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The night Sydney Devine shared a bill with Jacko

By Robert Wight

SINGING LEGEND Sydney Devine last night spoke of his sorrow at Michael Jackson’s untimely death.

The Scots crooner appeared with the Jackson Five at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre in 1977 as part of a special performance to mark the Queen’s silver jubilee.

Afterwards old “Steak ‘n’ Kidney” downed a bottle of whisky backstage with the talented brothers, except Michael who at 19 was below the US minimum drinking age.

Honour

“It was quite a show and some honour to sing for royalty,” said Sydney.

“The Jacksons seemed anxious at meeting the Queen. Allan Stewart and I cracked open a bottle and invited the four older lads back to the dressing room to share it.”

Also performing were Dolly Parton, Frankie Howerd, and David Soul, then the world’s biggest-selling recording artist.

But it was Michael and his brothers — Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon — who stole the show.

“They were phenomenal. I remember they did Rockin’ Robin and brought the house down. Everyone was on their feet and it was clear Michael was the favourite.

Blown away

“Even in rehearsals everyone was blown away. There hadn’t been a band like them before. They were so polished, not even The Osmonds came close.”

Sydney also arranged for his then 13-year-old daughter Karen to meet the boy who would become the “King of Pop”.

“Karen had her photo taken with him and was the envy of all her pals. Everybody loved Michael and even at that age you could see he was an immense talent.”

Sydney, who planned to attend one of Jackson’s London concerts, describes his death as a “JFK moment”.

“I was stunned to hear he’d died. He’s definitely one of the all-time greats and ranks alongside Elvis.

“His death is one of those events that will stick in the memory like the assassination of Kennedy or John Lennon.”

The King of Pop was fan of the Bard

By Murray Scougall

AFTER PLAYING his only solo show in Scotland 17 years ago authorities told him never to return, but that didn’t stop Michael Jackson planning to buy one of the country’s castles.

Jackson’s huge concert in Glasgow Green in August 1992 prompted a flood of complaints about noise and council chiefs said he wouldn’t be welcome back.

But in January 1997 he flew to Scotland alongside his pregnant wife Debbie Rowe and a huge entourage looking at properties.

He wanted to move away from California and used the upmarket Cameron House Hotel near Loch Lomond as his base.

Peter Fleming was executive chef at the hotel during the singer’s stay.

“He asked for a bowl of chicken soup,” he later said. “So I made him his chicken soup and he phoned me to say how great it was. 

“Then I got a call at home at 6 am the next day asking if I could make this soup again. I ended up having to explain to the breakfast chef over the phone how to make it!”

Jackson was reportedly interested in Glenmayne House in Galashiels and Invertrossachs House near Callander. Although rumours persisted for the next decade that Jackson intended to buy a home in Scotland nothing ever came of it.

Loved

But it wasn’t just the architecture and clean air that appealed to Jacko, he also loved Rabbie Burns. Jackson’s friend, David Gest, revealed last year that he’d made an album of the Bard’s songs and poems with the singer, though so far this hasn’t been released.

Gest said, “Our favourite poet is Robbie Burns. Michael and I were originally going to do a musical on his life with Gene Kelly directing and Anthony Perkins as executive producer but they both died. 

“So Michael and I put all the poems to contemporary music in his studio. We did Ae Fond Kiss, Tam O’Shanter and all that. I still have the recordings.”

One of the King of Pop’s favourite chefs also came from Scotland. Raj Bajwe, general manager of Cafe India in Glasgow, met him five times and also cooked for the star.

They first met in 1977 when the Jackson Five performed for the silver jubilee. Raj was working in another Indian restaurant and the Jacksons came in for a meal after their performance.

“His favourite dish was saag paneer, which is spinach cooked through with cheese. He also liked allo golu, a spicy potato dish. His team would watch us cooking his food in the kitchen and then we’d take it up to him.”