JOE TAKES GUILT TO THE GRAVE
Hearing of the death of Joe Jackson, 89, brought back memories of an encounter with him during my time as an LA correspondent. The family were gathered at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas for The Jackson Family Honours, a strange affair which came amid Michael’s battle against child-abuse allegations. Mum and dad Jackson were doing just three interviews with US TV stations. As a UK broadcaster I wasn’t even on the list, so I masqueraded as an American NBC reporter who hadn’t yet turned up. (Can’t abide tardiness, can you?). I recall a defensive, sad, teary-eyed Joe Jackson, seemingly burdened with a guilt he couldn’t assuage. Peace at last, then, for him. Not, I suspect for the victims of his renowned abuse.