In 2010, Michael Jackson fan from New Zealand, Vanessa Wood, wrote an amazing fan book about her experience, with now husband Quentin, being a fan. While the book wasn’t wildly available, it is now on amazon!
Vanessa and Quentin Wood own one of New Zealand’s largest Michael Jackson collections. Being fans since their childhoods and later marrying, together following Michael Jackson on his HIStory Tour of 1996. Following Michael thru two countries, New Zealand and Australia, over one month, seeing a total of eight concerts. During this time, Vanessa kept a journal of the three months preparing for the tour and during the month following Michael.
During this time seeing Michael daily either in concert or outside hotels and attending public appearances, Michael acknowledged the couple during the tour in the most surprising ways, all captured in diary form.
Four months before Michael passed away, Vanessa began putting her diaries into a book. The book has 100 pages and full colour photos taken by Vanessa and Quentin.
In “From the Front Row,” Vanessa Wood has written a wonderful tribute to Michael Jackson, and she does it by showing the excitement and love he generated in his fans. For many, the diehard fans of Michael Jackson, the “mania” as it may be called, did not happen in the 1980s, but occurred in the 1990s. During both the Dangerous and HIStory tours, fans from around the world followed his every move. What Vanessa has written is an account of that time, a moment in rock-n-roll history that should not be forgotten in the legend that is Michael Jackson. For fans, it will bring back memories (both laughter and tears). For those who have never experienced such moments, you will live it with her, and her husband Q, as they witness each HIStory concert throughout New Zealand and Australia. Follow Vanessa and Q as they experience Michael Jackson live in concert, witness his public appearances firsthand, and enjoy the pandemonium at his hotels.
This book documents what it is like to be a fan … a devoted, real fan … not a “crazy,” but someone who is having a good time, appreciating the talents of the world’s finest entertainer. It should be on the bookshelf of every Michael Jackson fan.
Get your copy here.
