving and most loyal collaborators, who contributed a foreword to the book.
Making Michael takes readers into the studio with the King of Pop, charting the creation of record-breaking albums including Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory and the twists and turns that occurred along the way. Untold stories, revelations and secrets finally see the light of day as Jackson's career outside the studio is also examined.
Mike remains objective and doesn't shy away from exploring Jackson's ruthless traits, his addictions, his fall outs, the relentless pursuit of perfectionism, the financial chaos and those shocking final weeks.
Mike said: "The first question most people ask me when I speak about the book is, 'So are you a Michael Jackson fan'? The truth is, I couldn't have written this book if I wasn't inspired by his music.
"After Michael's death, I discovered that there wasn't a book based solely on the 45-year career of a man many believe to be the greatest entertainer of all time. Most of the books that were available focused on the trials and the tribulations.
"There were so many areas of Michael's career to explore, and several questions I wanted to find the answers to...how did Michael and his collaborators make these record-breaking albums...and what was Michael like as a person away from the public eye?
"Others gaps included Michael's fall out with Sony Music, his movie dreams, his work in those secretive last five years of his life and the preparations for This Is It, the tour he was preparing for when he died.
"The more I thought about it, the more confident I became that I could take on the challenge of writing this book which did not exist.
"I knew I had to offer something completely new, to discover the man Michael's friends and associates knew, and to uncover the untold stories and secrets behind this enthralling, yet turbulent career. The Making of Michael."
Making Michael is available now from retailers online including Amazon (RRP £11.99 paperback, £1.99 e-book limited time) and can be ordered at bookstores.
For more information on the book, visit makingmichael.co.uk
Mike Smallcombe spent his youth living in both Germany and Cornwall, before graduating with a degree in English Language from Plymouth University.
He then relocated to London where he completed his journalist training before returning to the South West, where he joined the staff at Devon and Cornwall Media.
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