The AZ Insider: Michael Jackson Snuck into AZ - Arizona Foothills ...

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The AZ Insider: Michael Jackson Snuck into AZ. Written by Written by Kathy Shayna Shocket. Kathy Shayna Shocket has the inside scoop on celebirty news and ...
"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket

Kathy Shayna Shocket has the inside scoop on celebirty news and Arizona's social scene Exclusive- Michael Jackson snuck into Phoenix with elaborate disguises.. how I met Michael and more..

In 1990, when rumors swirled that Michael Jackson’s pet chimp Bubbles had died, his then publicist, Lee Solters told the press, “When Bubbles heard about his demise he went bananas.” Lee, a godfather and mentor to me, was the famous personal publicist for Frank Sinatra for 26 years and Barbara Streisand for 30 years. (Not to mention Dolly Parton and Led Zeppelin and countless other superstars.) It’s how I had the chance to first meet Michael Jackson. We were i1n Pasadena for the private debut of a musical in which Michael had a financial stake and had helped produce the score. Michael arrived 4 hours late and held up the entire evening’s schedule. I spent most of the night in Lee’s shadow, pacing, waiting to see if Michael would actually show. A familiar pattern when Lee was trying to juggle his client and the press. (Below is a photo of Lee and I that night. Notice his tie is untied.)

Lee and I in the green room waiting for his then client Michael Jackson Sadly, we lost Lee last month. He was 89, but still working full time six months before he passed. The Tony Awards paid tribute to Lee during last month’s live awards broadcast. Yes, the press adored the publicist with the raspy thick Brooklyn accent , known for his great quotes. But Lee’s lips were sealed about Michael avoiding the press, often traveling in disguise. This week after the world was stunned at Michael Jackson's sudden death- I chatted with Michael Jackson’s cousin C. J. Jackson. C.J., now a financial consultant who has memories of Michael’s visits to Phoenix and how the King of Pop had elaborate disguises. “He would have mustaches, wigs and even fat suits,” says C.J. “They were great disguises. The last time Michael was here was after the trial in 2000.”

Lee with Barbara at one of the many movie premieres Lee, no stranger to celebs in disguise, was often with sunglasses and large scarves.

Barbara Streisand when she tried to shop in public incognito, wearing hats,

Many of those who worked and learned the biz from Lee, became industry titans, including Sid Ganis, presdent of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “He gave me my first job in 1959,” says Sid, also currently President of Out of the Blue Entertainment based at Sony Pictures. (The Hollywood heavy was also the President of the Paramount Motion Picture Group.) Below is a photo of Sid with wife Nancy Ganis. The talented couple’s teamwork is reflected in the award-winning movie they produced - “Akeelah and the Bee.”

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"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket

Sid Ganis and Nancy Ganis at Oscars Sid’s first job, was as an office boy at Lee’s office, at a time when Lee was helping to promote major Broadway musicals. “ I did everything from office chores, to running around town to all the Broadway theatres, having a chance to learn the business,” he says and jokingly points out he was doing the job that today is done by faxes, through emails, and cell phones. Lee’s Life was a Symphony of Clients Lee Solters helped publicize hundreds of Broadway musicals, including the original production of Funny Girl, The King and I” and My Fair Lady. Lee loved music. Lee- we all miss you everyday!

Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer, Photographer and TV- Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. She's a former TV Reporter who's written for publications such as TIME Magazine, Money Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine,The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. You can reach her at

[email protected].

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