Michael playing the HIStory album for record execs, Rob Stringer, chairman, Columbia Epic Label Group

“Three moments: In the late `90s, five minutes before he went on at Wembley Stadium, seeing him in a small sidestage dressing room, in front of a mirror with light bulbs round it. It was a classic vaudeville image, which was poignant as Michael was the ultimate ‘entertainer’! Then, sitting next to him when he played us backing tracks from the “HIStory” album at a meeting in L.A.. We were expecting to hear vocals on the tracks but he sung along instead! [Lastly], seeing him in February this year in L.A. at an intimate disc presentation where he seemed happy and was singing along to ‘Single Ladies!’”