'Michael Jackson: The King of Pop' by Jel D. Jones, a self-described Jackson fan, is the ultimate groupie guide. It includes lyrics to some of his most popular songs, instructions on how to moonwalk, color photos, his loves and losses, and a list of his awards and achievements. In short, this is not a groundbreaking piece of literary work, but what separates it from other Jackson books is an illuminating transcript of his first live interview with Oprah Winfrey during Black History Month in 1992 in which he speaks of intense sadness and loneliness from a very early age. The interview also portrays a more confident man in spite of his self-induced physical transformation. Below is a partial transcript of the interview, which takes place at Neverland Ranch:

Oprah: Michael Jackson's house is nothing like anyone would expect. I thought there were going to be a few llamas walking around the living room and maybe some-uh-chimps jumping around. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of mind-boggling areas on this 2,700-acre ranch, which you'll see in the next 90 minutes. But, where Michael Jackson eats, and where he sleeps and where he lives is quite simply a beautiful home. There is a library here filled with leather-bound classics and art work on the walls, not at all what we thought we'd find. Before we meet the man who lives here, it's important to know where he came from, for his history is nothing short of incredible.

(video clip of Michael and his family as he grew up)

Oprah: Ladies and gentleman, Michael Jackson!

(Michael enters the living room)

Oprah: How nervous are you?

Michael: How what?

Oprah: How nervous are you right now?

Michael: I'm not nervous at all, actually.

Oprah: You really aren't?

Michael: No, I never get nervous.

Oprah: Not even for your first interview and it's live around world? I thought you'd be a little nervous, but if you're not and that's great because if you're not nervous I won't be nervous. I just wanted to let the world know that when we agreed to do this interview you said you would be willing to talk to me about everything.

Michael: That's true.

Oprah: Very true. I was watching you in the background there watching you in the video of the early years. Did that bring back memories for you?

Michael: It made me giggle because I haven't seen that footage for a long time. Did it bring back memories? Yes, me and my brothers who I love dearly, and it's just a wonderful moment for me.

Oprah: I saw you laugh when you saw yourself sing, "Baby, Baby, Baby.''

Michael: Yeah, I think James Brown is a genius, you know, when he's with the Famous Flames, unbelievable. I used to watch him on the television and I used to get angry at the cameraman because whenever he would really start to dance they would be on a close-up so I couldn't see his feet. I'd shout, "show him, show him,'' so I could watch and learn.

Oprah: So he was a big mentor for you?

Michael: Phenomenal, phenomenal.

Oprah: Who else?

Michael: Jackie Wilson, who I adore as an entertainer, and of course music, Motown. The Bee Gees are brilliant, I just love great music.

Oprah: When I look at those tapes of you, and heaven knows, putting this together I think I've seen every piece of video done of you, and watching those tapes when, especially in the younger years, you seem to really come alive on stage. Were you as happy off stage as you appear to be on stage?

Michael: Well, on stage for me was home. I was most comfortable on stage but once I got off stage, I was like, very sad.

Oprah: Really?

Michael: Yes.

Oprah: And sad from the beginning, sad since it first started, why so sad?

Michael: Lonely, sad, having to face popularity and all that. There were times when I had great times with my brothers, pillow fights and things, but I used to always cry from loneliness.

Oprah: Beginning at what age?

Michael: Oh, very little, eight, nine.

Oprah: When you all became famous?

Michael: Yes.

Reprinted with permission from Amber Books2

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